The Business of Guiltless Fashion — Yen Kuok, Founder of Guiltless

Sometimes the most meaningful and inspiring conversations happen over casual meals. The Time Auction Blog is a snippet of our meetings with people who have found passion in their life and career, where we get a glimpse into their mentality and attitude behind their ventures and stories.

Through her early days of schooling at DGS, her journey to Stanford, and her hustles in investment banking, Yen Kuok never accepted anything less than the best. That’s why when Yen needed to sell some of her old clothes and couldn’t find a secondhand luxury website that operated in Asia, she saw an opportunity to turn this need into a full-fledged business. So she created Guiltless, Asia’s premier luxury consignment website, which offers up to 80% off preloved and brand new designer goods — providing a marketplace for luxury enthusiasts who simply can’t turn down a good deal.

Over dinner, Yen shared with us invaluable tips, from the must-haves in every girl’s wardrobe to choosing a corporate route or going big on your passions.

What is your life philosophy?

“Go big or go home.

You could also think of it as ‘Work hard, play hard.’

Basically, unless you’re ready to do something to the best of your ability and put everything you have into it, don’t do it. Half effort will never work.”

Do you have any advice for people in their 20s?

“In your 20s, when you are still young and have the time to fail and pick yourself back up again, give your dreams a shot.

Go for the safe path first, but after a few years in your stable, corporate life, you’ll know whether you can do that for the rest of your life. If you feel like something is missing or there’s an itch you need to scratch, grab it by the horns and go for it.

Don’t live with regrets, thinking of the what-ifs.”

What is something people can do to impress you?

“I’m actually very hard to impress. I hold myself to high standards, so it’s difficult for someone to impress me because I’ll think ‘Yeah, I did that too.’

One thing that makes me do a double take is when someone is kind to those they know they can’t get anything from.

How you interact with those people really shows your true colours.”

What do you want to be the key takeaway from today?

“Whatever you do, live your life as if your 80-year-old self were looking back and watching your every move.

If you have even an ounce of energy left, remind yourself that your 80-year-old self would definitely grab that opportunity and make the most of it.”

Thank you Yen for donating dinner and raising 95 volunteer hours to Island ECC, Po Leung Kuk, Red Cross, Christian Action, IMC Sunday School and more!

Visit Time Auction for more opportunities to volunteer and become connected with inspiring people.