Being an entrepreneur is empowering, but it can also be incredibly challenging. When you’re the one driving the vision, it often feels like you are walking a lonely path, unsure of your next step and wishing you had a team to share both the highs and lows. I experienced that support in Sydney with my team, and I loved it. But after moving to a new country, it’s easy to find yourself feeling a little isolated. That’s why building a support system isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.

This week, I had the privilege of attending the CRIB Women’s Retreat at Montigo Resorts, Nongsa, Batam. Imagine whitewashed villas perched on a hill with stunning sea views, with Singapore’s skyline and MBS in the distance, creating a sense of connection to what led me here in the first place. The setting was as divine as the agenda, the company and the food (the Japanese restaurant on the last day was a true treat).

The retreat gathered over 40 remarkable women entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries—skincare experts, fashion designers, interior designers, wealth managers, dentists to makeup artists. What truly stood out to me was how, despite our different fields, we all shared similar struggles and triumphs in our entrepreneurial journeys. More importantly, we were all eager to help one another succeed.

CRIB (Creating Responsible and Innovative Businesses) was founded in 2014 by Dr. Elaine Kim, Tjin Lee, Mei Chee and Marilyn Lum with a mission to empower women entrepreneurs by building a strong, supportive community. They understood that entrepreneurship can often be a lonely road and they wanted to create a space where women could grow, uplift one another and succeed together. This retreat marked CRIB’s 10-year anniversary and the bonds we formed were truly unique and only possible by stepping away for 2 intense days.

During the retreat, we had the pleasure of learning from two outstanding speakers:

• Sha-En Yeo, a happiness scientist, 2x TEDx speaker and LinkedIn Top Voice, who shared practical, science-backed strategies from positive psychology to bring more joy into our personal and professional lives. Her passion for empowering others was truly infectious.
• Peilin Lee, an Enneagram and NLP coach, took us on a journey of self-discovery through the Enneagram. She gave us fresh insights into leadership and communication that really resonated with everyone. (BTW, I’m a 7—still on the hunt for a 5 out there to balance me out!)

But beyond the speakers and sessions, what made this retreat truly special was the sense of connection. From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by women who not only understood the unique challenges of entrepreneurship but also genuinely wanted to see each other succeed.

One of my biggest takeaways from the retreat is that no matter how independent or self-reliant we are, we all need a tribe. We need people we can turn to when things get tough, who offer new perspectives and who cheer us on when we achieve something great. In Australia, I had my community through the Australian Made Collections initiative, but finding that sense of belonging in a new home can feel daunting. Thanks to CRIB, I now have a circle of supportive women in Singapore that I can lean on for business advice, creative collaboration, or simply a friendly voice on a hard day.

A huge thank you to Venetia from Peridot for inviting me into this beautiful gathering of powerhouse entrepreneurs and helping me connect with such inspiring women.

If you’re navigating the entrepreneurial journey on your own, I highly encourage you to seek out a group like CRIB. Yes, it can feel intimidating at first, and yes, it might be awkward—but trust me, the rewards far outweigh the initial discomfort. Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. With the right community, you’ll find that not only can you face the challenges—you can truly thrive.

Big love,
Aisha xox