Twenty-seven outstanding YOMO women entrepreneurs were honoured at the YOMO 1st Women Entrepreneurs Innovation Achievement Awards, organized by the Advanced Aesthetic Asia Academy.
The awards recognize the entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and breakthroughs in the beauty and anti-aging industry and promote the advancements of needle-free aesthetic technologies.
The winners were announced at the awards presentation dinner held in Andaman Grand Ballroom Kuala Lumpur on May 17, 2025.
Among the recipients were not only seasoned businesswomen, but also rising stars and individuals who had successfully made career transitions into the field.
Themed “Shadows in Bloom”, the event was attended by over 250 guests, including Advanced Aesthetic Asia Academy co-founders Dr Chin Kim Yoon and Dr Angela Chung; and Malaysian Chinese Artists Association president Freddie Wong.
The event’s guest of honour was Puspanita Motac branch chairman Datin Yuzaira Yusoff who was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances and was represented by Datin Christina Toh Lai Fong, a member of the Board of the Tourism Malaysia.
In her speech, Datin Christina emphasized that the inaugural awards ceremony theme “Shadows in Bloom” carries profound meaning that symbolizes the perseverance and dedication of career women, reflecting the transformation and eventual success achieved through challenges and innovation.
“The awards are not only a mark of honour, but a testament to the awakening and rise of women’s power in the industry,” she said.
According to Christina, the data from the 2023 Economic Census released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia noted that as of 2022 there were 219,015 women-owned businesses, making up 20.1% of all enterprises in the country.
Over 90% of these businesses were in the service sector, with the rest in manufacturing and construction.
Most encouragingly, the number of women-led businesses grew steadily between 2015 and 2022 at an average annual rate of 2.3%, showing their growing economic influence.
“Moreover,” she added, “these businesses generated a total output value of RM136.9 billion, contributing 3.6% to the national economy. The services sector was the largest contributor, accounting for RM83 billion, with wholesale and retail trade making up a significant 37.7% of this value.”
She emphasized that behind these numbers and achievements lies not just policy support, but also the relentless drive and innovation of women, including YOMO’s entrepreneurs.
“These women have balanced family and career, forged new paths between tradition and modernity, and stood out in competitive landscapes, injecting vitality and sustainable growth into their enterprises and the national economy.”
Christina also called upon YOMO’s women entrepreneurs to use their platforms, resources and networks to support the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) and Tourism Malaysia in promoting Visit Malaysia Year 2026, highlighting Malaysia’s unique multicultural heritage, cuisine, tourist attractions and cultural products to international visitors, and drive inbound tourism and spending.
Advanced Aesthetic Asia Academy co-founder Dr Chin Kim Yoon introduced the academy’s history and its pursuit of innovation and growth in his speech. He noted that since its founding in 2018 in Ipoh, the Advanced Aesthetic Asia Academy has been committed to the development and promotion of needle-free anti-aging technologies.
Together with co-founder Dr. Angela Chung Hoong Lai, they have built a strong team of professional trainers and technical experts, launched internationally accredited programs and developed a Digital E-Learning Portal to help students improve their skills and grow their careers, driving growth in the aesthetic anti-aging industry.
“To date, the academy has trained over 2,000 international students and successfully supported 800 local women entrepreneurs, including single mothers, in achieving breakthroughs in both business and life, making a far-reaching impact on society,” said Dr Chin.
He added, “Through this journey, YOMO women have not only excelled in entrepreneurship and business sustainability, but also driven innovations in beauty safety and standards.
“Together, we have cultivated a distinctive YOMO entrepreneurial culture and spirit in Malaysia. It is this very form of soft power that gives us continuous momentum and lasting influence, contributing to the steady growth of Malaysia’s needle-free anti-aging industry.”
Established in 2018, the Advanced Aesthetic Asia Academy offers comprehensive practical and theoretical training in needle-free, anti-aging treatments, certified by ISO9001 and ISO21001 standards. It covers essential and advanced techniques, providing hands-on experience, business support and exclusive access to YOMO, AMUSHI and LA’PERLE range of products, empowering professionals to excel in the beauty industry.
The following are the winners of the 2025 YOMO 1st Women Entrepreneurs Innovation Achievement Awards:
- Elite Entrepreneurial Leadership Award:
– Michelle Chan Mei Har, 陈米笑
– Irene Gan Pay Jia, 颜贝珈 - Mastery in Needle-Free Eye Bag Erasure Excellence Award: Evelyn Chen Harn Lung, 郑韩蓉
- Prestige Age-Defying Excellence Award:
– Ginger Chok Shuk Lea, 卓淑丽
– Jinni Kok Ya Jing, 霍雅君
– Karen Lim Ai Peng, 林艾频
– Samantha Lim Lay Chian, 林利倩
– Vivian Lee Sek Fong, 李雪芳
– Wong Soon Chin, 黄舜芩 - Needle-Free Eye Zone Rejuvenation Excellence Award:
– Looney Chiew Lune Lee, 周伦伊
– Tiffany Kam Seok Yan, 甘淑欣 - Needle-Free Advanced Nasal Refinement Award: Chong Ze Kee, 张子琦
- Supreme Facial Lifting Mastery Award:
– Jess Choong Sook Wei, 钟淑慧
– Tracey Khoo Sit Ming, 古雪敏 - Supreme Needle-Free Mastery Award:
– Jess Choong Sook Wei, 钟淑慧
– Looney Chiew Lune Lee, 周伦伊
– Vivian Lee Sek Fong, 李雪芳 - Needle-Free Anti-Aging Industry Impact Award:
– Ginger Chok Shuk Lea, 卓淑丽
– Tiffany Kam Seok Yan, 甘淑欣 - Icon of Career Reinvention Excellence Award: Esther Leyu Siah Ying, 刘宣妘
- Needle-Free Excellence in AMUSHI Skin Management Award: Vinky Chin Hsiieh Fang, 陈雪芳
- Industry Transition Trailblazer Excellence Award:
– Amika Neoh Tze Cheen, 梁芷君
– Chris Khor Cui Syan, 许翠姗
– Ling Siaw Yen, 林晓艳
– Stephanie Tan Men Nee, 陈孟妮
– Tracey Khoo Sit Ming, 古雪敏 - Rising Star in Anti-Aging Entrepreneurship Excellence Award:
– Ariel Wong Ting Mong, 黄亭梦
– Christine Yap Looi Khim, 叶蕊琴
– Ehuan Wong Yi Huan, 黄依环
– Eireen Loo Yuen Ching, 卢运清
– Maggie Ong Bee Kih, 王美琪
– Yap Yuen Yuen, 叶圆圆
– Shervynn Lim Sher Ling, 林诗容
