Since then, Chow quickly found herself regularly working on projects that would champion local designers despite making multiple career changes. 

“For example, I worked as the project director for Keepers: Singapore Designer Collective which was a pop-up that was the predecessor to Design Orchard where I got to work with many local brands,” Chow said. 

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Chow also worked as project director for Shanghai Fashion Week’s emerging designer platform, Labelhood, founded a fashion marketing consultancy in 2013 and co-founded a fashion-tech company, Fuse, in Shanghai. 

It was while she was working on Fuse that Chow made her life-changing trip to Lady Elliot Island.

“I just had this revelation about the world, my life and my purpose and this was what made me want to zero in on climate action,” explained Chow. 

With all her experience in branding and advertising at her fingertips, Chow decided to pool all her resources to launch Pass It On in 2019.

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Shortly after Pass It On was started, Chow decided to go in with her very first product. 

“It was meant to be a simple fund-raising campaign to contribute to Eden Reforestation Project’s tree planting cause and so after months of research and development, we launched a plantable candle,” Chow said. 

The candles, which are today the company’s bestselling product, are made with soy wax, beeswax and coconut wax. When the candle is finished, the pot can be cleaned and filled with soil pellets that are provided.

After that, you can take the seed paper the candle comes with, bury it and watch it grow into a plant after a few weeks.

The response Chow received was incredible and what began as a simple project quickly developed into Chow wanting to continue moving forward with the product and building up the brand which today, offers a wide range of sustainable lifestyle products.

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“Pass It On has three main focus areas, we see ourselves as innovators who develop and design our own products. We also see ourselves as retailers who source and curate items from like-minded brands around the world and sell them on our platforms,” Chow explained. “Finally, we are also advocators who conduct events, talks and workshops to spread the word about sustainable living.”

She continued by adding that Pass It On was also very aware of green-washing (the practice of misleading customers into thinking a practice or product is more environmentally positive than it actually is) and that they aim to move away from that in their lineups. 

Today, Pass It On is thriving with a slew of products and events lined up. Most recently, the brand launched Singapore’s first immersive retail experience for sustainable home and lifestyle brands in July this year.

Titled Green-House, the two-day event brought together over 40 local businesses in a four-story conservation shophouse. Besides bringing shoppers together, the event saw the people behind these products coming together to show off how their products worked and to inspire consumers to kickstart their sustainable journey. 

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Fresh off the success of the event, Pass It On is now looking to launch the second edition of the event as well as to continue bringing in more international and local sustainable brands under their retail platform.

With managing the brand, creating new products and balancing her friends and family, we spoke to Chow to find out how she makes it in her own words. 

What is a typical morning like for you?

Michelle Chow (MC): I take 45 minutes to have my coffee, water the plants, feed my cats and lovebird, go through my calendar, check messages, and then 15 minutes to get changed, put on sunscreen and go to work.

What do you usually have for breakfast?

MC: I usually have coffee only.

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What does a standard work day look like for you?

MC: It looks like clearing emails and checking in with the team on retail customers and corporate clients’ requests and orders. There’s also much planning for product development, content, social media and website communications.

I also dedicate one to two hours to read up on environmental issues and research new innovations within this space to get inspired.

How would you describe your working style?

MC: Fluid but with a very clear North Star. I believe this trickles down to all aspects in the way I work. As a leader, I like to encourage the team to explore different ways of approaching the task, and only when I feel the approach is beginning to go off-tangent, will I step in to give more guidance. As a peer, I like to be collaborative as I feel that’s when the best ideas are generated. 

What time do you usually have lunch? What do you usually have for lunch?

MC: Around 1 pm. I tend to go for something with fewer carbohydrates and more vegetables.

Free time: overrated or underrated? Why?

MC: Underrated. I think a lot of people see productivity as having to be always busy at work. To me, being productive doesn’t have to only be about checking off your work to-do lists.

It’s also carving out time to experience new things and catch up with friends. Free time allows you to do something different, which can help you be more efficient and creative at work.

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How do you achieve a work-life balance? How do you set boundaries?

MC: I start work at 9 am and end around 7 pm. I’m usually quite serious at work and will be hyper-focused, so once I’m off work, I switch off completely. Well, at least 95 per cent of the time, with five per cent left for urgent matters. My evenings are always kept for time with family, friends, pets, plants and of course, myself.

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How do you chase your dreams?

MC: I keep my eyes fixed on my goals and turn up every day to work towards them, no matter how big or small the steps may be.

Risks: should you take them? Why or why not?

MC: I believe in calculated risk, and yes you should definitely take them. Otherwise, you’ll never get closer to your goals.

How do you deal with your shortcomings?

MC: It begins with the difficult first step of setting the intention to work on my shortcomings. Having me-time to reflect on what needs to be improved is crucial, so I try to be mindful of that.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?

MC: A twist on the Serenity Prayer from John G. Miller: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the ones I can, and the wisdom to know—it’s only me I can change.”

What is an idea/thought that you heard recently, that you thought was interesting?

MC: How [we can] possibly use Web 3.0 to help elevate sustainability efforts?

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How do you unplug?

MC: Get off the Internet and reconnect with nature.

How do you stay grounded?

MC: I constantly remind myself that beyond all the hard work that has been put into the brand, ultimately I am very blessed and lucky to have met the right people at the right time, and this is not entirely my own doing.

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How do you manage stress?

MC: I know I’m at my best in the mornings and most anxious at night, so I never allow myself to dig deep into work just before I sleep. I will always leave two to three hours of leisure time before I turn in, and leave the day’s stresses for the next morning.

How do you stay motivated?

MC: I’m always motivated—until we reach our goal.

What is one item that has changed your life for the better?

MC: The menstrual cup.

Do you have moments of doubt and how do you overcome them?

MC: I try to stay present, to look at what’s happening around me right at the moment, and be grateful for what I have.

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What would you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?

MC: To be comfortable with my own definition of success.

What would you still like to accomplish?

MC: The next big milestone is to own a residential space that can allow for guests to stay, experience and learn how to live sustainably.

What is the last thing you do before you go to bed?

MC: I definitely do not go through my to-do list before I go to bed.

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