Stacy Chow 34, Single mother at 17, then married another man wants you to buy her breast pump. Would you?

[SBFNews]

https://www.todayonline.com/profile...e-mum-now-i-run-company-helps-mothers-1950166

Gen Y Speaks: I was a dropout and a teenage mum. Now I run a company that helps mothers​

Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAYMs Stacy Chow, 34, is the founder of Baby Express, which sells affordable breast pumps to working mothers.

BY STACY CHOW
Published July 24, 2022
Updated July 25, 2022

Dropping out of school, staying out late, and having a boyfriend at 17, I was labelled as a “problematic child” with no future. Then just when I decided to turn my life around, I found out I was pregnant.

Being a mother is a challenge, but being a teenage mum was definitely difficult. Everyone around me seemed to keep telling me how much of a disappointment I was and it really made me feel bad about myself.

My parents finally came around and respected my decision to have my baby and they supported me in every way they could.

I was still living with my folks. We’re not from a wealthy background but they supported me financially and helped me prepare for the birth of my baby.

I then met a loving and kind man, and we got married in my 20s. I worked in several jobs then — from events to corporate sales.

​

I went on to have three more children. When I was pregnant with my fourth child, I required a lot of bed rest and became a stay-at-home mom.

I had planned to go back to the workforce once I had recovered from giving birth, but I wondered how I would be able to breastfeed and work at the same time.

After scouring the internet, I realised that I could not find a portable breast pump in Singapore. This was around late 2018.

There were options available in the United States but they were very expensive, at around S$300 to S$800.
I managed to find a small breast pump, but that, too, needed to be connected to a power bank to function. And there were so many tubes, which made it a hassle as well as dangerous to drive and pump.

Now I do not advocate driving and pumping. However, being a working mother, I understand the need to express when your body is telling you to. Also, you need to ensure your baby has a sufficient supply of milk for daily consumption and back-up.

As time is so limited, many mothers like me will multitask, drive and pump, or find a quiet room in the office to pump.

That was when I felt I needed to start my own business of making breast pumps.

I invested S$2,000 of my own savings (well, the kids’ savings) into the venture, which I called Baby Express.

Working with a reliable but small factory, we conceptualised the design and I personally tested the product.

Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAYGen Y speaks writer and Baby Express founder Stacy Chow, 34, poses a photo with her products on July 14, 2022.

Once I was satisfied that the product was safe, I gathered my group of mummy friends and conducted a market research study.

With their feedback, we fine-tuned the design.

​

When I was finally confident, we launched Baby Express — a portable and wireless breast pump with no obstructive wires — in August 2019.

We are not a pioneer in the market as there are other portable breast pumps available in the US already, but our goal was to create something affordable yet reliable.

Our breast pump starts at S$89, as compared to other brands which cost a few hundred dollars at least.

I recruited my friends who were mothers to help with sales and promotion. I provided flexible working hours so they can better care for their children and earn money as well through an affiliate programme.

MOVING FORWARD​

Somebody once asked me: ”Is it really necessary to get your O-Levels and diploma?” I dropped out of Secondary 3 in Singapore when I was pregnant and wasn’t able to find the time and money to complete traditional tertiary education as well.

But I think improving oneself is always about moving forward.

​

With that in mind, I took another step: I saved up some money and studied for a business certificate at a private school and went on to take courses like digital marketing. I am also a certified lactation consultant and postpartum doula.

Breastfeeding is still a very conservative topic in Singapore and other Asian countries.

Even with many online groups and forums, many mothers are hesitant to reach out as they are afraid of being criticised or judged, or receiving wrong information.

Many people don’t realise that not all women or mothers can breastfeed naturally.

We all know breast milk contains the best nutrients for our babies, but not all of us are able to for a variety of reasons: Breast cancer, breast engorgement, sore or cracked nipples, mastitis, baby not latching on properly, etcetera.

Breast pumping helps you obtain the milk needed for your baby without needing to go through the challenges of breastfeeding.

Being a certified lactation consultant and a mother, I understand the challenges of breastfeeding, and being a working mother, I empathise with all other working mothers out there — juggling all the hats we have to wear on a daily basis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stacy Chow is the founder of Baby Express, which sells affordable breast pumps to working mothers.

 

[syed putra]

Maybe got malay dna?

