While it may sound cliched, the journey to entrepreneurial success is often intricately woven with the pursuit of one’s passion. This certainly is the case for two business founders, Rhonda Wong and Vanessa Ho, who parlayed their deep-seated beliefs into groundbreaking ventures offering innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Ms Ho’s vibrant presence on social media and strategic role in fintech investments mirrors Ms Wong’s awe-inspiring journey – from migrant to disruptor in the Singaporean real estate arena. Both narratives underscore the indispensable role of passion in achieving remarkable milestones.

Yet, passion encompasses more than mere enthusiasm. Rather, it serves as a driving force that propels these founders through the myriad obstacles on the journey towards eventual triumph.

RHONDA WONG, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, OHMYHOME

Ms Wong’s trajectory as the co-founder of Ohmyhome – a proptech company pioneering a novel approach to real estate transactions – reflects how personal experiences can serve as catalysts for innovative and disruptive business ideas. Her journey has taken her from being a migrant in Singapore to leading the first proptech company listed in the United States founded solely by women.

Ms Wong’s early life, which was marked by frequent relocations, deeply influenced her understanding of the housing needs and aspirations of families. In particular, her own family’s struggles in securing suitable homes underscored the significance of accessibility and reliability in housing transactions – principles that would form the cornerstone of Ohmyhome’s mission.

“Through the years, we moved more than 20 times as a family,” shared Ms Wong. “My life experiences deepened my understanding of families’ property aspirations and their frustrations when things don’t unfold as planned.”

Subsequently, her experience as real estate investor in her early 20s brought her face-to-face with the inefficiencies and self-serving practices prevalent in the industry. Disappointed with the agent-centric focus, she embarked on a quest to reshape real estate transactions, prioritising client interests and transparent service. This commitment culminated in the establishment of Ohmyhome, co-founded with her sister Race, which is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and reliable property solutions.

Ohmyhome leverages technology to optimise agent efficiency, facilitating quicker sales and enhanced market pricing through a customer-centric approach. The company extends beyond transactions, providing a comprehensive suite of services including mortgage assistance, legal support, renovations and even property management.

“Our passion stems from placing customers at the forefront – we recognise that a property goes beyond the transaction, it encapsulates a family and their life for the foreseeable future,” Ms Wong explained.

Overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohmyhome has successfully extended its presence into Malaysia and the Philippines in recent years and envisions maintaining a steady growth trajectory in the future. “We have huge ambitions as a company and our work is not done until every home transaction is executed honestly and safely,” she said.

VANESSA HO, CO-FOUNDER, FINTECH NATION

Ms Ho’s transition from a DJ and social media creator to a fintech startup investor highlights how diverse experiences can spark innovative entrepreneurial ventures. It’s also a tale that showcases how passions can transform, compelling individuals to make a substantial impact in entirely new fields.

Starting from the age of 15, her experiences in hosting, filming and DJ-ing laid a unique foundation for her eventual venture into the tech start-up space. However, it was Ms Ho’s unsuccessful foray into the fashion subscription business that solidified her aspiration to become a resilient entrepreneur and paved the way for her immersion in the start-up ecosystem. “I’ve always had the desire to solve problems or improve processes,” she shared. “While I may not be the founder leading such change, I can be part of the ammunition that lends access to funding, resources and connections, thus supporting fellow founders.”

Another pivotal moment unfolded in 2020 when Ms Ho co-founded the NUS Alumni Ventures, an angel investor network. During this period, she delved into the dynamic fintech sector under the guidance of her mentor Varun Mittal. “He helped sharpen my investor lens,” she said. “Together, we established Fintech Nation to invest in early stage start-ups within fintech, and more recently, in other sectors as well.”

Ms Ho’s background in media and entertainment has equipped her with a sharp insight into consumer behaviour, enabling her to analyse B2C companies, particularly in areas such as marketing and user acquisition. “I instinctively know whether a start-up’s product can make people tick or adopt it as a habit, as well as identify friction points for everyday consumers.”

Additionally, the young entrepreneur’s experience in the fashion subscription business proved to be an invaluable learning journey, lending her the ability to identify potential start-up pitfalls and to empathise with founders on a deeper level.

Looking ahead, she envisions expanding Fintech Nation to function as more than just a fund,  aiming for it to evolve into a ‘super node’ within the fintech industry across the firm’s three pillars – investment, community and thought leadership. “I firmly believe that direct engagement with the community fosters collaboration and opportunities,” she said. “Rather than quietly investing with available resources, we can actively establish ourselves as a driving force in Singapore’s fintech hub – investing, supporting and uniting players in the ecosystem.”