WINNIE TAY It took some amount of cajoling to get Winnie Tay to agree to be featured on <strong>the</strong> cover of this issue. “I don’t have an interesting story,” exclaims this lovely 70-year-old good-naturedly. “I don’t have any fancy titles ei<strong>the</strong>r!” After some reassurances, she agreed and lo and behold! Hers is a story worth telling. “My soul mate and husband, George, encouraged me to say yes,” she said gleefully. And like clockwork, in walks George, whose eyes light up upon seeing Winnie all groomed and dressed to <strong>the</strong> hilt for this photography session. “You look lovely,” he remarks. “I would date you all over again.” He saunters off and before long <strong>the</strong> whole home is filled with music from <strong>the</strong> 60s and 70s. The courtyard home <strong>the</strong>y live in at <strong>Tropicana</strong> Golf and Country Resort would not have come into being if it wasn’t for George’s love for satay and <strong>the</strong> chance to go on a helicopter ride! “When <strong>Tropicana</strong> first launched this place, <strong>the</strong>y advertised free helicopter rides and satay. George was adventurous and wanted to ride a helicopter and try out <strong>the</strong> satay. It was a crowded weekend, especially at <strong>the</strong> satay stalls. We were waiting to be taken around <strong>the</strong> property when a kind contractor decided to show us around.” The couple got into <strong>the</strong> contractor’s boneshaker of a car and he took <strong>the</strong>m around to view <strong>the</strong> plots of land he had cleared. “He stopped right at <strong>the</strong> spot where he had built his office and explained that this was <strong>the</strong> highest ground in <strong>the</strong> area and he had paid a FengShui master RM2000 to identify this particular plot.” “That was a lot of money 25 years back. We forgot about <strong>the</strong> helicopter ride and satay. We bought this plot and built our home. There are no regrets; just counting our blessings.” THROWN IN THE DEEP END Regarded with much respect as <strong>the</strong> doyenne of <strong>the</strong> insurance industry, her foray into it was none<strong>the</strong>less accidental and not by choice. “My fa<strong>the</strong>r, Chong Fook Shin, started an insurance agency,” Winnie explains. “His agency was <strong>the</strong> first agency appointed as a chief agent and with power of attorney by a foreign insurance company.” To be appointed as such, was deemed an honour as one has <strong>the</strong> clout to issue policies and settle claims. It was <strong>the</strong> late 60s. Winnie had just completed her LCC Secretarial course. “My fa<strong>the</strong>r had asked me to join him in <strong>the</strong> agency promising to teach me all I needed to know,” she recalls. “He was 73 years old and in poor health.” Unfortunately for Winnie and her family, her fa<strong>the</strong>r passed away seven months later. “I was literally thrown into <strong>the</strong> lion’s “Getting cold feet but still determined, I started by introducing myself,” she recalls of <strong>the</strong> meeting that turned her business around. “He said ‘It’s alright. I have heard about you and your fa<strong>the</strong>r. Your name and reputation precede you.” den,” says Winnie. “I had to start from scratch and without much experience. I desperately tried to maintain <strong>the</strong> existing business and procure new ones.” It all proved to be challenging for a young, inexperienced Winnie, who suddenly was pushed into an industry dominated by men. She persevered with determination and hope. “I concentrated on motor insurance,” she recalls of her early days in <strong>the</strong> business. “Every morning I would be armed with proposal forms and cover notes and make my way to visit motor franchises, car dealers and car salesmen.” “The business grew slowly but not without having to work tirelessly at gaining <strong>the</strong>ir trust and confidence. Eventually, I made inroads and fast gained popularity with <strong>the</strong> motor franchise companies and major used car dealers in <strong>the</strong> Klang Valley.” “In <strong>the</strong> mid-80s, <strong>the</strong> insurance industry suffered a major setback. Many motor insurance companies suffered heavy losses on motor claims and many were forced into insolvency. This caused my agency to also come to a halt.” Winnie’s insurance portfolio was mainly motor insurance; hence, she was badly affected. “I had 15 staff‘s welfare to look after and I was asked to stop accepting motor insurance overnight. The thought of my staff’s livelihood being at stake was really stressful.” “It was George who encouraged me to look for a big corporate insurance company that could take over my portfolio.” With his support, she summoned up <strong>the</strong> courage and made an appointment to meet <strong>the</strong> Group CEO of a large reputable corporation. “Getting cold feet but still determined, I started by introducing myself,” she recalls of <strong>the</strong> meeting that turned her business around. “He said ‘It’s alright. I have heard about you and your fa<strong>the</strong>r. Your name and reputation precede you.’” “This man gave me my new life line,” she says with gratitude. Winnie was <strong>the</strong>n known as <strong>the</strong> Motor Queen and Big Sister within <strong>the</strong> General Motor Insurance Agent Association. Fast forward to 2003, when Winnie became <strong>the</strong> Champion Agent. “The CEO encouraged me to go into life insurance. He challenged me to do <strong>the</strong> Million Dollar Round Table and I did it in three months!” “In 2007, with <strong>the</strong> launch of a new life insurance savings product, I wanted to repeat my MDRT but <strong>the</strong> management encouraged me to go for my full potential. In four months, I achieved Top Of The Table, <strong>the</strong> highest international life insurance recognition. I broke <strong>the</strong> record as well as clinched <strong>the</strong> championship.” TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> 20
WINNIE TAY On ________, Blazer, printer shirt, pants, watch, eyeglasses and belt, all __________'s own On Winnie, Lace short sleeved dress and earrings, both from Kate Spade New York Watch and eyeglasses, Winnie's own See through dress, KATE SPADE NEW YORK. Watch, Michelle’s own 21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER <strong>2017</strong> | TM