MEET LIM SIM HUEY

ON RECOGNISING HER VALUE AND DISCOVERING HER POTENTIAL

“My crazy is embracing the belief that change is the only way to growth.”

Everybody has a story and when you listen to Sim Huey describe her pursuits and experiences, you will notice that lifelong learning is important to her. As a Portfolio Manager at a consulting and marketing agency and as a young entrepreneur, she has a captivating pull of energy that emulates as she tells us her story! Learn about how this young lady has spun her own life through recognising her value.

MY STORY IS …

My name is Sim Huey and I was born in a small town called Malacca, Malaysia. From being a friendly scooper at an ice cream joint to driving a purpose-driven ecosystem, I am proud of my growing career as a communicator. Two years ago, I made the big leap over the small causeway to build a life in Singapore. 

Fast forward to today, I am a self-taught designer, unashamed of my bias towards minimalism because I believe that negative space is not just a visual technique but respect for one’s agency to think and respond to the work.  My passion for women’s fashion and finding new ways to get into consumer conversations led me to launch my side hustle -  OnTheCollar, through which I get to share my love for accessories with women in the familiar pursuit of bigger dreams. 

I may be away from my hometown but I keep with me a dogged belief in hard work and family as my pillars of strength and happiness. Frankly, my story isn’t like most. Fortunately for me, I live a normal life, where my parents are still happily married, siblings with whom I can get along, close friends that I still talk to and a loving partner that I actually won't want to kill! All thanks to my dad, who played a huge part in shaping the way I think, observe, behave and decide. 

As an entrepreneur, my dad introduced me to hard work and resilience. He said, "if you want something badly, you have to work hard for it, no matter what”.

As a leader, he introduced me to empathy and kindness. He said, "we need to be sensitive and understand why people do what they do. Try your very best to help because the ability to give is a blessing”.

As a father, he introduced me to loyalty and love. He said, "If you truly love something, naturally you will be committed to it, especially for the people you love, including yourself”.

The only thing that my dad expected of me, is to be a human – not a doctor, a lawyer, or an accountant, but to be kind and compassionate no matter where I go. However, right till when I graduated high school, I realised that I haven't been able to fully understand the lessons that my dad had tried to teach me. So, I had asked him if I can move away from home. That's when I enrolled at Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur. For five years, I've lived alone but somehow remained comfortable still. My parents paid for my rent, provided me with a brand new car for my travels, as well as allowances that satisfied my everyday needs. 

I had nothing to fight for. My growth was stagnant. That's when I knew I needed a change. 

In 2018, I had decided to take the leap and move to Singapore. Honestly, it has been hard. I hate waking up in the morning for work. I hate walking under the hot sun. I hate taking public transport. I hate standing in the crowded buses and trains during peak hours. I hate paying for rent and my ongoing debts. I hate doing the laundry and every other chore that comes with it.

But because of these personal struggles, the values that my dad taught me are starting to make sense and for the first time in my 25 years of life, I feel fulfilled by how far I have come — loud and proud. Since then, not only have I grown personally and professionally, but I've also learned so much about myself. 

I am capable of change. I have a long road ahead of me. But as long as I stay true to myself and stick to the values my dad imparted to me, I am ready for whatever comes my way.  And you should too. 

Can you tell us more about OnTheCollar and what do you hope to achieve with your brand?

OnTheCollar is my side hustle, born out of my love for fashion and beauty. While accessories are not the primary focus, it is an integral part of fashion. It completes our outfits and changes the way we look. With that said, I strongly believe that accessories can be the main source of boosting confidence, especially among women.  And I want to be able to share that – with the understanding that confidence is always a work in progress. Hence, whether you're in the pursuit of love, happiness, wellness, health, or wealth. OnTheCollar is made to uplift and celebrates every woman’s ever-evolving sense of self through conscious designs.

What is your approach when it comes to self-care and mental health?

I am no expert when it comes to self-care and mental health as I was diagnosed with panic disorder sometime in September 2019. It was so severe that I couldn’t get out of the house. Naturally, I would take last-minute medical leave for a week straight and my employer started to question my absence and behaviour. Lucky for me, they were very understanding and had referred a counsellor to me and ultimately a doctor with a background in psychiatry as well because counselling just didn’t work well enough for me.

That’s when she had diagnosed me with panic disorder and I was prescribed antidepressants to treat both the anxiety and depressive symptoms that I have.  Yes, I am still on my medication and there is no shame in admitting that. So here is my advice to those who are in a similar situation: seek professional help and acknowledge what works and what doesn’t for YOU.

Everyone is different and you shouldn’t be afraid to speak up and seek help to find the best coping mechanism for your condition.

Perhaps, this could also be a form of self-love!

If someone is faced with a challenge and looking for insight to move their life forward - where should they begin?

Start with the people you love and who believe in you. For me, my family is my pillar of strength and confidence.  My mum, for example, is the strongest person I know. She was diagnosed with Stage 2, nasal cancer in 2017, a day before she turned 43 years old, which led her to severe depression and anxiety. With her learnings and battles, she has always given me the best advice and always goes above and beyond for me. She also knows me best. 

So, look for someone like that – someone whom you can trust and look up to. Whether they’re your father, mother, sister, brother, grandma, grandpa, cousin, aunt, uncle, boyfriend, girlfriend, or mentor, don’t be afraid to turn to them for advice. Meaningful relationships are your greatest resource for support.  

Do you have any advice for people who want to take that leap for something that they have always been passionate about but are afraid to do so?

GO FOR IT! Don’t wait for opportunities to come around, create and make it happen!

What would be the one piece of advice you would give your younger self now?

No matter where you are and what you do in life, work hard for your goals, be true to yourself, and treat people with kindness. 

photography Revathie Dhanabalan