Grace Clapham – Vision Chaser | Dot Connector | Interculturalist

Published by StraitsCanopy on

Grace Clapham is the Change Entrepreneur behind the Change School, Secret {W} Business, Creative Mornings Singapore and SheSays Singapore. Creating communities that empower women and thought processes that connect dots, she is truly inspiring. A winner of the Inspiration Leadershop Awards by Talent Unleashed, judged by none other than Sir Richard Brandson and Steve Wozniak, was a defining moment and one to be acknowledged. Grace has connected dots and has a deep desire to help people unfold their own story. Here is what she tells us.

What drives you to do what you do each day?

I’d say there are a few things (I can’t narrow things down easily as I always say not one thing can feed my human needs!)
So what are they:

  • Growing up with a father who was a larger than life individual is a really big part of what drives me to do what I do each day.  His drive to help others was contagious and has definitely been passed on to me.
  • The other side of what drives me is simply seeing so many amazing individuals who are stuck or who have difficulty in finding their true self and fulfilment in what they want rather than what society thinks should be!  Each time I see a person start having signs of clarity in who they are, what they want to experiment or do it encourages me to do more of what I do.
  • Another would be my upbringing  and personal experiences of being a mixed kid and what some call a Third Culture Kid.

The most inspiring person you have known or the person you look up to the most?

I’ve always thought about this and I truly can’t say there is one person that I look up to the most (perhaps my father) but I find that there are characteristics in so many people that I appreciate and would like to embrace at different times.

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What one thing has helped you along your journey that you couldn’t live without?

Meditation and my affirmations – I do daily affirmations and this has kept me sane.

Best advice ever received?

Everyone is quick to give advice. Don’t take anyone’s advice as seriously as they give it, decipher what works for you and take it and run with it – this is completely what I believe in and grateful for this everyday.

What support systems have helped you to get to where you are today?

My peer council which has consisted of some really good folks that know me, believe in me and challenge me.  People that I’ve met from our network Secret {W} Business or CreativeMornings Singapore.  In addition my husband has been pretty special (cheesy and he’ll hate it but it’s true!)

What does the Modern Nyonya look like in your eyes?

The Modern Nyonya is a global citizen, dreamchaser, storyteller and cultural builder who is  purpose orientated and soulful with a strong sense of fearlessness, resilience and compassion.

If you had the opportunity to get a big message across to a large group of people, what would it be?

We strongly believe we are in a significant moment of shift (for people but also systems in this world) and together we need to create exponential change for the future, however we need to build better understanding of ourselves and each other to learn, unlearn  and relearn in order for us to move forward.  Through The Change School we envision a world where people have clarity of themselves, connection to the world around them and competences to navigate and cataylse change as global citizens.  So our message to everyone would be, start finding your life’s compass, align your values and life choices (or business choices) to find more fulfilment – what are you waiting for?GraceClaphamModernNyonya