Charis Ow and Kim May Chee only met about four years ago, but they got on like a house on fire. After all, they are both first-time mothers, business owners, and thirty-something-year-olds with decades of experience behind them yet they have so much more to learn and give. Just last year, they spent their first overseas trip together in Singapore to catch Taylor Swift’s The Eras tour.
“I would say we have a low-maintenance friendship…one that I would like to keep for many, many years,” Charis candidly shares about their bond. Kim chimes in with equal fervour, “I never expected us to grow so close or to have supported each other throughout our journey. It’s really nice to have like-minded women that uplift each other to reach new heights and celebrate life and little wins together.”
Interestingly, the two met through Charis’ husband, who was initially in talks with Kim – the CEO and founder of Malaysia’s first blow-dry bar, COCOdry – to open a café at her first outlet in Bangsar. Although that plan didn’t pan out, Charis, the founder of NIKO & CLARE as well as a content creator with acting and singing chops to her name, dropped by said outlet on his recommendation. They clicked, and as they say, the rest is history.
Despite all they share in common, both women also face unique challenges as first-time mothers and entrepreneurs in their own right.
Third time’s the charm
For Charis, becoming a mother was the hardest challenge she has ever faced. In 2021, she suffered her first miscarriage at ten weeks of pregnancy. She received the news during a checkup that showed her baby’s heartbeat was growing faint, confirming the dreaded M-word. Although the ordeal was distressing, she bounced back with a second pregnancy just a few months after her dilatation and curettage (D&C) surgery.
Alas, she had to endure another miscarriage – this time through natural discharge, which was the most painful experience she had ever gone through. “Physically, that was very daunting for me. It definitely took a toll on my physical and mental well-being,” she admits. “I can say now that a woman’s body is really amazing – the pain that it can go through, I was surprised that I could handle it myself.”
But overcome, she did. With months of mindful rest, regular supplements, several fertility tests, and help from her gynaecologist and support system, she eventually discovered that she was expecting for the third time. “I remember seeing a rainbow sticker on a chair at my friend’s 40th birthday party,” she enthusiastically recalls how she found out. “Some kid must have left it there, but it gave me a glimmer of hope, you know?”
The following few days saw a whirlwind of emotions, no thanks to mixed signals from pregnancy tests and her menstrual cycle. Even when her doctor finally broke the good news, the anxiety and uncertainty from her past haunted her up until her second trimester. Not to mention a health scare from an internal bleeding episode in her first term, too.
All these struggles (and then some) turned out to be well worth it when Charis finally held her firstborn in her arms last August. “I can safely say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been since having Scotley,” she beams in retrospect. The sparkle in her eyes accompanying her glowing smile says it all. Motherhood looks good on Charis.
Back to business
Having settled down with her beautiful baby boy, Charis looks forward to returning to another passion that was temporarily halted last year – her clothing label, NIKO & CLARE. Founded in 2021, the brand initially offered “Mummy and Me” apparel for mothers and their kids. Ironically, becoming one has given her a fresh perspective that led her to change this direction.
“Now that I have a baby, I think I understand better about what real mums want… because Scotley is always topless or in comfortable clothing!” she confesses with a hearty laugh. “Moving forward, we’ll be making mainly occasion wear for children as that’s usually when mothers want to wear matching clothing.”
And who better to partner with for her relaunch collection than our co-cover star, Kim? The upcoming NIKO & CLARE x COCOdry collaboration will be a women-only line, so keep your eyes peeled this summer for updates.
“I think there’s so much strength in getting help and accepting that you can do anything but not everything.”
On the other hand, Charis continues to churn entertaining videos and photos on her social platforms – but with an added niche. “Content creation is still my bread and butter, but things have changed in a way that I get approached by many motherhood brands now. I also feel like I’m being opened up to a whole new world of baby products – there’s so many things for a small human!” she points out.
With so many roles to juggle, Charis’ key to managing them all is simple: prioritise. “As much as my child is my priority, I feel like my marriage is more important. Throughout my miscarriages, [my husband] has always been there. He really stepped up as a father and I learned so much from him,” she asserts. “The biggest lesson here is keeping that relationship strong and building a good foundation. In a way, I think that will also teach Scotley to find a good wife and be a good husband.”
And whenever help is needed, she isn’t afraid to ask for it – whether it’s a family member to look after her child or a videographer to edit content for a client. Besides, she believes that a superwoman is someone who stays authentic even when things are tough. “I think there’s so much strength in getting help and accepting that you can do anything but not everything. When you choose to get help, you are also helping yourself to be strong mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally,” she resolves.
