Sabahan interior designer, Ashley Yeoh, redefines art entrepreneurship

Founder of MOM Designer House, Ashley Yeoh, is redefining art entrepreneurship and setting new heights for the local interior design landscape.

The boutique interior design firm gained national recognition last year by wining gold for Best Retail Design by ATAP Design Awards.

"I’m very proud of my team for winning this award. Among so many top design companies in Malaysia, we were not only along side them but also recognised by international referees."

Other projects by MOM Designer House were also finalists for Best Cafe design, Best Leisure & Wellness design and Best Bar & Club design.

"Aside from being recognised, we are also happy to be adding value to the clients who employ us."

On finding her spark

Ashley's journey as a student and part time designer began 11 years ago but her passion was really sparked at 15 years old when she visited her uncle's furniture factory. From then on she took a great interest in the world of design.

"I was moved when I saw my design go from a drawing into reality for the first time. This feeling still exists now.

At the same time, to see such positive responses to the spaces that we have designed encourages us to firmly believe that good design can not only transform a space but also transform people's livelihood."

MOM Designer House has accumulated a dazzling portfolio of client projects over the years. Ashley and her team find motivation and feel committed seeing how their designs have helped clients gain reputation and business from their creations.

"My motivation comes first from my husband. He is a good listener and very supportive. I cannot forget my partners though. It is rare to find people who have the same vision and I believe in entrepreneurship you have to be a little a bit crazy to go down this road," Ashley chuckled. "They make my business life so much fun."

"I am very grateful to be on this path as an art entrepreneur. To this day, we have a great team and regular clients who believe in us."

New heights, same passion

"We've overcome many obstacles at different stages of MOM Designer House but in today I would say, living in this high-speed informative era, the market's needs are sometimes beyond our expectations. We have to learn new things every day to make sure we are always ready.

Staying positive and passionate also plays an important role to keep on running this path. Without passion, it is very hard to keep going because it can get stressful.

Rest when you need to and always reflect on your how far you've come and why you started in the first place."

Ashley is just one of eight Women In Real Estate 2023.

You can read the other stories here.

Women In Real Estate is an annual celebration by Property Hunter in conjunction with International Women's Day.

For the month of March, stories of inspiring women is shared to encourage and build a community of real estate professionals in all sectors of the industry.

Recognising the movement of rising women in real estate

Special thanks to Hyatt Centric, Kota Kinabalu for sponsoring the photoshoot set and interview space.