When You're Lost, Pursue Yourself | Khairani Ashry | TEDxAnggerek Desa Youth

Struggling Academically While Enjoying Life00:00:15

Khairani reflects on her high school years, where despite being in a prestigious school, she wasn't an A-grade student. She compensated for academic struggles by engaging in extracurricular activities like singing and performing, enjoying life, but feeling uncertain about her future career path.

The Pressure of Academic Expectations00:02:24

Unlike her peers who had clear career goals, Khairani felt lost, especially during her O-levels. She considered transferring schools but was convinced by her parents and teachers to continue her A-levels, driven by the perceived prestige of her school. This period intensified her internal questioning about her true desires and goals.

Discovering an Entrepreneurial Spark00:04:43

During her O-levels, Khairani started a small business selling excess clothes, which she enjoyed and managed alongside her studies. This venture provided her with a sense of fulfillment and logistics experience, leading her to register it as an official business on her 18th birthday.

Pivoting and Building a Personal Shopping Business00:06:59

Realizing the limitations of a thrift business in Brunei, Khairani pivoted. An unexpected request from a customer during a family trip sparked the idea for a personal shopping business. This new venture, driven by demand and positive feedback, allowed her to unleash her 'inner fire' and brought her immense joy and fulfillment.

Building Community and Bridging Gaps00:09:00

As her personal shopping business grew, Khairani focused on building a community, aiming to provide value beyond just transactions. She uses her platform to share insights and learnings from various events, striving to bridge the gap between potential and privilege for her nearly 10,000 members.

Choosing Your 'Hard' and Finding Alignment00:10:39

Khairani addresses the societal pressure against entrepreneurship in Brunei, where stable government jobs are often favored. Despite her parents' concerns, she chose to listen to her inner voice, emphasizing that life is about choosing 'your hard.' She found that pursuing her business, though challenging, aligned with her values and brought her joy, leading to self-discovery and fulfillment.

Recreating Yourself and Finding Your Path00:13:37

Khairani concludes by sharing a quote from Robert Greene about recreating oneself and mastering one's own image. She encourages the audience, if feeling lost, to pause, look inwards, and ask if what they are doing brings them joy and aligns with who they are, assuring them that they will eventually find their answer.