Enya Lim is not your typical entrepreneur.
She was 51 years old and a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry.
But a twist of fate, a little frustration, and a lot of essential oils led her down an entirely different path: phytoE, an aromatherapy brand focused on emotional and skin health.
A calculated leap
A turning point for Enya came when COVID-19 travel restrictions were imposed.
Working from home made Enya question the stability of a corporate career. “What if I lose my job?” she wondered. “What next?”
This uncertainty has led to calls for backup plans that go beyond traditional notions of retirement.
Another factor was Enya’s allergies to many Western medicines, which led her to turn to natural remedies, and essential oils emerged as an appealing option.
“The above reasons motivated me and I was looking for an open-ended retirement plan and an alternative to Western medicine.”
“So the best way to do that was to learn a new skill and since it’s something I’m passionate about, aromatherapy was the obvious answer,” she told The Balkan Post.
Leaving a stable career might seem like a gamble to some, but Enya was used to taking calculated risks.
Her background in finance gave her a strong business foundation, especially in planning, problem-solving and customer-centric strategies, but wanting to get off to a good start, she went back to school in 2021 to earn her Professional Diploma in Aromatherapy.
It made her even more convinced that this was the right future path for her.
“For anyone, quitting a steady paying job is crazy, but I just wasn’t passionate enough to stop there,” the licensed clinical aromatherapist said.
The power of persistence
Returning to school brought its own set of challenges.
“Will my memory fail during the exam?” Enya worried, but her determination remained unwavering.
She adopted a step-by-step approach and transformed a busy schedule full of assignments and case studies into an opportunity for learning.
“Age isn’t the issue, it’s whether you use it as an excuse,” Enya said.
The rewards were immeasurable: Enya gained a deeper understanding of aromatherapy as a holistic therapeutic practice, not just essential oils.
“Discipline is very important when studying part-time. Creating a proper schedule helps you balance work and studies,” she said.
Her dream was to become a professional aromatherapist and inspire other women to pursue their passion, proving that a career change is possible at any stage in life.
From formulation to functionality
Enya’s knowledge of essential oils, human anatomy, treatments and blends became the foundation of the phytoE product line.
Each product is meticulously crafted with a specific health goal in mind.
To further solidify her brand foundation, Enya obtained prescription certification, allowing her to handcraft her natural remedies.
phytoE’s mission is to make the therapeutic benefits of essential oils accessible to everyone.
Enya started with personal care products made with essential oils and botanical ingredients, including shower gels, hand creams and hand sanitizers.
Feedback from friends and the exposure she got through booth events fueled her passion.
Learn from scratch
The transition from a corporate team to working solo was a steep learning curve.
Enya had to juggle everything at once, from creating products and photography to managing social media, marketing, finances and administration.
It was a stark contrast to the support network she enjoyed in her previous job.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge, she took advantage of the vast resources available online, proving that anyone can learn if they have the passion.
“From this I realised that if I want to learn, there are a lot of masters out there,” she said.
Enya’s message boils down to being clear about your goals and doing a thorough risk assessment, especially financially. When the numbers are right, age doesn’t matter.
She encourages everyone to consider an “active retirement plan” that goes beyond traditional notions of rest and relaxation. Keeping a clear head and exploring new passions is key.
The Road Ahead
Three years on, phytoE is blossoming. Enya envisions it as a value-driven brand with a focus on healing.
She is motivated by the positive feedback she receives from her clients regarding improved health and skin condition.
Collaborations with other wellness partners are also planned, with Enya looking to work with hospitals and wellness centers in the future.
Enya Lim’s story is a monument to the power of passion and calculated risk — a reminder that life’s most fulfilling journeys can begin at any stage, and that sometimes the biggest changes come from replacing spreadsheets with essential oils.
- Find out more about this business here.
- Read our other articles on Malaysian startups here
Featured image credit: phytoE
