Being a good influence

SHE has 116,000 followers on Instagram, but Isabella Wong, better known as Bella Kuan, is more than your average influencer and former blogger.
She’s also an entrepreneur with two brands – natural beauty line Handmade Heroes, and fashion apparel Bad Habit – is a certified Flycycle spin instructor with a background in martial arts, and was in a music band during her college days.
Proving that you don’t have to limit yourself to being just one thing, the 27-year-old talks about her journey in the social realm, and the doors it has opened for her.
Do you see yourself returning to blogging?
“I think the world is evolving [and] people are changing. It's a very fast-paced kind of lifestyle where people are on Instagram [and] they want updates every five minutes. That’s why I stopped writing [on my blog], in a way.
“I’m also managing two brands, so, it’s kind of hard to find time. [There’s] so much to do but so little time. It’s a lot of visuals [now].
“Actually, if I could choose, I would pursue my singing, ‘cause I studied music in college, and that has always been a passion, but … then reality hits you, and you already have so many responsibilities, so I didn’t really get to pursue my passion fully.”
How did that start, and would you consider pursuing music seriously?
“Yes! I do still take classes, singing classes, and I did a few covers but I travel quite a bit, so I can’t be at one place to really produce my work.
“My mum was a piano teacher, so then I joined the choir in primary school. It just started off from there.
“I had a jazz band. I used to do it in college for extra allowance. We always played for weddings during the weekends. That was the most enjoyable time I had.
“I love jazz, I love R&B, I love things that are more upbeat.
“Classical was always the foundation, but if I were to go back to singing and have a chance, I would want to produce more covers.”
What does being an influencer mean to you?
“I would want to set my life as a – I wouldn’t say like a role model, maybe [to inspire others to have the lifestyle they want], like a fulfilled life, in terms of fitness, and then work, and then friends.
“I share quite a lot of things, like parties and stuff. But I think that’s the good part about it. I’m not afraid to share anything, as long as I feel that it’s real, it’s genuine.
“I think for influencers, it’s just being genuine. It’s not just like creating content, and doing shout outs, but more like how your daily life is and maybe people can actually get inspired.”
Does it bother you when people have negative connotations about influencers?
“It doesn’t bother me because I know how much effort I put into [what I do] and actually matters to me.
“Maybe before, when I started as a blogger, it did bother me because, at that time, I think social media wasn't a thing [yet] and people were like, ‘oh, you don't have a real job’.
“My parents were very supportive of what I do, which was good.
“It can be quite discouraging, but when I got my first paycheck, I was only, like, 17. It wasn’t like a big thing, I remember, for RM230, I wrote something for a local college, and that kept me going.
“It’s just that small achievement and you know there’s something there, if not, things wouldn’t be happening. I just kept going. I did get some judgement but a long, long time ago.
“Now, when social media is a thing, people are [more accepting].”
What is the most fulfilling aspect of having a multi-faceted career like yours?
“For myself, I guess, it’s the small achievements. I think being in business helped me grow a lot, and also getting to know myself as an individual.
“I feel like I got to know myself so much better by doing [what I do], in terms of how I work … of how I see things. I work with different people and I have business partners.
“I am a very fast-paced person. I’m not an indecisive person, [but] sometimes I get agitated easily so it’s good to have people tell you that [you need to slow down].
“I think that right now in business, I learned how to manage expectations and emotions. It’s constantly working on yourself.”
What are your goals for 2018?
“I don’t want to add more hats or more weight on my shoulders, ‘cause I have a lot going on.
“I started these businesses [Bad Habit and Handmade Heroes], because working as a social media influencer is not a guaranteed job.
“We are considered freelancers … ‘cause you don't get a fixed payment every month. Anything can happen, especially in the media nowadays, things change overnight.
“Ten years ago, (social networking site) Friendster was trending like crazy, and then suddenly Facebook took over, and then you have Instagram. Who knows what the next Instagram is?
“You kind of need a plan B to fall back to. It’s like an investment in yourself.”