[Profile] Cheryl Tan & Sarah Chen: Building The Sisterhood Economy In Southeast Asia

The Profile Snapshot

In the bustling landscape of Malaysian entrepreneurship, Cheryl Tan and Sarah Chen have carved out a distinct niche not just as business partners, but as architects of a new kind of community. They are the co-founders of a rapidly growing membership platform that has tapped into the aspirations of a generation.

• 👩‍💼 Name: Cheryl Tan & Sarah Chen
• 🏷️ Role: Co-Founders, The Modern Collective
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Community Architects & Niche Market Pioneers

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Tan and Chen are making headlines for a simple, yet powerful, metric: hundreds of women are willingly paying S$300 (approximately RM1,050) annually to be part of their community, The Modern Collective. In a region where digital content is often expected to be free, this robust subscription model signals a seismic shift. It proves there is substantial, untapped value in curated connection, exclusive content, and a sense of belonging for the ambitious, "modern woman" in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia. Their success challenges conventional wisdom about monetising online communities and highlights the commercial power of targeted sisterhood.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Speaking from their shared workspace, the duo's synergy is palpable. Cheryl, with a background in digital marketing, reflects on the journey with analytical precision. "We didn't set out to build just another networking group," she begins, gesturing to illustrate her point. "We identified a gap—a profound need for a space where professional growth, personal development, and authentic support weren't mutually exclusive." She emphasizes that their community is a deliberate antidote to the often superficial and transactional nature of traditional business networking.

Sarah, whose experience leans into brand strategy, leans forward, her conviction clear. "The S$300 isn't just a fee; it's a filter and a commitment. It ensures every member is genuinely invested in both giving and receiving value." She candidly admits that initial scepticism was their biggest hurdle, but they viewed it as validation of the market gap. Their vision extends beyond Malaysia; they see The Modern Collective as a blueprint for a pan-Asian movement, redefining how women connect and elevate each other in the digital age. When discussing their members' success stories, both founders' faces light up with a pride that transcends mere revenue figures.

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Successfully launched and scaled The Modern Collective from a local idea to a regional membership community with paying members across several Southeast Asian countries.
• Pioneered a sustainable subscription-based revenue model in the Malaysian lifestyle-community space, achieving high retention rates that defy industry norms.
• Curated and hosted exclusive, high-value events and mastermind sessions featuring top-tier industry leaders, solidifying the community's premium positioning.
• Built a powerful brand synonymous with quality, trust, and empowerment, attracting corporate partnerships and sponsorship deals.
• Featured in regional media as thought leaders on community-building, women in business, and the future of niche digital economies.

The Editor's Take

Cheryl Tan and Sarah Chen represent a new breed of Malaysian entrepreneurs: the Community-Centric Founders. They have masterfully identified an emotional and professional need and built a scalable business around it. Their leadership is less about top-down authority and more about facilitation and curation—creating the environment where others can thrive. Their model demonstrates deep market insight and exceptional execution in a space many considered oversaturated but fundamentally misunderstood.

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 9/10
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 8/10
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 7/10

"The most valuable networks aren't built on contacts, but on genuine connection and shared growth. We're not just building a community; we're investing in a collective legacy."