Meet Elfin, an inspiring entrepreneur and founder of a unique art studio that celebrates creativity and inclusivity. Driven by her passion for art and her belief in its transformative power, Elfin created a space where children of all abilities can express themselves freely.
Her studio places a special focus on children with special needs, offering tailored art lessons that nurture their creativity, boost their confidence, and promote personal growth. Through her dedication and vision, Elfin has built not just a business but a supportive community where every child’s potential is celebrated and encouraged.
What inspired you to start stART Studio, and how did your passion for art and children’s development come together?
I started stART Studio because I have a background in working with children for over 20 years. Interestingly, I didn’t initially plan for it to be an art studio. It came about coincidentally but beautifully, bringing together my strengths and passions. I now call it my “ikigai.” I use art as a tool to help children grow in confidence and resilience.
How does therapeutic art contribute to building confidence and resilience in children?
I use art as a therapeutic tool and approach it in a practical, counselling-based way to help children build confidence and resilience. For example, I once worked with a girl during a painting session, and while painting, she began sharing things that were troubling her. I encouraged her to add more white to the painting to make the picture more distinct.
Through this process, we discussed her challenges, and the art became a metaphor for things she needed to work on in her life. For this girl, it was about building her confidence and learning not to worry about how others perceived her.
She realised she didn’t have to be friends with everyone but could choose the right friends for herself. The painting and conversation helped her reflect on these issues and work through them. This is how art becomes a powerful tool for helping children grow.
Can you share a memorable success story where a child’s growth at stART Studio made a lasting impact on you?
I’ve had many success stories, but one that stands out is about a boy with ADHD and autism. He faced significant challenges in school, including frequent suspensions, and his parents were at a loss after trying numerous interventions that didn’t work.
When I started working with him, I didn’t do anything drastically different from other interventions—teaching self-control and self-management skills. However, what set it apart was the empowerment and connection I established with him. I was able to draw him out, communicate effectively, and help him understand himself.
Within a month of weekly sessions, he showed significant progress. When he returned to school, he no longer faced behavioral issues. Instead, he received praise from his teachers, parents, and even me. By the end of the year, he achieved so much progress that he was awarded a good progress award by his school.
To think that a child who struggled so much could make such remarkable improvements in just one year—and have his efforts recognised by the school—was an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him and made a lasting impact.
What role does growth mindset play in your programs and how do you teach this concept to children?
For growth mindset, I draw inspiration from my time as a principal at MindChamps PreSchool, where Mr. David Chiem, the CEO, emphasised the importance of fostering a growth mindset in children. This concept became deeply ingrained in me, and it naturally forms a key part of my programs.
I help children understand that whatever situation they are in now is not final. There are always ways to learn, improve, and grow. For example, I worked with a girl who had difficulty listening to adults. She often got into trouble at home and in school because she was very opinionated and perceived adult advice as nagging.
It took me several months to build trust and rapport with her, to show her that I genuinely cared and had her best interests at heart. I guided her to see that listening to others doesn’t diminish her value. She learned that considering others’ perspectives is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to grow and learn. This mindset shift improved her relationships with her parents, grandparents, and teachers.
I believe it’s better to build a strong child now than to repair a broken adult later. This philosophy drives my mission. Many children come to me with low confidence or negative self-talk.
How do you incorporate practical counselling into your sessions to address children’s emotional needs?
In practical counselling, I focus on helping children process their emotions and experiences. For instance, I worked with a boy who had gone through significant family challenges and childhood trauma. He struggled with extreme anger issues. I taught him to recognise and process his pain and anger.
I showed him the potential consequences of not addressing his anger, emphasising that unresolved anger could harm others or lead to severe consequences like jail. Through counselling, I gave him tools for self-control, taught him the value of forgiveness, and provided a vision for a better future.
I also work closely with parents to build a supportive environment for the child. By helping parents understand their child’s feelings and struggles, I act as a bridge between them. This partnership ensures that both the child and parents work together towards positive change.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced as an entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them?
Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey. Being a solo entrepreneur means I’m responsible for everything—funding, resources, planning, and execution. The challenges can feel overwhelming, but the joy of knowing why I’m doing this keeps me going.
Over the years, I’ve channeled my experience as an educator, mentor, and artist into stART Studio. This venture combines my strengths—working with children, engaging with parents, and fostering creativity.
While discouragement arises from setbacks or negative feedback, I focus on success stories that remind me of the positive impact I’ve made. The joy of seeing children grow, families transform, and relationships improve keeps me motivated. These moments validate my efforts and fuel my perseverance.
What are your future plans, and how do you envision expanding your programs to reach more children?
I’m a big dreamer, and I often envision how I can impact more parents, teachers, and children. I believe it’s better to build a strong child now than to repair a broken adult later. This philosophy drives my mission. Many children come to me with low confidence or negative self-talk.
My dream is to involve more parents and teachers in this mission. Adults can sometimes be critical and self-righteous, expecting children to excel while forgetting their own imperfections. This constant criticism can harm children’s self-esteem.
By working with parents and teachers, I hope to create an environment where children feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow into confident and resilient adults.
Where do you see yourself, and what’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I see myself where I continue to prioritise building children’s confidence, resilience, and self-worth. By teaching them social skills, self-control, and self-management, we can help them grow into capable and compassionate adults. It’s my dream to contribute to this vision and continue making a difference in the lives of children and their families.
Singapore’s education system has evolved significantly, and I deeply appreciate the government’s efforts to bring about meaningful changes. As a former MOE Kindergarten Centre Head , I’ve witnessed the resources and strategies implemented to support children.
While these changes take time, they are steps in the right direction. Looking ahead, I hope to see even more emphasis on children’s values, self-love, and affirmation—not just academic achievements. Children need to know they are loved and valued regardless of their grades.
Connect with Elfin: stARTStudio, Instagram and Facebook.
