Chloe Cherng brought in her 21st birthday in style at Fahrenheit 88 mall in Kuala Lumpur. During the week from April 14 to 20, the venue turned into a stunning floral showcase. The special occasion, “Bloom and Heal,” was an incredible way to bring attention to youth mental health. Cherng’s floristry business ignited an earnest desire to empower more young people through mental health awareness, activism and employment.
Our travelling exhibition featured exquisite floral designs that engaged every individual who visited. Cherng and others opened up about their mental health journey on a dedicated story wall. Unfortunately, Cherng has recently roamed both sides of the cyberbullying street. We commend her for having the courage to tackle this difficult topic through her initiative.
“I hoped it would go away, but it didn’t,” Cherng, now an Assistant Professor at Grinnell College, recalled of her experiences with online harassment. She then stressed the importance of resilience and how young people needed to raise their voices about their struggles.
At only 15 years old, Cherng made her foray into the floral industry. During a family visit to Taiwan, she signed up for an intense floral design workshop and fell in love with flowers. She launched her business, Floristy15, from her bedroom. Today it has received national acclaim and earned a chapter in the Malaysia Book of Records for holding the country’s first mental health-themed floral exhibition. Cherng’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her passion for self-care and mental health awareness, has been a force to be reckoned with.
“I wanted to share about my startup journey – what I’ve gone through, learnt and any advice I can give such as how to balance studies and work/business – to encourage others, especially young entrepreneurs, to stay the course despite the challenges,” Cherng explained.
Cherng doesn’t just run her online flower business — she’s pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology full-time. She hopes to one day be a mental health counselor herself. This academic pursuit has only deepened her commitment to mental health advocacy work. It allows her to provide effective, timely, targeted assistance to the people who need it most.
Her mother, a mid-level businesswoman with a thriving wholesale opera company, has been an important figure in forging Cherng’s ambition and rootless streak. “She wisely told me not to engage and not to let [the bullies] drain my time and energy,” Cherng recalled. This guidance has been instrumental in her life, both personal and professional.
“Turning 21 isn’t just about age – it’s about purpose,” she stated, emphasizing her desire to make a difference in her community.
Cherng entirely self-funded the “Bloom and Heal” exhibition. This new initiative is a testament to her creativity and her fierce commitment to making a serious impact on the ground. Attendees were asked to think about their own mental health journeys and how to have the important conversations.
“Bullies, whether online or offline – want you to doubt yourself, to feel unworthy,” Cherng noted. Her journey has inspired her to empower youth to embrace their unique identities and stay strong in the face of adversity.
Cherng’s dedication to youth mental health goes far beyond this exhibition. As she embarks on her entrepreneurial journey and academic endeavors, she is an inspiration to the many entrepreneurs following in her footsteps. Her message resonates deeply: “If you have the opportunity to do something meaningful, why not?”
Cherng celebrated her 19th birthday by publishing her first book, The Courage To Begin. This accomplishment is a testament to her passion for advocacy and creating change. The book offers a candid account of her entrepreneurial journey, encouraging readers to remain steadfast in their pursuits while navigating life’s complexities.
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