My name is Elaine Tang and I am the Founder and CEO of Melvory Australia. Born in Malaysia, I migrated to Australia to study and have since worked as a Pharmacist, married and become a mum to three beautiful children. Melvory began when I formulated Lavender Cocoa Butter to heal my daughter’s eczema. It is now a global brand, donating more than half a million meals to children in Kenya through the No Hungry Children charity. Melvory offers employment opportunities to a team of 13 staff and hosts a range of more than 70 natural and eco-friendly skincare and makeup products.
"Don’t let anyone hold you back from achieving your dreams. Do your research, set yourself goals and immerse yourself in a support network of friends, family and fellow entrepreneurs with whom you can share your stories and learn from. Most importantly, believe in yourself."
When did you start your business?
In 2017
What was the inspiration behind your work/business?
After struggling to find a safe and natural solution to heal my daughter’s eczema, I decided to formulate my own product and achieved amazing results. Friends and family requested I make some for their dry skin and as demand grew, I was holding stalls at local markets to share this product with the wider community. Nothing makes me happier than being able to help others and as the positive feedback from customers came flooding in, I decided to broaden my range further. Before long, Melvory became a profitable business and while I wanted to continue helping others with their skin concerns, I wanted to make a bigger impact. Childhood hunger and poverty is a cause close to my heart as I had experienced hunger as a child growing up in Malaysia. I decided to donate profits from every customer order to the No Hungry Children charity, to help reduce the incidence of hunger in poverty stricken communities.
What are you most excited about in your work/business?
I love being able to give back, and I also enjoy the challenge of product innovation. I can be creative with the work that I do and also help people achieve healthy skin and feel good about themselves by providing natural skincare solutions. I really enjoy researching and formulating products in response to customer need and market trends. Furthermore, I am looking forward to growing my partnership with the No Hungry Children Charity.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your work/business?
I have come across many challenges since starting Melvory but staying focussed on my goals and mission to make a difference in the lives of others has helped me to overcome these. Initially, as a woman of Malaysian heritage I have had to fight against the cultural expectations I was raised with to give myself permission to become a female business owner. This is not the norm for women of Asian descent. Furthermore, keeping up with ever changing technology and social media trends has been incredibly challenging but in doing so, my business has been able to use these platforms to grow and become the success it is today.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a work/business?
Don’t let anyone hold you back from achieving your dreams. Do your research, set yourself goals and immerse yourself in a support network of friends, family and fellow entrepreneurs with whom you can share your stories and learn from. Most importantly, believe in yourself.
Why did you enter the Women Changing the World Awards?
I am incredibly proud of Melvory and it is so rewarding both personally and professionally for my achievements in business to be recognised on a global scale. I also hope that my story will be a source of inspiration to other women around the world who are trying to make a difference.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
It is such an honour to share the stage with a global team of women who all strive to make a positive difference to the world in their own individual way. I choose to surround myself with like minded people and being a part of the Women Changing the World Awards is a part of that.
What surprised you most about the awards?
I was surprised by the huge number of award categories and also the diversity of entrants. These awards have highlighted just how many remarkable women all over the world are striving to make a positive difference.
How did the awards help you in your work/business?
By entering the Women Changing the World Awards, I continue to learn from and make connections with other inspiring women from all over the world. It is such a privilege to receive an award which recognises the contribution of women in business on a global scale. The award gives Melvory increased brand exposure, publicity and credibility worldwide, whilst also motivating me to keep building the business and make an even bigger impact.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about entering the awards?
Don’t hesitate! While it is incredible to achieve an award, participating in the process and having the opportunity to be exposed to other women’s achievements worldwide is an amazing experience in itself.
What has been the best thing about starting your own work/business?
From humble beginnings in my home kitchen to now selling products to customers worldwide, I have received so many testimonials from families who have tried Melvory and attained amazing results, often when all else had failed. These happy stories fill my heart with joy because I am making a difference and helping others. As a result of my growing customer base, I have been able to support those in need by donating to charity, allowing me to give back to others at a level I would never have been able to sustain without Melvory.
What’s happening next in your work/business?
There will be some exciting new products. Product research and development is ongoing and I hope to continue building Melvory so that I can continue to provide high performing, natural and sustainable skincare solutions to people of all ages, provide ongoing employment to my wonderful team of staff and also continue to contribute to the No Hungry Children charity
What are your big plans for the future?
I would love to be involved in the building of a Maternity Hospital in Kenya so that women don’t need to travel too far to have supported births. As Melvory continues to grow and profits are set aside for charity, this goal will become more attainable.
How can we connect with you?
Nominations are open now for the 2024 Women Changing The World Awards
