LIFESTYLE

March 2007

By Leong Wai Kit

ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

The spirit is willing but the pockets are empty

Who

26-year-old Merry Riana, NTU Engineering graduate

$ Status

Merry is not from a wealthy family. Upon graduation, she was $40,000 in debt from her university tuition loan.

Established

Merry Riana Organization, a financial services agency representing Prudential Singapore.

Started

At 22. Merry started off as a financial adviser and eventually earned enough to set up her own agency using her earnings. In total, she put in a six-figure-sum from her earnings into her agency, spending them mainly on office space, equipment, management systems and manpower. Merry even wrote a motivational book last year (A Gift From A Friend, $12.90, available at all major bookstores) to share her entrepreneurial experiences.

Managed

Merry arranged to defer her loan repayment for one year so that she could use her immediate funds for rainy days. Subsequently she made enough as financial adviser to repay her full loan within six months of deferment.

Advice

Go into businesses that don’t require much capital (such as shop or raw material), contacts or skills. Service-type businesses are good starting points. Get a mentor for guidance (or simply read her book!).

To know more about Merry Riana and her Organization, MRO, you can visit www.merryriana.com.sg or email merry@merryriana.com.sg.