5 Minutes With... Stephanie Chai, Founder of The Luxe Nomad

Scroll through Stephanie Chai’s Instagram (@steph_chai) and you may find yourself slipping into a serious case of #wanderlust. From the beautiful bathtubs to powdery beach posts, it’s no secret that the former model and television host loves to travel.

After appearing in commercials and television programmes, Chai used $60,000 from her savings to start her own Asia-Pacific travel booking site The Luxe Nomad in 2012. Offering exclusive deals, travel tips and insider guides for members, the website boasts a curated list of luxury villas, hotels and resorts to complete any traveller’s dream escape.

Fast forward to today, her online business has expanded into neighbouring countries with regional offices in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Here, we get up close with the frequent traveller to learn more about the challenges she faces at work, as well as her dreams in five years’ time. 

I start my day with… checking my phone. But before [checking my] work emails, it’s just a look at Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp before I really “wake up” and the work mode sets in.
Most people don’t know this about me, but I… spent my childhood growing up in Kuching, East Malaysia. There were only six kids in my morning class (as it was a small international school) so there was always a 50 per cent chance to win a prize. Haha!
My childhood dream was… rather ambitious. Part-time head of the UN (save the world!), doctor (to keep my parents happy), hairdresser (as my mum always went on about her hair), entrepreneur and actress — my two passions from young. [I’m] happy to say [that] being a doctor and hairdresser was [just] a fleeting moment!
The most challenging part of my job is… staying ahead of the game. Things change so fast nowadays online and you really can’t afford to kick back and take a chill pill.
In five years, I would like to… settle down with family and kids and [be] involved in environmental issues, as global warming is becoming more and more of an urgent issue to address. I think in five years, The Luxe Nomad would have grown to a point where I would be more in an advisory position and not be so operational.

“Looking back, the best lesson I’ve learnt as an entrepreneur is… not to give up. There were times when I questioned things and thought, ‘Should I stop?’”

Looking back, the best lesson I’ve learnt as an entrepreneur is… not to give up. There were times when I questioned things and thought, “Should I stop?” But I kept going and you know what, in time, the solutions appear if you focus hard enough.
If I could tick one thing off my bucket list this year… [it’ll be] to go to the Maldives again! It’s been seven years and no other islands [are] comparable.
My proudest accomplishment to date is… living my dreams. From modelling during my university days and shooting TV commercials for Olay, to being a TV presenter and of course, launching The Luxe Nomad. I count myself very lucky that I have always done something I love.
Now is my time to… expand the property management division in our company. We have started managing luxury apartments and villas for short-term rental so our customers can now check into a Luxe Nomad property.
I wish people would stop saying… “you can’t sit with us” on Instagram — it assumes people want to sit with you in the first place haha!
People seem to have forgotten how to… switch off. I, for one, am guilty of that!
I know I can click with someone when…  we laugh together.

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