Ivan Tiong and Dr. Zeng Zhou Tan offer a treasure 'Trove' of wellness

Ivan Tiong, the founder of Wellness Pot, and Dr. Zeng Zhou Tan, the business development director tell us about Trove, their most recent venture in the field of beauty and wellness.

Trove is a luxurious platform that offers a curated selection of high-end self-care products, focusing on personal discovery and indulgence. Their collection includes niche fragrances from renowned brands like Etat Libre d’Orange and Parfums MDCI, as well as premium skincare from brands like Margy’s Monte Carlo, Natura Bissé, and Niance, to name a few. The business emphasises creating multi-sensory experiences and bringing together unique treasures from around the world. Trove encourages customers to embrace a lifestyle of exploration and sophistication, making each visit an immersive, luxury experience.

What is perhaps most surprising is that both Tiong and Tan didn’t initially start in the skincare industry. But how exactly did two professionals from such divergent fields end up creating a multi-brand wellness empire? We sat down with Tiong and Tan to explore their journey from professional industries to becoming leaders in Malaysia’s beauty and wellness scene.

Engineering beauty

“My experience in oil and gas wasn’t wasted. The skills I learned in managing people and crafting career paths for my team have been invaluable in running my own company.”

Ivan Tiong, who possesses a degree in mechanical engineering, spent a decade working in the oil and gas sector prior to starting the business. So, what led him to make such a drastic career change? “I was always passionate about skincare,” Tiong mentions. “Helping people achieve better skin, a better version of themselves – it was a calling that I couldn’t ignore. And that’s why I started this business in 2015 by representing a Parisian brand, Biologique Recherche. From there, we’ve grown to curate multiple niche skincare and beauty brands,” he reveals.

While Tiong’s leap into the beauty industry might sound like a sharp detour, it was actually a deeply considered move. He had spent years mastering the corporate skills needed to run a successful business, such as leadership and team development, before venturing out on his own. “My experience in Shell wasn’t wasted. The skills I learned in managing people and crafting career paths for my team have been invaluable in running my own company,” Tiong says.

“I’ve always been interested in skincare, particularly because of my own skin issues growing up.”

Dr. Zeng Zhou Tan’s journey is equally exciting. A practising dentist for seven years, Tan made a chance discovery when sourcing skincare products for his dental and aesthetic clinic. This serendipitous encounter sparked his transition into the wellness industry. “It was a huge career shift for me,” Tan explains. “But like Ivan, I’ve always been interested in skincare, particularly because of my own skin issues while growing up. When I discovered Biologique Recherche which is among the gold-standard in skincare products, I knew I had to get involved. And that’s how our collaboration began,” Tan shares, as he befriended Tiong who was the official distributor locally for the brand.

For Tiong and Tan, their move from engineering and dentistry into wellness wasn’t just a career switch – it was a passion project that has grown into something far more meaningful. As Tiong succinctly puts it, “I do miss my previous colleagues but I don’t miss my old job; I wake up every day excited to go to work, knowing I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”

The birth of Trove

ivan tiong zeng tan wellness pot — On Ivan Tiong: Jewellery by FRED. On Dr. Zeng Zhou Tan: Outfit by Sandro, jewellery by FRED.

“These brands look for honest and dedicated partners who can protect their vision. We work closely with the creators, ensuring that we not only represent their products but their ethos.”

Wellness Pot was founded nine years ago with a focus on spa services, but post-Covid, the business expanded into retail under the banner of Trove, their multi-brand store. The duo now curates not only skincare and fragrances but also lifestyle products, each selected with meticulous care during their global travels. “We’re treasure hunters,” says Tan with a smile. “We travel, experience different brands in their home countries, and if they resonate with our vision, we bring them back to Malaysia,” he reveals.

Their selection process is driven by a deep connection with the creators of the brands they showcase. For Tan and Tiong, it’s not just about the product but the story behind it. “We need to connect with the creators,” says Tan. “It’s about passion. These brands aren’t mass-market – they are niche, with a cult following of their own, and we take pride in being their guardians in Malaysia,” Tan shares.

But what makes Wellness Pot a trusted partner for these international brands; and why would the brands need such partners? Tiong elaborates, “These labels look for honest and dedicated partners who can protect their vision. We work closely with the creators, ensuring that we not only represent their products but their ethos as well. It’s a personal relationship, and that’s what sets us apart from large corporations.”

ivan tiong and zeng tan — Ivan Tiong and Dr. Zeng Zhou Tan were brought together by their discovery of Biologique Recherche. On Ivan: Jewellery by FRED. On Dr. Zeng: Outfit by Sandro, jewellery by FRED.

As the conversation shifts to their future plans, it’s clear that this duo are not resting on their laurels. “We’re always on the lookout for new treasures,” says Tan. “It’s an endless journey of discovery, whether it’s skincare, lifestyle products, or even functional medicine, which we’ve recently ventured into. We want to elevate every aspect of our customers’ lives.”

Tiong adds, “We’ve also taken Trove to the next level with the creation of Trove Haven – a space where the luxury brands we represent are used in spa services. We have plans to expand this concept, but it’s all about creating a holistic wellness experience.”