The Power of 100: Reflections on Success, Purpose, and the Long Game, Part 1

Each one begins with a simple question: When did you last feel the joy of success? And ends with a reflection on the number “100” – a symbol of perfection, completion, and possibility. From legacy and leadership to risk, resilience, and reinvention, these personal snapshots offer a powerful reminder: That the journey matters just as much as the milestone.

ONG TZE BOON
Co-Founder, BeyondX

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
To me, the thing I need to be best at is to liberate the greatness in everybody – that is my greatest joy. My strength lies in my understanding of how to activate good people. So I tell everyone in my office, “Only when you are successful and happy will I be happy.” That’s my measurement of achievement.

Even running ONG&ONG is never about money, it’s about doing it right, so the company can prosper beyond me. To me, we don’t need too much. After you’ve earned enough to cover your basic needs and wants, money is not the only consideration to be happy. If your towkay understands that you need to blossom, and that achievement gives you joy, that’s when you will feel happy at your job.

To me, it’s like a mother seeing a child play piano in Carnegie Hall, “That’s my kid!” – it’s that kind of joy that I enjoy. So I’d tell everyone, don’t chase the money, chase the joy of what you enjoy.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
In most contexts, 100 represents completeness, but it can also suggest a zero-sum game. If you give 10 per cent of your time to work, then you’re left with 90 per cent of your time to be. So, when someone says “100”, what excites me isn’t the idea of completeness, but the distribution.

When it comes to achievement, everybody has a vision, but that is only 1 per cent. The other 99 per cent is alignment. The combination of what you put in makes your achievement 100 per cent complete. Many people spend too much time perfecting the vision, but they are missing the point. It’s not just about the idea, but how you communicate it, how you align people with your idea, and how it becomes something others also believe in and want. That’s when it succeeds.

(Related: Ong Tze Boon - Running at his own pace)

SEAN LIM
Managing Partner, NWD Holdings

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
For me, success is defined by the ability to uplift and improve the lives of those around me. It’s not just about personal milestones, but about creating meaningful impact. One of the most significant moments in my journey came after my largest investment exit, when I was able to retire my parents and buy a new family car for my father. Despite having owned a number of luxury and high-performance vehicles in my journey thus far, that car holds the greatest emotional value. It wasn’t about the make or model – it was about what it represented: The fulfillment of a long-held promise and the ability to give back to those who sacrificed for me. That experience grounded me. It reminded me that true success lies not in what we accumulate, but in how we use our achievements to elevate the people who helped us get there.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you? 
The number 100 holds a profound duality for me – it signifies the completion of a full circle, yet also the dawn of a new chapter. Early in my career, I began with very little and eventually found success. But reaching that peak only deepened my desire to seek greater purpose, prompting me to embark on an entirely new professional path. Today, 100 also represents a deeply personal hope: That my grandmother, who is 92 and bravely navigating the challenges of dementia and mobility loss following two hip surgeries, will reach this milestone and beyond. She has been the unwavering foundation of my life, embodying resilience and grace. Honouring her legacy with a celebration of her 100 years would be a tribute not just to her longevity, but to the quiet strength that has shaped generations of our family. It’s a goal that fuels my personal and professional journey.

MARGARET WANG
CEO, Rhea Fertility and GenPrime

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
For me, success isn’t about milestones or external measures. I define it by the quality of relationships in my life and whether I’m learning and growing with others. So with success, it’s less about trophies and more about a feeling – a sense of alignment, connection, and forward momentum.

One moment that stands out was our Rhea Fertility/GenPrime team year-end reflection. We did a simple “rose, bud, thorn” exercise, but what struck me was how people shared.

The reflections went beyond surface-level wins. The team shared personal growth, vulnerable moments, professional hurdles, and genuine excitement for what’s ahead – from breaking ground in Singapore and Manila for our new clinics, forming strategic partnerships, and integrating new teams.

It all felt human; real. I think about that often because it captures the culture we’re building at Rhea Fertility and GenPrime. That kind of work doesn’t just happen once a year – it lives in the everyday. In that moment, I felt proud. Not just of what we’d done, but of who we were becoming and what we were building together.

“100” often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of “100” to you?
Growing up, “100” meant perfection. Anything less wasn’t enough. For years, I viewed success through the lens of performance, not progress. But over time, through the messy, nonlinear work of building and leading, I had to unlearn that. I shifted from perfectionism to a growth mindset – learning to value process, discomfort, and trying again.

Still, there’s one version of “100” I’ve held on to: 100% ownership. To me, “100” now means showing up with full accountability – for your role, your outcomes, your impact. It’s about owning mistakes as much as wins and rejecting a mindset of “that’s not my job” for “this matters, and I’m part of it.” That’s something I actively coach into our culture at Rhea Fertility and GenPrime.

In our field, operational tightness is absolutely paramount – it’s the backbone of trust and consistency in patient care. We own the goal, visualise the outcome, and don’t repeat mistakes. With that mindset, what we’re building can genuinely transform hopes of family-building into tangible reality. That’s the “100” I believe in.

