From Crystals to Conscious Living: My 12-Year Wellness Journey

Twelve years ago, I made a decision that changed everything. I left the comfort of my corporate job to follow a quiet voice within me — a voice that told me to take a leap of faith and build something from the heart.

It all began with a little pushcart at Bugis Junction. I still remember the excitement (and nervousness!) of setting up my tiny space, arranging crystals and gemstones one by one, hoping someone would stop by. To my surprise, people didn’t just stop to look — they stopped to talk, to share their stories, and to connect. That was when I realised this was never just about selling crystals. It was about creating moments of connection and meaning.

In those early days, I also faced a fair bit of skepticism. The crystal trade wasn’t something most people understood back then. The elderly folks around me even gave me a nickname — “jiok tao kia” (the little boy selling stones). Many friends and business associates thought I was doing feng shui, and at networking sessions, I would often have to explain that I wasn’t a master telling fortunes. What I was really doing was helping people connect with themselves, their energy, and their intentions through crystals.

It wasn’t always easy to be misunderstood, but that nickname — “jiok tao kia” — became a reminder of where I started. And with time, those skeptical smiles turned into genuine curiosity, which opened doors to conversations about healing, balance, and conscious living.

From the pushcart, the journey carried me to pop-up events across malls in Singapore. Each setup was different, but the feeling was the same — every event brought new faces, new stories, and new lessons.

Eventually, we opened our first flagship retail outlet at Shaw Towers, and later, spent the last five years at Bras Basah Complex. Those spaces hold some of my fondest memories. They were more than shops — they became gathering points. Customers turned into friends, and friends turned into a community. Looking back, I realise these years shaped not just Gemstory, but me as a person too.

As meaningful as those years were, I felt a gentle nudge to evolve. I began to see that wellness couldn’t stay confined to shelves or counters. It had to be experienced. It had to be lived.

That’s how GenWell™ was born. From retail spaces to experiential wellness, my passion has now blossomed into creating workshops and activities that allow people to pause, reset, and reconnect. From AromaGems Mist to Gem Canvas Art, from team-bonding workshops to private wellness experiences, my focus has shifted from “things you buy” to “moments you live.”

Leaving the corporate world, running a pushcart, facing skepticism, building retail outlets — each step taught me resilience and courage. But more importantly, it showed me the beauty of people.

Every face I’ve met, every story shared, has reminded me why I do this. Wellness is not about perfection. It’s about connection. It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported — whether in a mall, in a workshop, or in a quiet moment with themselves.

If there’s one truth I hold close, it’s this: wellness is not a destination. It’s a journey, filled with twists, turns, and moments of rediscovery.

From that small pushcart to where I stand today, I’ve learned that every stage has meaning. And now, through GenWell™, I hope to continue walking alongside others on their journey — to remind them that wellness can be simple, soulful, and always within reach.

And maybe, just maybe — that “jiok tao kia” who once sold stones at Bugis has now grown into someone who creates experiences of wellness, connection, and conscious living. ✨

Thank you for being part of my story. The journey continues, and I’m grateful we get to walk it together.