[Profile] Lee Hui Min & Tan Wei Ling: The Ex-SIA Crew Who Built a Haven for Their Own

The Profile Snapshot

In the high-stakes world of aviation, service is a finely honed art. Lee Hui Min and Tan Wei Ling were masters of this craft, their careers soaring with Singapore Airlines (SIA). When the pandemic grounded the global fleet, they didn't just see a crisis; they saw a community of highly skilled professionals in need of a safe harbour. From the ashes of furloughs and uncertainty, they co-founded a purpose-driven F&B venture in Malaysia, not merely as entrepreneurs, but as leaders determined to redeploy their grounded colleagues.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Lee Hui Min & Tan Wei Ling
• 🏷️ Role: Co-Founders, [F&B Business Name - to be confirmed from source]
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Empathetic Leadership & Crisis Pivoting

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Their story is making headlines not for a blockbuster funding round or aggressive expansion, but for its profound human-centric ethos. At a time when corporate layoffs dominated news cycles, Hui Min and Wei Ling acted on a powerful sense of *kawan-kawan* (camaraderie). They identified a critical gap: thousands of cabin crew, trained in impeccable service, safety protocols, and grace under pressure, were suddenly without a runway. Their venture became a headline-worthy case study in social entrepreneurship, workforce transition, and leveraging transferable skills from one high-pressure service industry to another.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Reflecting on the decision to leap, Hui Min describes it not as a bold business plan, but a moral imperative. "We looked around at our friends, people who could handle a medical emergency at 40,000 feet, manage a full cabin with a smile, and speak multiple languages," she shares, her tone reflecting the conviction of that moment. "It felt wrong to let that talent pool simply dissipate." The initial idea was less about cuisine and more about creating a platform.

Wei Ling, often the operational anchor to Hui Min's visionary spark, candidly admits the steep learning curve. "We knew service, but supply chains, local licensing, kitchen fit-outs? That was a different turbulence." However, she emphasizes that their core leadership philosophy, forged in the skies, translated seamlessly. "In the air, you lead a team in a confined space to ensure everyone's safety and comfort. On the ground, it's the same principle: you care for your team, and they, in turn, care for your guests." This mindset fostered a unique workplace culture where precision, teamwork, and anticipatory service became the brand's unexpected differentiator.

When speaking about their crew-turned-staff, their pride is palpable. "They aren't just employees; they are our partners in this mission," Hui Min states. "Their discipline is incredible. A delayed order is handled with the same calm professionalism as a request during meal service on a long-haul flight."

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Pandemic Pivot: Successfully transitioned from senior roles in the world's leading airline to first-time F&B entrepreneurs amidst Malaysia's strict movement control orders.
• Purpose-Driven Launch: Built a business model with a core hiring policy prioritising retrenched or furloughed airline crew, directly impacting the livelihoods of their former colleagues.
• Skill Translation: Pioneered a practical framework for translating high-level aviation service skills (crisis management, multicultural communication, meticulous standards) into a competitive advantage in the hospitality sector.
• Brand Storytelling: Crafted a compelling brand narrative that resonated deeply with the public, earning media coverage and customer loyalty based on its social mission as much as its offerings.

The Editor's Take

Lee Hui Min and Tan Wei Ling represent a potent breed of leader forged in crisis: the Empathic Architect. They are not disruptive tech founders, but community builders who use business as a tool for social cohesion. Their leadership is quiet, purposeful, and deeply rooted in collective responsibility. They saw a fracture in their professional family and chose to be the bridge.

Leadership Metrics:

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 7/10 (Their vision was people-first, not market-first, which is its own form of innovation.)
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 8/10 (Navigating the labyrinth of a new industry while building a team from scratch under pandemic constraints is a testament to their operational grit.)
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 6/10 (While not yet giants in F&B, their model offers a powerful case study for workforce retraining and socially conscious business in Malaysia.)

"True service isn't confined to an aircraft cabin. It's a mindset you carry wherever you land. Our biggest asset isn't our recipe; it's our people's ability to turn a transaction into an experience." — The Guiding Philosophy of Hui Min & Wei Ling