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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