At PepTalkHer, we’re on a mission to empower YOU to know your worth and understand your value in the workplace. And what better way to start than asking our favorite women in business?
We sat down with Anabel Chew, the co-founder of Asia’s biggest barre studio, WeBarre, and founder of Tiger Moms Club.
Meggie: Anabel, we’re so excited to sit down and chat with you! Firstly, how would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Anabel: A pint-sized pocket rocket!
Meggie: Yes, you are! You’re the co-founder of Asia’s leading barre studio, WeBarre. You have a couple of locations across Asia, owning studios in Singapore and Hong Kong. You’ve built such an amazing culture and community through the studios. Can you tell us how you ended up where you are today?
“The community, the energy, and the love were so real and so strong.”
Anabel: I’d have to say- making meaningful connections and relationships, resilience and tenacity.
Meggie: Love that! Could you tell us about a day at work you'll never forget?
Anabel: The day was 4 April 2020 and Singapore went into a nationwide lockdown because of COVID. In all 5 years, we never thought we would shut our studios in Singapore and Hong Kong. It was a really emotional moment that I'll never forget - I was meaning to go on maternity leave in a few weeks, yet the future of WeBarre and the world seemed so uncertain and it's very unnerving for a planner and Type A personality like myself. The next day, we launched our virtual Zoom classes online and were so moved that our community showed up with us, sweating it out from their homes, with us. It's like we never left. The community, the energy, and the love were so real and so strong.
“Ensure that your personal brand is a genuine extension of who you are.”
Meggie: What an amazing experience to come out of 2020. You, and WeBarre, both have such strong branding. Can you give us your advice on creating a personal brand?
Anabel: Know what your personal values are, what you're willing or not willing to do, what you believe in, and what you stand for. Ensure that your personal brand is a genuine extension of who you are.
Meggie: Speaking of knowing your personal values, how do you prepare for negotiation conversations around salaries, promotions, and pay rises? What advice can you give us?
Anabel: Don't get overly attached to it and negotiate from a point where you have nothing to lose. But first things first, make you have the skills, assets, or talent to justify that raise or promotion! Then, knowing your worth, approach it from a perspective that you are adding value and how you can be an asset.
“Don’t get overly attached to it and negotiate from a point where you have nothing to lose.”
Meggie: That’s some amazing advice, thank you so much! Knowing your worth rings true for me and is a huge part of our ethos at PepTalkHer. We want to know who has taught you the most about knowing your value in the workplace?
Anabel: My business partner. We are like iron that sharpens iron and challenge each other to always do better in our roles.
Meggie: That’s incredible! Anabel, it’s a delight to have you thank you so much for chatting with us!
Anabel’s advice on knowing your worth rings true for me and is a huge part of our ethos at PepTalkHer. Make sure you check out Anabel’s awesome work on Instagram & website.
If you’d like to know your worth, can I suggest joining our next Free 5 Day Career Challenge. The deal is, we spend 5 days together, working to supercharge your career success. It’s a 5 minute challenge a day plus a free live coaching call daily for you to join. You’ll have tactics you can put in place easily to move the needle on your career plans for the rest of the year (how is this year already half over?!) Sign up here!