Born to lead
Speaking of help, Kim is one of those kind souls you’ll find often on the giving end of it. This says a lot about her as an entrepreneur who started her first venture at only 26. You could say it was in her blood, having grown up watching her father build a business without proper education or experience.
“Before I started COCOdry, I had so many business ideas. I would go to business talks to get inspiration, advice, and identify the gaps in the industry,” Kim tells, attributing her leap into the industry to the “girlboss” wave five years back. While Sophia Amaruso’s book and its adapted Netflix show ignited that spark in her, she was determined to make a difference in whatever field she chose to enter. It just so happened to be the hair industry – following in her father’s footsteps while carving her own path.
“I’ve always believed in doing well by doing good and changing the industry wherever we found gaps,” she elaborates. “For example, my goal for COCOdry from the start was to create an inclusive salon, whereby every outlet we open will have a private room to serve hijabis without any extra charges.”
“In order for your people to do well, you must do well.”
COCOdry further sets itself apart by being one of the first to introduce local faces of all shapes, sizes, and hair types instead of the white, Korean, or Japanese models you’ll notice at most salons. Since its inception, the blow-dry bar has worked with a B Corporation to ensure its products and services are natural, environment-friendly and sustainable. The team also actively hosts community building and welfare events, from providing free breast cancer screenings to supporting other women-led businesses.
Through it all, Kim’s purpose remains clear: to invest in people and their growth. It’s for this reason that she decided to convert her third outlet in Platinum Park into a full-fledged salon, so that the team there can develop new skills. “I believe that in order for your people to do well, you must do well. So, I take pride and responsibility in what I do by giving my team members a chance to shine and pursue their goals,” she opines.
You can’t win them all
Being naturally career-driven, having children was never something Kim eagerly anticipated. Nevertheless, she was pleasantly surprised when she learned that her husband’s long-awaited dream of becoming a father had come true out of the blue. “Running a business already takes up so much of my time. I wasn’t sure if I could be a good mum too, so that was my biggest concern,” she reflects.
Kim admits that the arrival of her firstborn, Kobe, in 2022 had caused strains in various areas of her life: “It’s not just about being an entrepreneur and a mum, but also a wife and in-law. Having to juggle everything and hitting the mark is not easy. There’s constant worrying and guilt.”
Upon introspection on her priorities, however, she realised the need to be more intentional about what she would say yes to. It boils down to two things: what’s important to her and how she wants to spend her time. “As much as I love being a girlboss, if I could only pick one, I would honestly pick motherhood,” she says, adding light-heartedly, “Of course, if I could pick both, I would do that.”
This brings us to her latest “yes” – Peachy Projects, a marketing agency she co-founded in February. Kim is responsible for setting up the business and bringing in clients, while her partner, Tasha Glen, looks after the day-to-day operations. In less than three months, the company has serviced more than 10 clients including Burger King, Lumi Beauty, and Callie Mask.
“My long-term vision is to invest in more women-founded businesses. Having an agency as your marketing arm is very important because I can get into any business with a strong marketing team to help build the business directly,” she divulges, circling back to her purpose. “People are the foundation of everything you do. If you have the right people to work with, the boat you’re in will just sail naturally.” It’s still early days, but this boat seems to be headed in the same direction as COCOdry – success.
Every woman can be a superwoman
While Charis and Kim may be poster girls for our Superwomen theme, they are quick to point out that it doesn’t always feel that way. “No matter what you do, some people will say you’re not good enough. But no one truly understands what you go through other than yourself, so I think it’s important for every woman out there to give yourself credit for what you do,” Kim deduces. “Ultimately, I think a superwoman is someone who gives her best in every thing she does and always stays grounded.”
As for women who may be struggling with their self-worth, Charis shares, “Do not underestimate your strength. You can do more than you think you can. Somehow, we just have that power and strength within us, so never give up and keep trying.” She’s the living testament of this.
Meanwhile, Kim has a few words of wisdom for those feeling the weight of carrying multiple roles: “Fill your own cup and take care of yourself first. Then you will have the energy and capacity to take care of everyone around you.” How exactly does Kim fill her cup? She attests that something as simple as keeping a daily gratitude journal and meditating can do wonders. Or, you know, belting out to a Taylor Swift concert with another supportive superwoman.
Featured image: Charis and Kim wear outfits from Max Mara.
Editor: Natalie Khoo
Assisted by: Aqilah Najwa & Hanan Khair
Art direction: Anson Siau & Mon Kai Siong
Styling: Alicia Wong & Mon Kai Siong
Photography: Herry Chia Ee of Herry Studio
Assisted by: Birdy Lee & Brandan Saviour
Videography: Haoyii
Hair and makeup: Asaki & Xiao Bai of COCOdry
Read more of FirstClasse Malaysia’s Inspire digital cover stories here.