ANISA HASSAN

CEO & Founder, Date High Flyers International | Joompa 

(In her 40's)

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Her story (as shared by her nominator)

When Anisa’s previous company 'It’s Just Lunch Asia', ended their franchise in Singapore a few years ago, she was forced back to square one. A former woman entrepreneur of the year, Anisa saw herself starting from scratch with 'Dating High Flyers International'. She went around looking for CTOs and learning the latest trends in technology. She went on to create the Muslim Dating App, Joompa, which became a hit in Malaysia.

 

Anisa was formerly a newscaster and producer with Channel NewsAsia. Over the years, she developed an inquisitive mind and a personable aura, having spent more than 8 years in the media industry. She is frequently invited to deliver presentations and keynote speeches on topics that are close to her heart - entrepreneurship, women in leadership and the right mindset for success. Anisa is also an internationally certified business and relationship coach with The John Maxwell Group and was one of its founding members in 2012.

 

Kak Anisa, as Anisa is affectionately called, is a symbol of optimism and perseverance. Nothing stops her and she just keeps going despite the odds. Even when she is busy, she always finds the time to listen to aspiring entrepreneurs and share her business wisdom.

 

In her own words:

Greatest achievement

I don't think many people can say that they've been responsible for more than 1000 marriages in Asia. These last 17 years, I have paired many singles who once thought that marriage was just someone else's dreams and not theirs to experience. I feel fulfilled when I got to pair singles who are well over the ages of 40, 50 and 60 - helping them to overcome the stigma that "they are passed their shelf-lives". I have also been responsible for hundreds of remarriages, helping singles find love again after a divorce or death. I feel that matchmaking is my calling and  I'm most successful when I'm helping others find their love partners.

 

Biggest challenge thus far

When I started my business in 2004 and had to leave for the US to undergo training, I had to leave my (then) 1-month-old baby whom I was still breast-feeding to pursue my dream. When I touched down in the US, I cried - firstly because I felt guilty leaving my newborn behind and secondly, I was shedding tears of joy because I knew I was on the road to making my dreams come true. Post-partum depression was real but because I stayed focus on the goal I wanted to achieve, I managed to keep my head down, grind it out and build on the momentum. 

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