'Overnight success is never overnight' - Inari Jewellery founder on courage to confront fear in business
"Breaking free from fear took time, introspection and support."
NUR ADNIN MAHALIM
SHAH ALAM - Overnight success stories often hide years of unseen struggle, sacrifice and self-doubt.
For Inari Jewellery founder and creative director Eva Woon, dismantling the fear of failure was not a moment of bravery but it was a process that took therapy, tears and total mental reconstruction.
She said when she returned to Malaysia after years abroad, she saw a glaring gap in the market.
“We are a demi-fine and fine jewellery brand dedicated to showcasing artisanal craftsmanship.
“When I returned home after living overseas for many years, I saw a gap between mass-produced fast fashion and traditional brands,” she said.
She said her vision led to the birth of Inari Jewellery, a brand that bridges artistry and accessibility.
“My aim was to shine a light on artistry in everyday wear while providing better access to luxury for everyone.
“That's how I launched Inari Jewelry three and a half years ago, following nine years as a consultant traveling between London, Singapore, Thailand and finally, back to KL,” she added.
She said yet, behind the polished image of her flourishing brand lies a truth that many entrepreneur, particularly women, know too well.
“Many people don't realise this, but Inari is actually my third jewellery business.
“Overnight success is truly never overnight. People often praise a brand's sudden rise but miss the struggles involved,” she said.
She said her journey from being a consultant to a business owner was far from smooth.
The biggest hurdle, she said was not financial, but psychological.
“It genuinely took me about a full year of therapy to thoroughly discuss and dismantle the fear of failure,” she said.
She said leaving a stable corporate career for an uncertain entrepreneurial path demanded a complete mental shift.
She said when a person has a clear career trajectory, defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), clear promotion paths and guaranteed salary increases, it became immensely challenging for them to suddenly give it all up to start a business where nothing was guaranteed.
“You start today, it might succeed, or tomorrow you might be confronted with a major setback you have to solve,” she added.
Woon described that breaking free from fear took time, introspection and support.
For her, reaching that mental preparation to embrace the risk took a whole year, many therapy sessions and a lot of tears.
“But I arrived at a point where I realised if I didn't give it a try, I would have failed myself.
“I could have been a partner in a consulting firm, financially secure, but I'd look back at 60 or 70 and regret not having done it.
“So, I convinced myself: ‘Commit to two years, see what happens. What's the worst that can happen?,” she said.
Woon acknowledged that her journey was made possible by having the right people around her.
She added that it was a difficult mental shift, but she acknowledged the vital support system she had.
“It demands immense mental and emotional readiness, I call it ‘heart work’,” she said.
Woon shared this on Sinar Daily’s She Means Business live panel session held on Nov 7 at KLGCC Mall, here.
Also sharing about reflections on risk, resilience and reinvention in entrepreneurship during the session was Lax and Lay Retreat co-founder Mardhiah Latiff.
Moderated by Girls4Girls deputy country lead Fildzah Zulkifli, the event focused on building businesses grounded in authenticity, purpose and perseverance.
Through their stories, the session reaffirmed Sinar Daily’s She Means Business discussion's mission to spotlight authentic narratives of women reshaping leadership and entrepreneurship in Malaysia.
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