We all have our role models, and Grace Clapham is a huge source of inspiration for us. Not only does she run concurrent projects across multiple platforms in different countries (she’s currently tackling 5 different projects), she’s also totally down-to-earth, immensely hardworking, and always willing to give a girl a helping hand.
Tell us about your childhood and family – growing up with a mixed heritage and moving around the world must have been quite something!
I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and then moved to Singapore at the age of 5 until 11 before my parents moved us all to Quito, Ecuador, where we all went to a Spanish-speaking school for a year whilst my father was setting up a school in Quito called the Fundacion Educativa Pestalozzi, which was run along Montessori-style lines. We then went on to stay in the Galapagos Islands on a boat for a while before making our way back to Singapore again.
We stayed in Singapore till early 1998 before moving to Melbourne, Australia where I finished off high school and university at the University of Melbourne. I left in between high school and university to move to Europe for a year and spent majority of my time working in London and then in Paris before moving back to Australia to finish off my degree. It was a great childhood; my father was an Australian diplomat turned businessman and social entrepreneur. He had been in Indonesia since the early 60s and both my parents loved to travel so we would always go on amazing trips to different parts of the world during our school holidays. My childhood and my mixed background has shaped me into who I am today and the work that I do.
To say you’re busy is a total understatement. What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a lot of different projects, it’s just my personality! All with the greater purpose of building better eco-systems and communities for creatives as well as women entrepreneurs and change agents across the region. I think what people don’t realise is that I partner with various different individuals for all the different projects, events, and communities that I work on or run. And all my projects are complementary. I’m passionate about collaborating with others and building a wide web of change. And very importantly, I wouldn’t be able to do all of these projects without my amazing partners.
Right now I’m expanding Secret {W} Business (a community for women entrepreneurs, innovators, and change agents) which was initially launched in June 2012, right here in Singapore. We’re now launching Secret {W} Business in KL (13th April), Bali (5th June), Jakarta, BKK, and then later in the year in Melbourne.
At the same time this year I’m launching two new projects/ventures for later in the year with two different partners in crime:
One is a 3 day festival/summit called 3:D Assembly for later this year, that connects design, innovation, and culture – creating the perfect intersection for where we believe social impact and creativity can occur and society can progress to new levels of thinking. The other is Change Ventur.es (launching later this week), where we bring entrepreneurs, career breakers, graduates and anyone else who is passionate to become a change-maker together for one month away with mentors and an awesome lifetime experience.
Ongoing – as always is CreativeMornings Singapore and SheSays Singapore.
With so many projects on hand it must be difficult to pin down a typical day, but give us your best shot!
Yes it’s definitely a bit tough. I’m a bit of a dawdler in the morning and prefer to work in the evenings and also don’t like to respond to emails on the go – so I try and keep it to a limit, which means I get bombarded with an overwhelming number of emails when I finally get to them.
In the morning I usually wake up, have my coffee, read news, and go through my to-do list for the day, then maybe check a couple of emails before heading out to meetings. After that it’s usually a few more emails before finally to the getting-stuff-done part of the day!! Spreadsheets, presentations, planning, etc.
I try and set aside a day and a half without meetings but it’s difficult to do.
You started your own business here in Singapore. Any particular reason(s) for choosing Singapore?
I started my business in Singapore because I love it here, it’s home for me and also because I felt it was the perfect hub and connecting point for both Asian and Western countries and businesses. It’s the perfect melting pot.
Most rewarding work experience?
The most rewarding work experience would have to be seeing our communities grow and the impact it has on other people. CreativeMornings Singapore just had our one year anniversary, and from when we (myself, Daylon Soh, and Renyung Ho) brought it to Singapore last March to now – it has grown significantly and the response just continues to amaze us each month.
So this is something we need serious help with: how do you maintain your work/life balance?
To be honest – I don’t. I have time-outs and time-away and that’s when I recharge, regroup, and rethink.
I really believe that this work/life balance is always going to be a question for individuals. I don’t really feel I need a work/life balance because work and life are so intertwined and when it gets too much and I feel the need to take time out, then I will.
I think this quest for work/life balance is simliar to the quest individuals have on the perfect relationship or the perfect life. There are always moments in life that are up and down, harder and easier and the same goes with workload – at times you have a lot more and other times there may be quieter periods.
OK, we have serious ‘hood envy! What’s the best part about living in Tiong Bahru? Any best-kept secrets?
I love this area too although we have considered moving to another part of Singapore. Best part about living in Tiong Bahru is being close to the markets and the amazing community that’s around here. Best-kept secrets….it wouldn’t be a secret if I told you then!
How would you describe your home? Any favourite pieces?
I don’t really know. I’d say our house is cosy, no fuss, and simple. My favourite piece would have to be this poster we have in our living room of an Indonesian man wearing a sarong and having a cigarette! Then our coffee table.
Little black book of Singapore: tell us all your favourite hangout spots! We promise we won’t mysteriously turn up.
I like Colbar in Portsdown area – it reminds me of when I used to grow up here as it used to be down the road from our old school. Nosh in Rochester Park for its amazing outdoor area, and Din Tai Fung because I’m always up for dumplings. I also like Kith Cafe for its awesome takeaway coffee. You can also find me at Riders Cafe and Verita Wellness.
My favourite bars are Jigger & Pony and Bitters & Love.
What do you never leave home without?
Definitely my iphone and additional charger. I also always have a book to write ideas or thoughts in and I’m always wearing my Jawbone Up Band to measure my steps.
Any advice you would give your fresh out of college self?
Make your own way and always aspire to inspire.
Thanks for having us, Grace!
All images taken by Suasti Lye Photography & Design.