In the lead-up to Rise Up, we asked our ambitious female founders a few questions about their entrepreneurial journey and what inspires them. Meet Dr Angela Lim, founder of Clearhead - an online, one-stop-shop platform, designed by New Zealand doctors, which empowers New Zealanders to find the help they need. They do this by helping users understand their symptoms and providing personalised recommendations through a digital wellbeing assistant.
Where were you born and where do you call home now?
I was born in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia, but I call Auckland home now.
Tell me briefly about your work background before you decided to start your own business?
I was a medical doctor training to be a paediatrician before I started Clearhead.
When did you first start working on Clearhead and how did the idea come about?
My co-founder and I started Clearhead in September 2018. The idea of improving access to healthcare through the use of technology has been something that I have passively been thinking about for more than 10 years but the specific idea of Clearhead came from a chat with my cofounder over dinner in May 2018.
What has been your biggest challenge in your entrepreneurial journey?
Balancing our social mission of wanting to provide Clearhead to everyone for free with having a business model that enable to scale up our impact and be financially sustainable.
Who has been your biggest cheerleader along the way?
My parents have been incredibly supportive and encouraging throughout the ups and downs of the start-up journey.
What or who inspires you?
My grandma who has overcome a lot of hardship in her life and still holds herself with so much grace and compassion.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
You influence people not by telling them what to think but by leading them to come to the same conclusion you did but making them feel that it was their idea all along.
Do you have any advice for female entrepreneurs in NZ?
Don’t be apologetic to stand up for what you believe in or to ask for help.
Running your own business must be hectic, how do you unwind?
I meditate daily, journal regularly, run several times a week, and catch up with friends and family several times a week.
What three things can’t you live without?
My friends and family, Clearhead, and trying good food while travelling
If you won Rise Up, what would you use the money for?
We are needing to scale up our operations and invest in both customer success and research and development of our AI digital therapist. The money would go a long way in helping us with setting the foundation for scale.
Due to Covid restrictions Rise Up will now be an online event, taking place from 3-5pm on Tuesday 23 November 2021. Please join us to celebrate and be inspired by some of Aotearoa’s fabulous female founders. Attendance is FREE and you can REGISTER HERE.