In a world that’s often obsessed with instant wins and overnight results, true success is rarely a straight line. It is built through effort, uncertainty, and moments of quiet perseverance. As we celebrate PORTFOLIO’s 100th issue, we speak with founders, CEOs, creatives, and changemakers across industries to explore not just what success looks like – but what it feels like.
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.
(Related: The Power of 100, Part 2)
TOM CHNG
Founder, Singapore Watch Club
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?
A defining moment of joy came when we unveiled our club edition watch in collaboration with Vacheron Constantin last year. It was the result of months of discussion, design refinement, and trust on both sides.
To work alongside one of the oldest and most revered watchmakers in the world – and to be given the creative latitude to express our club’s identity – was an immense honour. But what made it truly meaningful was seeing how personally our members connected with the result. These weren’t just watches; they were tokens of shared passion, milestones in our journey, and symbols of the community we had built together.
In an industry that often leans on heritage and hierarchy, this project proved that a young, independent community from Singapore could make an impact not just locally, but globally. The joy was in knowing we had created something lasting – with care, conviction, and a clear point of view.
‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
“100” is a marker of intent. It shows that something wasn’t a passing experiment – it was built with purpose and followed through with discipline. Anyone can start something, but hitting 100 means you stayed the course and earned your place.
GUILLAUME GALLAS
General Manager, Mondrian Singapore Duxton
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 of the most meaningful moments of success for me wasn’t tied to a launch, but to a transformation. I took over as General Manager of Mondrian Singapore Duxton about six months after it opened. The challenge wasn’t starting from scratch – it was building on what already existed, refining the culture, and bringing the team together around a shared vision.
I remember one particular weekend when the hotel was full, the restaurants were buzzing, and the energy was just right. But what stood out most was the team – they moved with confidence, pride, and cohesion. It was a reflection of the work we’d done behind the scenes: Aligning departments, reinforcing standards, and creating space for ownership.
Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, once said, “Quality and creativity – that’s what people are really looking for.” That resonated deeply with me as I witnessed how our team delivered not just service, but thoughtful, creative experiences that truly reflected our brand’s promise.
That moment reminded me that leadership isn’t just about grand gestures or being there at the beginning. Sometimes, it’s about stepping in at the right time, listening closely, and guiding a place – and its people – toward their full potential. That’s the kind of success that stays with you.
‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
To me, “100” isn’t about perfection – it’s about intention. It represents full presence, full effort, and full accountability. It’s not about getting everything right all the time, but about showing up with 100 percent commitment, especially when it’s challenging, not glamorous.
So “100” is not a finish line for me. It’s a mindset. It’s what I ask of my team, and what I expect of myself – not perfection, but consistency, care, and pride in everything we touch. That’s what creates excellence over time – and that’s what our guests remember.
HUNN WAI
Co-Founder & Design Director, Lanzavecchia + Wai Design Studio
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?
After achieving my professional goals in my early 30s – such as winning awards, working with top brands, being represented by galleries, showing on global platforms, and having museum acquisitions of our works – I expected fulfilment and joy. But, surprisingly, it wasn't the defining moment I thought it would be. I'm grateful for the hard work and bravery that got me there – both mine and my team's.
This experience, however, sparked a deeper journey of self-discovery, prompting me to redefine what success, joy, and enough truly mean. As an innovator, I'm no stranger to ambiguity, and this inspired me to craft a personal framework for navigating life's complexities. By embracing this approach, I've learned to find value in every moment, letting go of judgment and overthinking, and instead, cultivating gratitude. This mindset has made every experience, whether extraordinary or everyday, profoundly meaningful.
‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
For me, “100” embodies the spirit of continuous growth and learning – the very purpose of my life's curiosity-driven journey. It reminds me that every step, iteration, and experience is a valuable contribution to my organic path. Rather than a fixed endpoint, I see “100” as a milestone that propels me forward, fuelling my exploration of new possibilities and pushing me to exceed my limits.
JASON KWAN
Owner, Lana Cakes
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?
Taking the reins of Lana Cakes was, admittedly, a formidable decision. What could a career banker possibly know about the intricate world of baking? The overwhelming question that loomed large was, “Would our cherished customers continue to patronise and buy our cakes after my mum?”
It was a profound challenge, to say the least, and it demanded a meticulous approach to how we would transform and adapt Lana Cakes. As we worked to ensure Lana Cakes was here to stay, we remained deeply attentive to our customers, reassuring them that we would journey through this transition together.
Now, eight years into this venture, the taste of success has truly been “baked” into the precious moments our customers continue to share. Their photos and stories of memorable occasions, where Lana Cakes has been an integral part of their lives, are our greatest reward. Every customer who has expressed their relief and appreciation for my return to continue the legacy has offered the most positive affirmation, a powerful reminder that I made the right decision.
‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
Last year, Lana Cakes celebrated its 60th year of existence, so the number 100 denotes an aspirational goal: We want to extend our legacy and heritage to a century and beyond.
What began in our home (Mrs Violet Kwan's home) in 1964 has blossomed into a beloved institution, its enduring success rooted in a rich history and a cherished connection with generations of Singaporeans. Team Lana is deeply dedicated to the continuity of this legacy, with the unwavering goal of reaching that centennial milestone.
GWEN TAN
Founder & Design Principal, Studio IF
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?
I felt truly triumphant at the completion of my 40m luxury yacht project that took two-and-a-half years to build from scratch. As a trained architect, I never imagined building a “house” that moves and nothing I had learned or experienced prior to this particular project had prepared me for this.
The client loved our proposed design and plan adjustments for the yacht but we were met with firm objections from the yacht builder right from the start, and our client wouldn’t accept no for an answer. Despite being caught in their crossfires, I knew I had to win the British yacht builder over and the only way to convince them to make the changes necessary was to work together to resolve the technical challenges we faced.
By coming up with creative solutions, my perseverance and commitment as a collaborative design partner slowly won them over. Countless hours were spent sitting side by side with their technical director sketching ideas and studying the yacht’s technical drawings, often with the work sessions ending late into the night, which is very uncommon for them as they are typically very rigid about their working hours.
When the project was finally completed, the entire yacht team in the UK and their Asia-Pacific sales team were super impressed with the outcome. We received much praise for pulling off what was the most amazing version of their 40m series at that point in time and we couldn’t be any prouder to have accomplished that as our first yacht project.
‘100’ often represents success, perfection, milestones. What is the significance of ‘100’ to you?
“100” means I have at least 50 more years (if I get to inherit my grandma’s longevity genes as she just turned 100 this year) to make creative contributions to the environment we live in and to create more positive impacts with social outcomes for the differently challenged.
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