Meet Nur Aishah, whose story is one of unwavering resilience. With nearly 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry across the Philippines and Singapore, she built her foundation in one of the toughest and fastest-moving sectors. Her journey, however, wasn’t just about career success. It was about survival, motherhood, and the courage to start over.

Today, Nur Aishah is a licensed financial adviser, empowering others through financial literacy and emotional strength. From walking away from toxic relationships to passing her MAS exams while navigating legal battles, she proves that strength lies not in having it all together, but in choosing to rise, one decision at a time.

You spent almost 25 years building a career in the food and beverage industry, both in the Philippines and Singapore. What did this industry mean to you, and how did it shape your identity during those early years?

The food and beverage industry was my first training ground. It shaped not only my work ethic but also my character. It moulded me to have discipline, resilience, and the ability to work with people from all walks of life.

Over the years, I grew from someone who simply needed a part-time job to help pay school fees into someone who could lead, manage, and mentor others. It became a big part of my identity because it showed me that I could adapt, survive, and excel even in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.

You have shared that your journey in Singapore was not easy — becoming a young mother, supporting your family, and facing difficult personal circumstances. How did you find the courage to keep going through those challenges?

My courage came from responsibility and love. Becoming a mother at the age of 25 forced me to grow quickly. I held on to the belief that if I kept moving forward, one step at a time, my children, especially my daughter, would have a better life.

I also reminded myself that challenges didn’t define me. What defined me was the decision to keep standing back up and doing what I could with the resources I had.

Many women struggle in silence when facing unhealthy or harmful relationships. What was the turning point that made you decide to prioritise your safety and your daughter’s future?

The turning point was realising that staying in a harmful and toxic environment would affect not just me, but my daughter’s emotional and future wellbeing. I wanted her to grow up seeing strength, not fear.

Choosing safety wasn’t easy, but I knew that protecting her and giving her a stable life had to come first. That clarity became my compass.

Most importantly, women should believe they are capable and deserving of financial security because that mindset is the foundation for everything else.

What do you hope your daughter will one day understand about your strength, your sacrifices, and the choices you made?

I hope she understands that everything I did was to give her a safer and brighter future. I want her to see that strength doesn’t mean having a perfect life. It means choosing what is right even when it’s difficult.

If she grows up knowing her worth, setting healthy boundaries, and believing in her own potential, then every sacrifice was worth it.

Even while going through legal and emotional challenges, you studied for and passed your MAS licensing exams. What pushed you to pursue financial advisory at that point in your life?

I chose financial advisory because of its time flexibility and because I wanted a career that could empower others the way I wished someone had empowered me earlier. At that moment, I needed a fresh start, something that offered both purpose and long-term stability.

Passing the exams was a reminder that even in difficult times, growth and navigating your future is still possible.

Financial independence is often a key step in helping women rebuild their lives. From your perspective, what are the most important financial skills or mindsets women need to learn early?

Women need three key things: confidence in managing their own money, even if they start small; a savings and protection mindset, understanding that emergencies and setbacks can happen; and long-term planning, because independence comes from decisions that build stability over time.

Most importantly, women should believe they are capable and deserving of financial security because that mindset is the foundation for everything else.

What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?

I hope to see Singapore not only as a country but as a place that continues to support inclusivity, financial literacy, and opportunities for working women and single parents. A society where people feel empowered to build security for themselves, regardless of their background, will always be stronger and more resilient.

If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?

If I could have a superpower, I would choose the ability to heal emotional pain. Many people smile in front of you but carry silent burdens, and if I could lighten even a portion of that for those around me, even just for one day, it would make a huge difference in their lives.

Connect with Nur Aishah: Facebook.