Overcoming Adversities and Finding Renewed Strength
Our lives are just like ebbs and flows. In periods of flow, we can think of life as easy, and full of meaning. But when our lives ebbs, we may be struggling against the current while trying to get a grasp on what is important to us. However, it is important to remind ourselves to never give up. This is the story of Humphries Warren Sheldon, who despite the odds stacked against him, did not give up and instead found renewed strength to embark on a journey of learning and discovery.
It all began in 2016 when Sheldon, who was then a funeral director, discovered himself often falling and needing to endure an unstable gait. It was only in 2020 that he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a rare hereditary motor and sensory disorder that is characterised by progressive loss of muscle and touch sensation across various parts of the body. The condition meant Sheldon losing his grip and falling down multiple times. “I had to endure physical pain perpetually, and I lost a lot of strength and get tired easily because of the disease,” said Sheldon.
To make matters worse, when Sheldon was struck with CMT, he suffered setback on his second marriage, while having to handle mounting debt and loss of job arising from his physical condition. He was on the verge of giving in until he remembered his daughter from his first marriage. Whenever I think of my daughter, I would recall the good times we spent with each other as a father-daughter duo and witnessing her growing up. Because of that, I found strength in living my life to the fullest,” he elaborated.
Determined to overcome this lowest point in his life, he signed up for numerous training courses, including NTUC LearningHub’s Community and Partnerships Specialist course. Explaining his choice, Sheldon said, “My physical situation has given me a newfound interest in areas of inclusivity and stakeholder engagement, and the Community and Partnerships Specialist course is well-positioned to allow me acquire skills to be competent in this area.”
Throughout the course, Sheldon was able to acquire in-demand skills such as market research and data analytics, branding and digital marketing as well as communication and engagement. This allowed him to take on short-term roles where he could apply the skills he learnt. In his quest to continuously upskill, he took up NTUC LHUB’s peer-to-peer mental well-being support programme, where he further developed keen interest in the topic of inclusivity. Eventually, he assumed the role as the Singapore lead of a United States-based CMT advocacy and awareness group, and is now volunteering his time with SG Enable.
“I no longer blame others for what I am facing. Instead, I started to think that I should shoulder responsibility for things that are happening to me, and to use whatever I have learnt to good use by helping others.” Sheldon said.
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Brewing a New Chapter Through Lifelong Learning
Sheena brings more than a decade of experience in the retail and education sector, where she managed multiple retail outlets specialising in educational toys and oversaw day-to-day operations. Over time, she began to notice a shift. Customers were increasingly seeking more unique and experience-driven products, while the retail landscape itself was becoming more competitive and fast-changing. At the same time, Sheena observed a growing interest in more mindful and natural lifestyle products, which sparked her curiosity about opportunities within the Food & Beverages (F&B) space. With her experience largely rooted in traditional brick-and-mortar retail, Sheena made a deliberate decision to pursue her lifelong interest in F&B entrepreneurship. Inspired by her passion for floral and herbal infusions and her desire to create a brand of her own, she enrolled in the Flavourful Ventures: A Journey Into F&B Entrepreneurship course at NTUC LearningHub to turn her vision into a reality. Returning to the classroom was initially a challenge for Sheena, as she had not studied for a long time and found some of the learning processes unfamiliar. However, with guidance from her trainers and support from her classmates, she gradually adapted and grew more confident throughout the course. Throughout the programme, Sheena gained practical exposure to key aspects of building and managing an F&B business, including identifying business opportunities, product development, branding and bringing products into the market. The hands-on learning experience also gave her greater insight into creativity, innovation and customer engagement within the F&B industry. Beyond equipping her with practical entrepreneurial skills, the programme also broadened her perspective on what it takes to build and sustain a business in today’s competitive landscape. Sheena eventually went on to start her own tea brand, Tea Therapy Singapore, offering a distinct range of caffeine-free, unsweetened and 100% natural floral tea blooms. Through the course, she was able to turn a long-standing personal interest into something more tangible, gaining the confidence and practical knowledge needed to pursue her passion in the F&B space. The course also gave her a supportive space to experiment, learn from mistakes and grow her confidence as a first-time digital business owner. Today, she manages the business end-to-end, from sourcing raw materials to product design, branding and online sales, applying the skills and knowledge gained from the programme to shape and grow her business. Through the journey of building her brand, Sheena also came to appreciate the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability and continuously upgrading herself to stay relevant in an evolving business landscape. Looking ahead, Sheena remains committed to lifelong learning as she continues to grow both professionally and as a business owner, and plans to further develop her skills through NTUC LearningHub courses, including public speaking. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “Learning is a lifelong journey. When we continue upgrading ourselves and apply what we learn, we can turn our passion into new opportunities.”
Taking the Next Step: A Mid-Career Digital Journey
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