Simone Heng is a multi-talented person with a multi-cultural background. The Virgin Radio Dubai presenter juggles between her international media career and managing Dubai’s premiere DIY fashion and lifestyle blog.
Introduce yourself.
My name is Simone Heng and I am a 29 year old Singapore-born Australian raised broadcaster based in Dubai for the last five years. I have been an international TV and Radio presenter since I was 21 having worked for brands like Channel V International, HBO Asia, CNN and now Virgin Radio Dubai. I also had a TV show across the Middle East for two years on Dubai One. I am currently the brand endorser for hair for Dove Middle East. Last year I ventured out to create my own brand, investing in my love of crafting I created Cheapnchic.net, Dubai’s premiere Do-It-Yourself fashion and lifestyle blog. I have a lot of things planned for the site coming up.
What inspired you to be the person you are today?
My father’s passing in 2004 was the catalyst for my career. I left Australia a year later for my first media job. I was struck by how fragile and short life is, if you want to do what you love you need to make it happen. My father’s character also inspired me, although my mother was very focused on pushing my sister and I to succeed (that is a huge part of my success) my father was the most humble man you would ever meet and I try to retain that humility and integrity, a hard thing to do in my line of work with huge egos everywhere.
The formula to sucess is…
I think it changes but I absolutely live by the motto “Discipline is a direct route to success.” If you have discipline, you work hard, you are accountable and organised you really can have anything you want.
Share with us the best piece of advice ever given to you.
My father: “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice” and my previous boss at Virgin, Steve, said to me recently “You will always be successful, it’s in your genes” that sort of confidence in me was the best advice because I do doubt myself a lot.
What motivates you?
I love what I do, I was never motivated by money going into this line of work. I am excited about creating things which inspire others, that motivates me.
Tell us a common misconception that people have about what you do.
That because I look like ‘Hello Kitty’ that I am that way as a person, I am actually quite a cut and dry business woman and I don’t tolerate disorganisation, tardiness or people who cancel appointments.
Mistakes are…
Mistakes are there to challenge you and make you better.
Three random things about yourself…
I am only 5″1 tall, I was a very ugly duckling growing up and I love to run.
You’ll know you’ve made it when…
I thought it was appearing on a global network like CNN, but that’s just happened and will be coming out on October 9th. I think if I can build a successful business on my own which doesn’t require me to be employed by other brands. I want complete financial freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
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