NICHOLAS GOH
CEO, Verztec Consulting

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
Success, to me, goes beyond business achievements or recognition – it means having a loving family to return to, raising children who grow up with strong values to navigate life’s challenges, and living a life that blesses others through compassion, especially toward the marginalized. It’s about building a home and a legacy where love, faith, and resilience are nurtured and shared.

One moment I truly felt the joy of success was when I learned that my third child, my daughter, had been a source of encouragement and comfort to classmates going through difficult times. And just recently, my second child, my son, took a bold step to serve on his first mission trip to Cambodia with friends from Catholic Junior College. It was his first exposure on such a trip, and I was heartened by his willingness to step out of his comfort zone. Out of over 200 applicants, he was one of 30 students selected after a rigorous interview process. These simple yet profound acts reflected the values we’ve sought to instill – empathy, compassion, and inner strength. It wasn’t about grades or trophies, but about the kind of individuals they are becoming. That moment brought me deep joy because for me, success is defined by character, not just accomplishments.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?  The number ‘100’ often symbolises excellence and milestones. To me, it represents completeness – not in perfection, but in wholeheartedness. It signifies giving my all – whether in family, work, or community. It reminds me of the 100% commitment I strive to bring in raising my children, loving others, and making a meaningful impact. True success is forged through effort, uncertainty, and even failure. But when anchored in purpose, love, and legacy, every step becomes significant. Success, to me, is a way of life – one that transforms hearts and uplifts lives.

(Related: A Personal Touch)

COLIN SEAH
Director, Ministry of Design Pte Ltd

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
My professional journey is punctuated by two memorable, "bookended" moments, each representing a significant milestone and they encapsulate the trajectory from our early formative years to our current stage. 

The first unfolded in 2006, during our nascent years at Ministry of Design (MOD). It was the night we were honoured with the prestigious President's Design Award for our debut project, "The New Majestic Hotel.” Filled with anticipation at being in the Istana, I vividly recall watching my father, a man whose unwavering supporting and belief in my passions had shaped my path, shake the hand of President S. R. Nathan. This scene was more than just a public accolade for MOD; it was a deeply personal moment. It was a unique and public opportunity to say "thank you for everything, Pa." My architectural education abroad, which laid the very foundation for my career, was made possible by his tireless work and immense sacrifice.

The second pivotal moment occurred last year in Melbourne, Australia. It was then that I had the distinct honour of receiving the INDE Awards' "Luminary Award." This accolade, the highest honour bestowed by the INDE Awards, recognised MOD's sustained design excellence and our ongoing contributions to the broader design industry across the Indo-Pacific. For me, this award represented far more than just recognition of past achievements. It was a powerful affirmation that, even after years in the field, we have managed to remain true to our foundational ethos: To never stop questioning conventions, to constantly challenge the status quo, and to relentlessly redefine the boundless potential of design.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you? 
100 symbolises ultimate arrival; a state of absolute and utter perfection. It's that elusive ideal we all inherently yearn for throughout our lives and in all our endeavours. While such complete flawlessness remains beyond our grasp in this lifetime, its pursuit drives us. I believe that whilst this perfect "100" isn't meant for our current existence, it awaits us in the lifetime to come, a hopeful aspiration for what might be. Until then, it serves as a powerful metaphor for our continuous striving and longing for an ideal state of being.

(Related: How design disruptor Colin Seah is celebrating 20 years of transformative creativity)

CHUA HUI XIN
Chief People Officer & Executive Director, Unicorn

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
Success lies in showing up when it matters most. Years ago, while working with a C-suite investor on their family wealth plan, his wife was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. In that instant, priorities shifted. I paused the planning work and focused on supporting her –  both emotionally and physically. From heartfelt conversations to introducing her to Taichi, Qigong, and a trusted TCM physician, I walked alongside her as she underwent chemotherapy. Within a year, she made a full recovery. That experience showed me that true success is not defined by titles or numbers. It’s about being present, showing compassion, and making a difference where it mattered most.

Similarly, our successes at Unicorn are measured by improved lives and families served across generations. Our unique culture is proof that professional success can coexist alongside integrity and understanding. While our primary focus is on managing family wealth, we also aspire to support investors with other aspects in life if they allow us to – whether it is their health, relationships, personal or professional growth.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you? 
To me, 100 represents complete trust – a perfect score in not just what I do, but who I am as a person. When an investor trusts my character and competency 100% (fully), that’s my definition of success. In Chinese, we say “德才兼备”, which means both virtue and ability. As a professional, I believe character comes first. Without it, competency alone doesn't hold up. This belief guides how I lead and how I train my team. So for me, 100 isn’t just a number, but a reflection of who you are and how you show up for others. 

