my Nya: the Nya in manekNya

When we asked our dad "What do you want to eat for Father's Day?" his simple reply was, "Maggi Mee also can lah."

All dads always have to be the cool ones, don’t they? 😂

Our dad, affectionately known as Baba or Ba in the Peranakan language, played a significant role in the birth of manekNya. He has been a secret supporter, faithfully liking and commenting on every single one of manekNya's posts.

I still remember one of manekNya's earliest Facebook posts, which had only one comment - and it was from him.

It was my Ba who encouraged me to pursue manekNya when I hesitated to dive into this full-time venture with my sister, Swee Lin. I had many doubts, contemplating whether I should leave behind the stability of my corporate job that I had worked so hard to build. Should I let go of everything and step into a world of uncertainties? These thoughts consumed my mind for months!

You have no idea, but these thoughts were playing in my mind for a couple of months. 

I even attempted to juggle between my full-time job and manekNya, dedicating my nights to the latter after a day's work. But it soon became clear that this was not sustainable. I was mentally drained by the time I finished my day job, with no creative energy left to devote to manekNya. 🧠

Then, one fine day, I decided to go back home to Melaka. 

As usual, my Ba picked me up from the bus station, and it became a ritual for us to indulge in a bowl of duck noodles somewhere in town. We chatted casually, and he asked me about life, work, and my plans for the future.

"Wow, that's a deep question, Ba," I replied, half-jokingly.

My typical response would always be, "Well, it's okay. I have everything under control."

Now, having experienced both the corporate world and startup life, I can confidently say that corporate jobs are relatively easier compared to starting a business. In the corporate world, everything is structured and solvable, except perhaps for the office politics and drama 🤪. Stay strong, my friends.

I still remember his exact words: "You're still young. Just go for it. What is there to lose?" 

Me nodding, but I’m sure there's a reluctant sign showing in my face.

He continued, "It's better to pursue manekNya now while you still have the energy of youth. If you realize a year later that it's not for you, you can always go back to the corporate world."

I mustered an empty response, "Oh... Hmmm..." 😂

That night, I pondered deeply about our conversation. The uncertainties that once held me back began to fade away. I started envisioning the possibilities, the impact we could make through manekNya, and the fulfillment it would bring to our lives. With each passing day, my determination grew stronger, and deep down, I knew it was the right path for me.

Together with my sister, Swee Lin, we devoted ourselves wholeheartedly to manekNya. We poured our creativity, passion, and hard work into building the brand, designing unique pieces that captured the essence of Peranakan culture. 

On this Father's Day, as we celebrate our Ba and the profound impact he had on our journey, I realize that he ignited the fire within me, propelling me towards manekNya. 

One thing that I would carry on throughout my life is the unwavering determination to keep pushing forward. When you’ve set the goals in your mind, you should just go for it and take action. Instead of “I should have done this last time”, or “What if”. It should be “I am doing this now”.  The power to shape your life lies in your hands, here and now!

Without his wise words, unwavering support, and belief in our abilities, manekNya might have remained just a distant dream. Instead, it became our reality, and we couldn't be more grateful.

Happy Father's Day, Ba. You are not just a loving father, but also a mentor, motivator, and the wind beneath your wings as we soar towards success with manekNya.

To all the fathers out there who have inspired and influenced us, thank you for your unwavering love, guidance, and support. 

Happy Father's Day! <3

Love,

Swee May