Jaelle Ang, founder of The Great Room, wants to make great design happen. Get to know this member of the Robb Report Singapore Thought Leaders community and get inspired
Jaelle Ang took a substantial risk when she went into the business of co-working spaces, still a relatively new feature on the economic landscape. Today, The Great Room that Ang founded in 2016 offers some of the region’s handsomest work spaces, empowering companies and individuals to create value in the modern economy.
Why are you passionate about what you do?
There is nothing else more fulfilling than seeing a space in your mind, and then gathering the resources and solving every problem that comes your way until it comes to fruition. I am passionate about making great design happen.
Was there a career setback you faced that became an advantage?
I discovered that I am a generalist and hence would make a terrible architect. However, I am excited about how a generalist can pull things from different areas to create value and impact. It’s such an advantage to be fluent in design language, financial speak and real estate intuition.
What are some of the biggest risks that you have taken?
Contrary to popular belief, like most entrepreneurs I know, we are extremely risk-averse since we are risking our own time and capital. It’s just that we are very willing to outwork, outmanoeuvre and outwit others to drastically reduce the risk before we make a move. To build The Great Room, I went all in. I left a listed company with both stability and upside to start a company that has a rather risky business model, putting in everything I had while conceiving twins in the same month.
What’s the one thing about you that will surprise most people?
I am an introvert. I am very nerdy and have tools, frameworks and spreadsheets for almost everything.
Editor’s note: Get to know the full Thought Leaders community here.
Photography by Sayher Heffernan
Styling by Karin Tan
Hair & Makeup by Angel Gwee
Credits: Chanel Beauty and L’Oréal Hair Professional; dress by Dolce & Gabbana
