It was back in 2012, when new mum Janice Low first discovered screwback earrings. Having newly settled in the UK, Low was still exploring the place and decided to take her daughter for an appointment. This is where she first noticed them in action.
Since she hadn't worn them before herself, Low also decided to take the plunge. Needless to say, there has been no looking back.
"After using it for my daughter and myself since then, I believe that such screwback earrings provide the safety I want for my daughter. Especially, when it comes to handling earrings," Low explains.
It was this discovery that went on to make Low one of the most coveted children's ear piercers in Singapore.
"When I returned to Singapore, I noticed that only push on stud earrings are sold in Singapore. So I decided to bring in screwback earrings to Singapore so that all parents could have the same peace of mind that I had found years ago," says Janice Low, who founded CherisHeart, an appointment-only ear piercing service for babies, children and women in Singapore.
For This SG Mum, Piercing Safety Is Priority
Low told theAsianparent that as a mother, she understood the apprehension that comes with getting a child's ear pierced. It was one she experienced as well. Which is why, safety is always her top priority.
"Just like every parent in the world, I want my daughter to be safe in all activities that she takes up. I want to extend this to other children through my services when they engage in ear piercing services," she tells us.
How This SG Mum Became The Most Popular Ear Piercer In Singapore
A former project engineer, Low found her calling in this unique field by chance.
"My husband worked overseas frequently. So I decided to start a small business whereby flexible work arrangements could allow me to practice, while taking care of my daughter who had just entered primary school back then. Since more customers began enquiring if I provided ear piercing services, I stepped up and approached USA Ear Piercing suppliers and underwent professional ear piercing training," says the SG mum.
Since then she's been bringing joy and sparkle to kids' ears. So much so that Low has become one of the most popular children's ear piercers in Singapore.
She adds that being this type of mumpreneur gives her more meaning and joy on a daily basis and that she would not trade for other things. "It’s a journey that I love to continue meeting new parents and children creating memorable milestones together with them," adds Low.
But for this SG mum the beginning of this journey was quite tough. However, she didn't give up, wanting to bring that sparkle and joy into children's lives.
"You need to find out what is important in your life and why. It will benefit you to have supportive people around who will encourage you and help you choose well," she says.
She adds that no matter the hurdle, determination and discipline can help anybody get through any challenges.
"You only live once. I believe that hard work and determination will get you towards your dream. Never give up and every step of learning earns you new knowledge to cope with the next challenge. Remember, the biggest rewards in life come from outside your comfort zone. Staying positive is always the right mindset and don’t worry to seek help from others whenever you need it," says the popular mum who has stuck to the same attitude in her personal life as well.
Low has overcome multiple hardships, especially when it came to her pregnancy.
Talking to theAsianparent about her pregnancy journey Low says that that travels made it more difficult. But she eventually found the right people who supported her through and through.
Coping With Hardships In A Foreign Land
Low elaborated, "I became a parent in September 2010 when our first child was born. Everything became multiple times harder than ever after the relocation. I needed to juggle moving boxes and a crying baby at the same time. Managing jet lag was another major issue. The baby’s routine becomes haywire, and the need to accommodate ourselves to the country’s weather conditions as well."
At the start, she says she felt "totally lost with no external support" especially as an expat family. But she soon found her footing and connected with fellow parents who had been through the same journey as Low.
"Those mummy friends advised me to look around my area to see if there were any local parent support groups. Thankfully, I found one church nearby our house. I joined them as a volunteer and managed to build a new friendship support network with fellow parents to share tips together. We organised frequent short trips to farms, dance classes and gatherings. To date, I still contact them via Facebook messenger although we are no longer see each other physically," shares Low.
Unfortunately, that was just the beginning. It wasn't just the emotional void that needed to be filled. Physically too, Low faced many challenges.
As the SG mum shares, "It was a difficult pregnancy for me as I experienced morning sickness. It started to ease during my second trimester. The long journey to and fro to work worsened the condition until I needed medication."
"My mind was constantly challenged as I worried about my baby’s health since I handle chemicals daily. Thankfully, after I informed my Safety & Lab manager about my pregnancy, they re-adjusted my job scope to more paperwork than chemical-related tasks. I had to pick up new skills in a short period of time in order to fulfil the new task at work. As my tummy got heavier and bigger, walking around the laboratory was no joke at all. I had to take extra care not to slip, fall or knock onto anything to prevent miscarriage," she explains.
"The third trimester did not flow smoothly. Our gynaecologist, Dr Tho informed us that our “baby was dropping” too early, I was prescribed Hospitalisation Leave (HL) for rest at home for two weeks to prevent a premature baby. While resting at home, emotions swirl up and down daunting every second. My hubby had to constantly put in extra care and concern towards me, making sure I’m feeling all right," she says.
Adding that in all this, her biggest support system was her husband.
"My husband stayed by my side throughout childbirth and he even cut the umbilical cord for our baby. He spent time bonding with our daughter by singing nursery rhymes, feeding and giving lots of cuddling time to our lovely daughter," quips Low.
Thankfully, all went well and Low delivered a healthy baby girl who is almost in her preteen years today and is her mum's biggest cheerleader too.
Managing Time On Your Own Terms
Low divides her time between her daughter's schedule and managing her business.
As she explains, "Setting up this business allowed me to have full control of my time. I only focus on my business-related stuff during my business operating hours Monday- Friday (9 am - 5 pm). Both my hubby and daughter are busy with their own stuff (working/schooling) as well."
"I ensure that I spend quality time with my daughter in the evening. Be it on something as simple as listening to what she did during the whole day in her school or reading a bedtime story to her. Every weekend and public holiday, we will do simple things together as a family such as home baking, playing PS4 games, swimming or having a feast at our favourite restaurant," she added.
"It's easy for us to end up spending all our time in our business as there are no official working hours. We forget that there is still life outside business. We need to constantly remind and discipline ourselves with our time. This is especially true in the digital age we are in now," Low points.
Become Your Child's Guiding Light
As for her parenting style, Low is not a Kiasu parent. This is why she has a unique perspective on guiding children to excel.
She explains, "SG parents are very competitive and my advice is to let nature takes its course. Every child is different, even twins. All children have different strengths and vulnerabilities. If parents really want to compete, encourage their children to be the best version of themselves. I believe this will make their kid grow positively and be daring to learn anything."
"The most important thing a child should learn is the correct attitude towards life," she adds.
As for advice for young parents, Low says it is important to understand and love a child first, an approach she uses on her own little clients too.
"My advice to young parents is to focus more on their child’s development than their results. Don’t compare your child with others, it will save both parent and child from unnecessary emotional stress in these uncertain times. No one is perfect in this world, let’s just grow together positively," says the popular SG mum.
We couldn't agree more!
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