Ong Bee Yan has a thriving post-retirement career as an in-demand fashion model while running a hip cold brew coffee business – she’s an unconventional breath of fresh air inspiring women with her versatility.
Singapore resident Ong Bee Yan could never in her wildest dreams have ever imagined she would become model. But in 2019, when a young Singaporean designer picked her out to be part of a brand campaign, she Ong decided to shed all her shyness and take the plungebite the bullet. Since then, there has een no looking back
“I am camera shy but I thought to myself, if a stranger has so much faith in me, why should I doubt myself,” said Ong, 65.
With her eye-catching silver hair and an aura of unflappable cool, the photo shoot with Graye Studio caught the attention of others in the fashion industry.
Soon, modelling offers began to pour in in and she has participated in shoots for brands, including UOB and IT Cosmetics.
She has also been featured in publications including Her World, Today Online, Mothership and even the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.
“I decided to face my fears, get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I told myself to embrace my age instead of letting it restrict or define me.”
In late 2016, the former graphic designer decided to launch a cold brew coffee business, 1degreeC, with her husband Richard Koh after he was retrenched. .
“Cold brew coffee is a millennial drink so the question was, how do we reach these people?” she said. The answer – social media.
“I decided to face my fears, get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I told myself to embrace my age instead of letting it restrict or define me.”
At that time, as she did not know much about Instagram, she worked with her son’s friend to boost the brand’s social media presence.
Ong also has her own Instagram account @grey evolution, where she shares snippets of her life such as family meals and outings with her grandchildren, as well as behind-the-scenes snaps of what goes on at photo shoots. It is one way she advocates for an engaged and active retirement lifestyle.
“I hope to encourage seniors to get out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves and prove that old dogs can learn new tricks,” she said.
She motivated by her own experience of caring for her mother, who had dementia. “It was a privilege but it was also painful. I could see that her memory was fading and she eventually could not remember me. I do not want my spouse or children to go through that,” she said, noting that since she launched 1degreeC, she has noticed that her memory has improved.
Besides staying mentally active by taking on an array of different activities and challenges, Ong is equally conscious about staying physically fit. She makes it a point to do strength and weight training twice a week (see her do a four-minute plank on Instagram that would put many younger women to shame).
ADditionally, she is currently working on making foot scrubs from 1degreeC’s used coffee grounds and is hoping to involve special needs young adults or their parents in this process.
As an animal lover and owner of four stray cats, she gives back to the community by buying kibble for animal feeders who care for stray animals, to help ease their financial burden. She also supports animal charities such as Hope Dog Rescue, Cat Welfare Society or Animals Asia, donating half her modelling fees to these causes.
Contributing to her pets cause inspires her to keep going with her modelling gigs.
“I ‘zone out’ and I am a completely different person because if it had been me, I would probably have been as stiff as a robot,” she said with a laugh. “But I always say a prayer before I start and I tell myself to do my best because I have already accepted the assignment and I cannot let these people down.”
In the future, Ong says she hopes to share some of her knowledge by conducting workshops on skincare, makeup and styling for seniors.
“If you look good outside, you will feel good inside,” she said. “I would also like to conduct skills workshops like soap making. These are relevant in the market as young people are buying such products, so it could help people make a living out of it.”
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