About

Celestine Chua

“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

Hi there! I’m Celestine Chua (Celes for short) and I’m a writer, personal development teacher, and student of life. (Add me on Facebook and Twitter @celestinechua!)

I’m the founder of Personal Excellence, #1 community for people passionate about achieving excellence in life. Started in Dec 2008, it has since evolved into a go-to resource for all things related to personal development. If you are new to the site, visit the welcome guide.

Other quick snippets of information about me:

  • Media. I have been interviewed and featured in multiple print, TV and online media, including CNN, Cosmopolitan UK, Business Insider, CBS Business Network, Channel News Asia, and 938 Live radio.
  • Video Channel. Besides PE, I also manage The Celes Show, my online video channel on how to be your best self and live your best life.
  • Speaking. I speak at events and conferences on an invitational basis. I have worked with Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania), Kimberly Clark, The Asia Business Forum, de Baak, Ministry of Defence (Singapore), JobsCentral, NUS Global Alumni Network, People’s Association, National Library, Singapore Institute of Management, and more.
  • Personal growth. Growing and helping others grow is my full-time work. When I’m not writing at PE or working on The Celes Show, I’m actively pursuing my growth, so as to share new lessons with everyone.

My Purpose

My biggest passion in life is to help you achieve your highest potential and live your best life. The purpose which I live by every day, and consequently my mission statement for Personal Excellence is:

  • “To touch others’ lives, help them achieve their highest potential and live their best lives”
  • “To achieve my highest potential and live consciously and freely in truth, love and power”

My Background

My Life in a Snapshot (Living in Singapore)

I was born and raised in Singapore. Besides being fiercely passionate about growth, I believe in standing for what’s right, being true to who you are in life, setting the highest standards for yourself and achieving them, and treating people with kindness and respect. I have been a vegetarian since Jan 2008 for non-cruelty reasons.

Before Setting Up the Blog (2003-2008)

Prior to starting Personal Excellence, I studied Business Administration (Marketing) in National University of Singapore Business School from 2003-2006, and was a Dean’s Lister in every academic year. I eventually graduated as the top student (Marketing) and was awarded as the Most Outstanding Student in the cohort during graduation.

After that, I did brand management in a Fortune 100 company (P&G), managing billion-dollar brands in Asia Pacific for 2 years, before eventually quitting in 2008 to pursue my real passion (a move subsequently covered in media).

7 Month EU/US Travel (2011-2012)

During Jun 2011 to Jan 2012, I embarked on a no agenda, open-end trip around the world, kickstarted by a speaking engagement in Holland. I ended up covering West Europe and United States in the trip before returning to Singapore. Prior to this trip, I’ve traveled around in Asia and Australia but had not been to the western part of the world.

  • Between Jun-Aug, I traveled to Holland (Noordwijk, Hoofddorp, Amsterdam, Den Haag, Gooi, Amstelveen), Germany (Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Einbeck, Berlin), France (Paris) and Belgium (Brussels). I also visited Ibiza, Spain during October.
  • In Aug ’11, I visited and stayed in London, UK for 3 months. I absolutely loved the vibrancy, dynamism and pace of life while I was there.
  • In Nov ’11, I traveled to Philadelphia, US, after being invited to speak at Wharton School of Business. For the next 3 months, I traveled around East Coast (Washington DC, New York City and Boston) and West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco). It was an amazing, eye opening experience.
  • During the trip, I had the great honor and pleasure of meeting readers of PE via the reader meet-ups: London Meet-Up #1, London Meet-Up #2, New York City, Los Angeles

It was an amazing trip that allowed me to connect to many, many incredible souls around the world. I’m very grateful and eternally indebted to all my ex-clients and readers who selflessly opened up their homes to me during my travel and showed me around their countries. Thank you so much. ♥

After such a long and somewhat intense trip, I plan to stay in Singapore for the next 1-2 years, short trips notwithstanding. I do not plan to take an extended trip like that in the near future, though I don’t rule out the possibility of doing so next time.

Articles About Me

If you want to know more about me, here are some articles you can start off with:

Support

If any point you have found my work to have helped and positive influenced you in one way or another and you would like to give back, please consider supporting me.

Let’s Connect!

Remember to bookmark (Ctrl+D) and subscribe to the RSS / email so you’ll be the first to know of all latest updates. Look forward to connecting with you via the blog articles, Facebook and Twitter! ;)