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Tropicana Magazine Mar-Apr 2018 #117: Edge Of Excitement

MARCH into April with the Edge of Excitement: Featuring the power couple of sustainability, legendary dancer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, and the swanky bars of Singapore. Read it here now:

MARCH into April with the Edge of Excitement: Featuring the power couple of sustainability, legendary dancer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, and the swanky bars of Singapore. Read it here now:

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JEFFREY YANG AND JOEY WOO<br />

“When the business is expanding, we don’t spend a lot of time on<br />

ourselves,” Joey revealed. “I think the only time that we have is<br />

during work. I know that sounds very unhealthy for a relationship<br />

but this is the prime time to grow the business, and both of us have<br />

the same mission.”<br />

Jeffrey is an early riser; Joey’s workday begins later so she can<br />

spend breakfast and homework time with them in the mornings<br />

before the eldest heads off to primary school. The school is also<br />

conveniently located opposite the showroom so that when it lets<br />

out, the kids can come straight to the store. A play area in the back<br />

keeps them and customers’ kids occupied as parents pick out their<br />

favourite piece. However, when 7pm rolls around, it’s all about<br />

family. Joey revealed that they don’t even have a TV or flip open<br />

iPads at home.<br />

Understanding and commitment to a common cause is so<br />

important as certain things have had to take a backseat for the<br />

couple. Holidays to far-flung destinations or any holidays at all,<br />

for example. With the exception of Mondays, the showroom is<br />

open all week including weekends when the children are not in<br />

school.<br />

“We’re very lucky,” Joey beamed, “My kids are easily contented.”<br />

Jeffrey concurred, “We are pretty much grounded here in Malaysia.<br />

But that is okay with us, because Malaysia is a very beautiful<br />

country and there are still a lot of places that we could explore,”<br />

citing Penang as his favourite.<br />

The New Year has seen the couple develop a strong resolve<br />

to make more time for short getaways, adventures to parks and<br />

waterfalls, and getting fitter and eating healthier. “We’re trying to<br />

run every week, have a more balanced diet, with more fresh fruit<br />

and vegetables, and less fried food and meat,” cheered Jeffrey.<br />

Taking care of their lifestyle is important for themselves and for<br />

the business as there is still so much to achieve in life.<br />

“joey and jeffrey<br />

recognise that their<br />

business is still in its<br />

infancy and has room<br />

for growth but they<br />

are prepared to make<br />

certain sacrifices to<br />

ensure their business<br />

meets its full<br />

potential.”<br />

GROWING THE BUSINESS<br />

Though some would assume the supply in salvaged timber would<br />

be short, Jeffrey feels it is untapped and that Art of Tree has much<br />

growth potential. Together with Joey, they have mapped out plans<br />

to continue expansion.<br />

“The first stage is to create a stronger presence here in Malaysia,<br />

to cover a wider range of products, and grow our search channel<br />

by opening up other showrooms and having a stronger online<br />

presence through e-commerce and perhaps even e-commerce<br />

partnerships,” Jeffrey revealed.<br />

The pair is also interested to explore collaborations with<br />

different designers, celebrities and influencers, recognising it as<br />

an effective way of sharing their unique selling point with a wider<br />

audience.<br />

THE BUSINESS OF MAKING THE WORLD BETTER<br />

Art of Tree’s unique selling point also underpins Jeffrey’s and<br />

Joey’s desire to gain ecolabel certification, which would give the<br />

brand the consumer confidence it needs in Europe and USA. The<br />

process is long, complicated and not without its challenges.<br />

TM | MARCH/APRIL <strong>2018</strong><br />

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