Elsie Liow (Nanyang Business School/Class of 2001) came from a humble background, where she and her siblings lived modestly in a small public housing unit with their parents. From a young age, she harbored the seed of “changing her destiny through her own efforts.”
In 2005, at the age of 26, Elsie recognized the potential of the immigration industry during her career as an employee and ventured into entrepreneurship without hesitation. Her primary focus was to provide immigration and overseas expansion services to businesses and families. Her first company marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey, experiencing both the highs and lows of starting a business. It reached its first peak when it expanded its operations to 14 offices across the Asia-Pacific region, employing 270 staff members, and serving clients from 15 countries.
In 2013, a renowned American private equity firm acquired her company, bringing Elsie her first taste of entrepreneurial joy and pride.
However, these achievements did not dampen Elsie’s entrepreneurial spirit. In July 2023, she founded another company specializing in serving global high-net-worth individuals in immigration and asset management.
Her entrepreneurial path was not without challenges. The onset of the pandemic plunged Elsie into the darkest period of her career. The pandemic disrupted her business expansion plans, and she and her team had to adapt swiftly to the constantly changing immigration policies and entry requirements.
She said, “Perseverance, relentless perseverance, is what drives me forward. The entrepreneurial journey is sometimes bitter and lonely. Fortunately, I never give up, stay optimistic, and am blessed with an excellent team that accompanies me forward, survives the pandemic, and makes the company better and better. I also hope to set a good example for my four children, hoping they can be resilient in their endeavors and adventurous in their lives.”
With her keen business sense, Elsie has garnered numerous accolades over the years. In 2023, she was awarded the “Phoenix Award” for Female Entrepreneurship in recognition of her leadership during the pandemic.
Nanyang Technological University in Singapore is one of the top universities in Singapore, ranking 50th in the 2024 QS World University Sustainability Rankings and 4th in Asia.
