Since 2020, Wati has attracted over US$35 million from top investors, including DST Global Partners and Peak XV Partners. It is also the first start-up headquartered in Asia in which the e-commerce giant Shopify has invested.

“If your company is growing well, everything will follow,” Ho says.

The entrepreneur vividly remembers how tough it was to close the company’s Series B funding round in the same week as giving birth to her first child while also fighting off a Covid-19 infection. “My pregnancy was very eventful. On top of work, my body was doing a lot to ensure a healthy and happy human was born.”

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Ho remembers wanting to become a business leader since she was a child. “I remember putting CEO down as my dream job when I was young. Although I’m a COO now, I’m happy enough.”

Her grandmother, with whom she had lived for 18 years, inspired her entrepreneurial drive. After the death of her grandfather, who ran an import-export company with a business partner, her grandmother, who was a housewife raising four kids, was faced with two options: she could either let her late husband’s partner take over the venture or run it herself. Without hesitation, she chose the latter.

“It was not a time of relative prosperity. She had to deal with her husband’s death and fought for the ownership in quite a forceful way. She knew that her priority was to provide for her family.” Although Ho says she lacks her grandmother’s brashness—a quality she sometimes wishes she had more of in the business world—she was deeply inspired by her courage.

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Today, Ho oversees a team of 180 employees and many things go into managing such a large team—from issuing clear directives to different departments to looking for the right hire. She makes sure to sleep well, meditate regularly and take Chinese herbal supplements to power through. “I am a big believer in the idea that you must take care of yourself, your body and mind to have the stamina and clarity to run a company.”

When asked about her highs and lows of 2024, Ho pulls out a list she has written down on her phone. The highlights include giving birth to her second son, celebrating several milestones with Yeung and witnessing their company grow bigger and bigger. Inevitably, there were also difficult times, such as having to let go of staff earlier in the year.

Looking ahead to the coming year, Ho says Wati will continue to evolve and expand its service to more platforms through a new partnership with Google.

As Wati’s COO, she aims to continue learning to be a better leader. “[I need to] be the master architect of the company,” she says.

We asked Ho a round of quickfire questions to learn more about her venture, role and hobbies outside of work. 

What makes your organisation unique?

BH: We have 50 per cent female leaders in executive positions. We are a remote-first company with an incredibly diverse organisation. 

What motivates you to do what you do?

BH: Being part of a strong team. I want to be world-class at scaling up an organisation and a part of that journey.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

BH: Today is the cheapest day you can solve your problem.

What’s the best way to find inspiration?

BH: Reading. 

This article is part of Founder Stories, a series dedicated to discovering the untold stories and challenges of today’s entrepreneurs on their climb to the top.

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