Partner in Crime

In 2011, I started a one-man recruitment business. After a year, I decided that we needed to expand in order to reach critical mass. As a result, I approached Shyan-Hwei. A healthcare recruiter from a UK listed recruitment firm, we had been competitors back when I was a consultant with Hudson. Besides her, there was also another credible consultant who also had a strong presence in the industry. It was not an easy task getting Shyan-Hwei to join me – what I could offer her paled in comparison to the prestige, support system and benefits of her previous company. It took me a year to win her over, to convince her to share in my vision and join my small startup. My persistence finally paid off and we signed the employment contract at Ah Teng’s Bakery at Raffles Hotel (sadly, it is no longer in operation). A month or so later, she got onboarded into the Company.

Despite my exuberance at having her, the initial days were tough. She discovered that we did not have a proprietary candidate database system and there was also no proper employee benefits scheme in place. It felt like I had pulled a huge con over her and we went through some rough patches as we fought to find an equilibrium that would enable us to work together cohesively.

Despite the initial road bumps, we got our engines rolling in no time.  In one instance, we received a job requisition and the top 3 talent we shortlisted independently for the role were exactly the same! Those were exciting times because despite it being just us two, within a short period of time, we managed to gain a stronghold of the healthcare market. The long hours chasing deals, intense conversations, strategic brainstorming sessions, our drive and energy made our dreams a reality. We believed in the formula 1+1>3 where we drew on our synergies and it was truly our partnership and team work that enabled us to obtain that pot of gold.

Fast forward to 2024, Shyan-Hwei has been my partner in crime for close to 11 years. Somewhere in between, she did leave to work for a bigger setup but she eventually returned. From a spicy and earnest recruiter, I have had the privilege to witness her evolvement into an all-rounded recruiter with loyal candidates and clients seeking her services and advice for the past decade. I have also seen her mature from a fun-loving party animal to a caring mother of two lovely boys. Coincidentally, her husband had been my secondary school classmate.

I am immensely thankful to Shyan-Hwei. From believing in the Company’s potential when we were just a small seedling, to her skills and strong work ethics that contributed to the Company bearing fruit, DN & Associates would not be where it is without her.

From Shyan-Hwei, I have learnt to:

1.      Give autonomy and trust that the individual will do a good job

2.      Be supportive and, be a good listener

3.      Ask my team members whenever I am clueless about anything

Thank you, Shyan-Hwei for labouring these past 11 years with me. I look forward to many good years ahead!