JOSHUA GOH
CEO, Scorpio Electric

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
Our efforts through the years came to fruition when we became the first Singapore electric motorcycle manufacturer to receive the Special Purpose License issued by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore. It was a meaningful moment for all of us at Scorpio Electric, as it validated the countless hours of innovation, testing, and perseverance we had poured into bringing our vision to life.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you? 
For me, it’s a 100kg snatch. Hitting that number was a recent personal achievement that came after years of practice, focus, and dedication to the sport of Olympic weightlifting. It wasn’t just about the weight – it was about discipline, consistency, and trusting the process. A core memory for sure.

(Related: How Scorpio Electric's Joshua Goh is driving innovation and making change)

PERCY HUNG
CEO & Founder, Choco Up

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
Success isn’t just a finish line; it’s the accumulation of small wins. Every challenge is a chance to innovate, and every step forward – even a misstep – offers valuable insight. What makes success truly meaningful is going through it as a team. Solving problems together, learning, and finally making it work; that’s when success feels real.

Earlier this year, we rolled out a new user journey at Choco Up. It was meant to make things easier, but instead, it left users more confused. It was a tough moment. But what made it special was how everyone – sales, product, ops – jumped in without hesitation. No blame, no ego, just heart. We listened closely to our users, made changes, tested again, and kept going until it worked. Today, the flow cuts activation time by over 30%. That sense of shared ownership, resilience, and care for doing right by our users – that’s when success truly feels meaningful.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you? 
For me, “100” isn’t about perfection – it’s about commitment. It’s about giving your full heart, even when things are messy, uncertain, or hard. Especially when you’re walking alongside someone trying to build something meaningful from scratch.

I always think about one of our earliest clients. They came to us with a big dream, but very little structure. Many turned them away, but we saw their grit and believed in them. Over time, they put in the work – cleaned up operations, grew their revenue, expanded their team, and found their voice in new markets. Today, they’re 10 times bigger than before. That, to me, is what “100” really stands for: Being there for the full journey. Celebrating progress, not perfection. And having the privilege of watching people rise, knowing you played a small part in their story.

JACK LOH & WEIKAI TAN
Co-Founders, Resistance

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
One moment that stands out was when we stopped trying to appeal to everyone and instead, committed to designing in a way that felt true to us. We didn’t know if there was a market for what we were doing – or if anyone would resonate with our approach. But we stayed honest to the design, the process, and the values that mattered to us. Turns out, our people were out there. We just had to be ourselves to find them. Clients called our approach unique. Collaborators leaned in with trust and excitement. And slowly, we realised we’d found our tribe.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
A hundred represents the journey – from 1 to 100. To us, it’s not just a symbol of success or a milestone reached. It’s everything that came before it. Every person, every project – big or small – plays a part in shaping who we are and what we create. It’s a quiet reminder that success isn’t a leap. It’s a build. Each moment, each collaboration, each decision adds up. 100 reminds us that progress happens step by step – often quietly, often imperfectly, but always with intention. It’s not about perfection. It’s about accumulation – of effort, trust, resilience, and care. Because it’s never just about the milestone. It’s about honouring the journey, the small wins, the hard days, the hands that build, and the trust that’s given. That’s what makes 100 meaningful.

(Related: The joy of designing small spaces)

WALTER DE OUDE
CEO & Founder, Chocolate Finance

Success comes with effort, uncertainty, or even failure. Can you share a moment when you truly felt the joy of success, and what made that moment meaningful?
For me, there isn’t just one moment of joy or success. The secret to success is waking up every day and loving what you do. If you wake up every day and say “Yay! I’m going to work today!”, then you’re halfway there.

The joy for me is in building something that I’m really proud of. Something useful that has never been done before and is unique. A challenge accomplished brings more joy than anything else. Most of the time it’s a work challenge, but a sports challenge achieved is equally fulfilling. When I founded Singlife, it was really hard, and many saw it as an ambitious move, questioning whether it could be done. But building it from the ground up, and showing that a nimble, focused player, could take on the industry giants, was more rewarding than the success itself.

Chocolate Finance is the same. We’re challenging the foundations of how to get better returns on your spare cash, and it’s working brilliantly – and when I see people appreciating the work we do, and loving the product and the Chocolate experience – that’s meaningful, and makes the journey worthwhile.

‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?  
For me, ‘100’ isn’t about hitting some perfect score or a finish line. It’s about giving my 100% to every single thing, all at once. People laugh at me when I say, “Go big or go home!” – but it's true. There’s no middle ground. It's all in, all the time.

There’s no such thing as perfect, but trying as hard as you can to be better is the ‘100’ for me. That often means making mistakes, too. Trying too hard has its own downside.  Sometimes, I forget I need to walk before I run. You can’t go all in and not make any mistakes along the way. Mistakes reduce your speed to zero and sometimes set you back, but it’s getting back to 100km per hour that I love.

In the realm that Chocolate’s competing in, the finish line is constantly moving. We’re building a fundamentally better way to get more out of money, and we’re winning – despite the hiccups along the way. You can’t afford to just dabble; you have to be all-in. That means 100% commitment to pushing boundaries, and 100% effort in pursuing awesomeness.