Cover Founder of Naked Blend, Vikki Tear
Founder of Naked Blend, Vikki Tear
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The founder of Naked Blend and Soycraft opens up about her mother’s cancer diagnosis and how it motivated her to venture into the wellness industry
Inspiration can come from anywhere and at any time. For local entrepreneur Vikki Tear, she finds it from the people within her inner circle. Case in point: her first business venture, Naked Blend, was inspired by her own mother.
Having graduated with an honours degree in Finance at University College Dublin, Tear started working the finance industry before deciding to dip her toes in the startup industry. In 2016, Tear joined her sister’s fintech startup PolicyPal as Head of People. “During my time there, I supported the growth and operations of the business while making quality connections with business partners and employees,” she explains.
Her time in the startup space had taught her to be “adaptable and open minded”, especially when she had to step out of her comfort zone.
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Above Entrepreneur Vikki Tear is constantly inspired by those around her
Entrepreneur Vikki Tear is constantly inspired by those around her
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During her time at PolicyPal, Tear’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. On top of her surgery, her mother also suffered “persistent unexplained joint pains and body aches”.
To improve her health, her mother began adopting a vegetarian diet. The change in diet saw “remarkable improvement” in her physical and mental health. Her joint pains and body aches had also disappeared.
Tear started looking for health supplements to complement her mum’s new lifestyle but failed to find “quality and delicious” products. The gap in the market had led her to venture into the wellness industry.
Above Tear's first venture, Naked Blend offers plant-based supplements
Tear's first venture, Naked Blend offers plant-based supplements
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“I always want the best for her and what better way to ensure that high quality and nutritional value than developing a formula myself,” the entrepreneur shares.
From there, she set out to create plant-based supplements that encourage consumers to improve and nurture both their health and mental well-being. “As my knowledge increased from learning more about the benefits of a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, I was more motivated than ever to enter the wellness industry with a heavy plant-based focus,” Tear explains.
This also led her to adopt a flexitarian diet, making a “conscious effort to consume plants over meat”. Tear also understands that switching to a vegan lifestyle is not easy.
Thus, she also created her products around those looking to adopt a more “mindful” lifestyle. “Tasty, easy-to-prepare products like what Naked Blend offers is a good starting point for those looking to change their lifestyles with more plant-based products,” she adds.
Today, Naked Blend offers a selection of supplements ranging from detox sachets to skin boosters.
That said, getting here wasn’t all smooth sailing. “The road to entrepreneurship is often a treacherous one filled with unexpected detours, roadblocks and dead ends,” Tear recounts.
She further shares that throughout her journey, her loved ones have been her greatest motivator. “Everything I’m doing is for my loved ones,” she says. With that focus in mind, Tear was able to push through her trials and get to where she is today.
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Above Tear and her pomeranian, Soya
Tear and her pomeranian, Soya
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It is clear by now that Tear’s loved ones constantly inspire her to come up with new ideas, and this includes her fur friends. How so, you ask? Her latest venture, SoyCraft, was inspired by her adorable pomeranian, Soya. Founded in 2021, SoyCraft came about when Tear was not able to find a pet carrier that was comfortable, functional and elegant.
Between running her businesses and caring for her loved ones, we sit down with the entrepreneur to learn more about her business journey so far, her experiences in the industry and how she goes about her daily life.
What is a typical morning like for you?
Vikki Tear (VT): After the alarm goes off, I usually do a quick three-minute stretch in bed before going through my morning skincare routine. Then I prepare breakfast for Soya, my beloved pomeranian dog. While she eats, I will make myself a cup of Naked Blend plant-based milk tea.
What do you usually have for breakfast?
VT: I enjoy starting my day off with Naked Blend Milk Tea. It helps me to stay focused and boosts my metabolism. To protect my skin, I watch my sugar intake. So the milk tea is perfect for me as it’s plant-based made with zero-calorie stevia, and safe for diabetics.
What does a standard workday look like for you?
VT: As a business owner of multiple brands, no two days are alike. Running an e-commerce business is all-encompassing and requires me to be a jack of all trades rather than being a specialist in a specific area. A typical workday can vary depending on my current projects and urgent tasks, but I often have a structured plan to ensure I achieve the most out of each day.
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Free time: overrated or underrated? Why?
VT: Free time for an entrepreneur is definitely overrated. People often think we can do work “own-time-own-target” style. However, the truth is, we are working all day and all night more often than not. Even during my downtime, work is often still at the back of my mind. My mind gears are always turning, thinking about what I can do to improve the business and considering potential possibilities and future plans.
How do you achieve a work-life balance? How do you set boundaries?
VT: Work-life balance is definitely still a work in progress for me. I realised that ever since I’ve gotten Soya, my work-life balance has improved as I’m able to disconnect from work better and also start saying ‘no’ to late meetings or invitations to events.
How do you unplug?
VT: Spending time with Soya is now my favourite way to unplug. She is my best mood booster. When I am feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, I put all my electronic devices away, disconnect online and spend some quality time with Soya. I particularly enjoy spending time in nature with her—it is undoubtedly one of the best ways for me to breathe and clear my mind.
How do you chase your dreams?
VT: I break my dreams down into smaller, more manageable goals. Then, I set measurable milestones paired with an action plan so I can work towards these smaller targets. When I come across paths where I have to make a choice, I like listing out the pros and cons of each path and then evaluating my choices to make the best possible decision.
What is one failure that you have experienced and what did you learn from it?
VT: One failure I experienced was failing to properly validate my business idea before launching. That led to an unsustainable business model. What I learnt from this failure is the importance of conducting thorough market research and validating my business idea before investing significant resources. By taking the time to validate my business idea, I can avoid the pitfalls of launching a product or service that no one wants or is willing to pay for.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?
VT: “Stay agile and never stop innovating”. This advice highlights the importance of staying flexible and continuously seeking innovation in the fast-paced and constantly changing world of business.
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Risks: should you take them? Why or why not?
VT: Taking risks is an inherent part of entrepreneurship. Starting a business often involves stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks that you wouldn't otherwise take. However, taking risks doesn't mean being reckless. It's important to evaluate the risks and weigh the potential rewards before making any decisions.
How do you deal with your shortcomings?
VT: I see shortcomings as opportunities for growth and improvement. To deal with my shortcomings, I start by acknowledging my weaknesses and always seek feedback. I enjoy hearing observations from my team, mentors, and even customers. I listen to their opinions and take them into consideration when I make future decisions. With proper feedback, I can evaluate how to improve and overcome my flaws.
How do you stay grounded?
VT: I cherish quality time and advice from my family and loved ones. Family time is especially important to me and my mother is the main inspiration for me to start Naked Blend. She always taught me to count my blessings and prioritise my own well-being first.
How do you manage stress?
VT: I try my best to manage my tasks with strict time management and prioritisation. This discipline helps minimise my stress and eliminate distractions because I can focus on each task individually. I have a separate office space in my home, which also helps me focus on completing my prioritised tasks.
How do you stay motivated?
VT: I celebrate my small wins and blessings along the way. I also like to turn to my journal and remind myself why I started this journey—to improve the lives of my loved ones.
How do you prioritise tasks?
VT: I like to determine the urgency and consider the impact of the tasks when it comes to prioritising. When evaluating the urgency, some tasks may be time-sensitive and require immediate attention. I will identify these tasks and prioritise them first on my list of to-dos.
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
