Alumni Spotlight: How SIT Alumna How Kah Hwee Found Healing and Success Beyond the Balance Sheet (Part 1)
After graduating from SIT, Kah Hwee’s journey took unexpected turns, leading her to found Inwarmregard, a business combining art with purpose. Her story is a powerful reminder that life’s challenges often pave the way to meaningful transformation.
When How Kah Hwee graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) in 2017, she embarked on a journey that was anything but conventional. Today, she is the founder of Inwarmregard, a business that crafts illustrated animal designs on functional, everyday items.
Her Early Career
Her early career was a whirlwind of diverse experiences—teaching art to children, working as a cabin crew, and eventually transitioning into the corporate world of accounting.
Although she enjoyed the analytical aspects of her work, had strong relationships with her colleagues, and appreciated the corporate perks, a deeper desire for more meaningful and direct impact began to resurface. “In my early twenties I was very confused about what I should do for a living. Sitting in an office crunching numbers for someone else’s business never felt entirely aligned with me,” she reflects.
Over the course of her four years as an accountant, Kah Hwee struggled to balance work with her need for creative expression. To relieve stress and satisfy her creative cravings, she spent her evenings exploring crafts like sewing, painting, clay work, resin art, and embroidery. “Underneath it all, I was constantly seeking a business idea,” she admits, “but I came up with nothing for a very long time.”
As Kah Hwee continued her search for direction in life, an unexpected turn of events set her on a new trajectory—one that, though painful, would ultimately shape her future.
Turning Pain into Purpose
In March 2020, Kah Hwee was confronted by a family crisis: her grandmother’s sudden passing. When her grandmother suddenly lost consciousness, Kah Hwee attempted to resuscitate her. “I was in denial when I witnessed that moment, before I took action to perform CPR on her,” she recalls, “Whatever being a cabin crew taught me came in handy, but the real situation is far more chaotic and traumatic. I wasn’t able to save her, and the short 10 minutes became the turning point that kickstart my whole mental health journey.” After that incident, Kah Hwee’s mental health went on a downward spiral and sought therapy a year later.
Through therapy, Kah Hwee learned to navigate the complexities of grief and other difficult emotions, helping her recover from various traumatic events in her life. “When those internal obstacles are out of the way, it is easier to access my deeper self, truer needs and wants,” she shares. As she recognized that art had become an integral part of her for self-exploration and healing, her conviction to pursue it as a career grew stronger.
A year into her therapy journey, she founded her business, Inwarmregard.
Everything Happens for a Reason
Reflecting on this pivotal period, Kah Hwee says, “Perhaps life or the universe have things prepared for you at the right time, even if those are terrible things.”
Life is an ongoing discovery journey, and sometimes the path forward emerges from the most unexpected and difficult moments. We don’t always have to have everything figured out. For Kah Hwee, a series of seemingly unrelated experiences — from her corporate career to a personal crisis — ultimately guided her to a place where she could fully embrace her passion for art and advocate for various meaningful causes.
Life’s challenges can be the catalysts for growth, providing the clarity and resilience needed to forge your unique path. Keep exploring, stay curious, and remember that every step, even the difficult ones, is a part of your story — one that could lead to something meaningful and transformative!
To explore Kah Hwee’s creations, please visit Inwarmregard and stay tuned for Part 2 of Kah Hwee’s story!
The Alumni Spotlight series shares personal and intimate stories of SIT alumni. Know someone with a unique story, or have an interesting experience to share? Contact us here!
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