 

[Scrooball (clone)]

Lol what has my buying decision got to do with her status as single mum?

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

Let me share another mum entrepreneur
https://vulcanpost.com/797791/debbie-soon-the-starry-co-jewellery-singapore
not sure @sweetiepie 's uncle think kym??

 

[laksaboy]

The propagandists are trying to normalize and glamorize women like her by featuring some cherry-picked 'success stories'. Don't be fooled.

 

[Focus]

Many ah-soh businesswomen online these days

 

[gingerlyn]

 

[red amoeba]

That face look like gui. Very apt for this month.

 

[Rogue Trader]

That face look like gui. Very apt for this month.

I agree. 34 yo but looks like menopausal. Must be a heavy smoker

 

[laksaboy]

I agree. 34 yo but looks like menopausal. Must be a heavy smoker

View attachment 154442

Smoking meat cigars?

 

[sweetiepie]

Let me share another mum entrepreneur
https://vulcanpost.com/797791/debbie-soon-the-starry-co-jewellery-singapore
not sure @sweetiepie 's uncle think kym??

KNN as my uncle said before and will say again KNN
Debbie looks of course verlee ky
Her daughter also 及cute 一下
But is her ex husband still alive? KNN
If still alive my uncle wouldn't want to takeover the duty to rear someone's else's child no matter how ky the mum is even if she is entrepreneur or no matter how chio she is KNN my uncle is verlee clear minded objective person KNN

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

If still alive my uncle wouldn't want to takeover the duty to rear someone's else's child no matter how ky the mum is even if she is entrepreneur or no matter how chio she is KNN my uncle is verlee clear minded objective person KNN

Dear sweetiepie, please tell your uncle, if like to drink milk, don't need to buy the whole cow home!!!

 

[sweetiepie]

Dear sweetiepie, please tell your uncle, if like to drink milk, don't need to buy the whole cow home!!!

Unfortunatelee most cows would want you to buy cow home with freebie cow. My uncle kana before also . Twice in his life (soon par) both sinkies cow bu KNN

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

Unfortunatelee most cows would want you to buy cow home with freebie cow. My uncle kana before also . Twice in his life (soon par) both sinkies cow bu KNN

your uncle must be a charming and well-to-do man. Single mum tend to treat their men better.

 

[sweetiepie]

your uncle must be a charming and well-to-do man. Single mum tend to treat their men better.

During that time not leelee well to do.
Savings little but earning about $6k+ per mth.
But can say charming I.e 1 class below edison chen look.
Current earning $3.5k but > $1mil Savings

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

During that time not leelee well to do.
Savings little but earning about $6k per mth.
But can say charming I.e 1 class below edison chen look.
Current earning $3.5k but > $1mil Savings

Last time $6K a month is a lot, freehold only $300psf. Now $1500psf

Sometimes single mum went thru a lot because of their ex abusing them or straying outside.
In addition to their baggage, they know your heart better.

 

[sweetiepie]

Last time $6K a month is a lot, freehold only $300psf. Now $1500psf

Sometimes single mum went thru a lot because of their ex abusing them or straying outside.
In addition to their baggage, they know your heart better.

My uncle Estimates the same position I.e full fledge engineer in a US MNC with experience now pays near 10k.
My uncle knew the 2 chio cow bu just want to find a quick parking space. 1 of them was the admin asst. After my uncle leelised their objective he cutoff the leelationship.

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

My uncle Estimates the same position I.e full fledge engineer in a US MNC with experience now pays near 10k.
My uncle knew the 2 chio cow bu just want to find a quick parking space. 1 of them was the admin asst. After my uncle leelised their objective he cutoff the leelationship.

I don't judge. Your uncle scared of either the commitment or baggage of having a MILF.

 

[sweetiepie]

I don't judge. Your uncle scared of either the commitment or baggage of having a MILF.

The cow bu were syt lah (below 30) not milf .
My uncle cannot accept the takeover the rearing of the cow kid when the cow father is still alive. If the cow bus were widows my uncle could have made different leecisions.

 

[Dr Christopher Cheok C S]

The cow bu were syt lah (below 30) not milf .
My uncle cannot accept the takeover the rearing of the cow kid when the cow father is still alive. If the cow bus were widows my uncle could have made different leecisions.

@syed putra said it's ok if the calf is girl.