More about me...
I used to believe success was about ticking boxes, climbing career ladders, chasing accolades and flashy outfits. Over time I realised that real success is about building a life that feels fulfilling on the inside, not just impressive on the outside. It is about nurturing meaningful relationships and creating work that genuinely matters.
My name is Wayne. I am a licenced realtor, a former head of a trade desk, a finance and fintech educator, and a lifelong learner. I am passionate about simplifying productivity, building projects that make a difference, and guiding people through some of life’s most important decisions, especially when it comes to property transactions.
During the day I help clients navigate the real estate market with clarity and confidence. In the evenings and early mornings I explore creative pursuits, experiment with new ideas, and share lessons that inspire growth.
This site is my open notebook. It is where I document what I am learning, what I am building, and the experiments I am running, all with the hope that it sparks something useful for you too.
My Journey
1985 ~ 2005
Early Days
I was born in the mid-80s and grew up in a typical Chinese family in Singapore. My childhood followed the familiar rhythm of the nation’s education system, which shaped much of who I became. I spent 3 years in preschool starting at the age of 3, then moved on to 6 years of primary school. After that came 4 years of secondary school, though for some it stretched to 5, and finally 3 years in polytechnic.
By the time I was nearing 20, I graduated as part of the very first batch of students with a Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. It was a proud achievement, yet I quickly realised that the path of an engineer was not where my interests truly lay. My curiosity was already pulling me in a different direction towards investment and finance.
2005 ~ 2008
NS & Entering Workforce
I was fortunate to serve my National Service (NS) with the Singapore Air Force as a pilot trainee. Those 2.5 years were some of the most demanding of my life.
The training covered officership, flight theory and practical sessions where my Aeronautical diploma proved useful, and even jungle survival in Brunei where I managed to last four days on river water without food. At the flight training school, I also experienced the sheer intensity of the centrifugal machine, pulling 8 times the force of gravity, a moment that pushed my body and mind to their limits.
Eventually, I did not complete the programme and returned to Singapore, released from my national service duty. That moment was humbling, but it also opened the door to a new path. I enrolled in a part-time finance degree at SIM University, which would later be renamed Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS), while beginning my career at OCBC Bank as a junior officer. My time at the bank lasted only 1 year+, but it coincided with the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the Global Financial Crisis.
Being inside the banking world during that storm was eye opening. I witnessed how quickly markets could unravel and how uncertainty could ripple through every level of the financial system. For someone just starting out, it was both daunting and formative. Although brief, that experience gave me a front row seat to one of the most significant financial events in modern history and shaped the way I thought about risk, resilience, and adaptability. These lessons continued to guide me in the years ahead.
2008 ~ 2014
Real Estate & Self-discovery
I left the comfort of a monthly paycheck and stepped into the uncertain world of real estate. The beginning was tough. As a new real estate salesperson with limited network, I had to build everything from the ground up. Most of my peers were still starting out in their own careers, which meant I had no warm leads to lean on.
I knocked on doors, asking homeowners if they were planning to sell and introducing my services. I printed flyers and slipped them into mailboxes and doorsteps, handed them out at MRT entrances, and took on showflat duties to serve walk‑in customers. Each effort was a gamble, and the irregular income quickly drained my savings. The stress of not knowing when the next deal would come was heavy, but it also forced me to grow tougher and more resourceful.
To serve clients better, I added the cost of getting a second car so I could bring home seekers around for viewings. To save cost, I opted for an off‑peak vehicle instead of a regular car which was cheaper on the upfront payment. Even though it came with restrictions, it was a practical choice that allowed me to keep moving forward in my work.
After many months of relentless hustling, I finally secured my first property case. It was not a glamorous deal, but it meant everything to me. That first client gave me the chance to learn the ropes of the industry in real time, from understanding paperwork and negotiations to building trust with people making life changing decisions.
As I grew, I found myself handling transactions that were far from straightforward. Divorce settlements, probate cases, and complex tenancy handovers became part of my early journey. Each situation came with its own sensitivities and challenges, forcing me to adapt quickly and approach every case with sincerity and care.
Looking back, those experiences taught me that persistence opens doors, but it is sincerity and resilience that keep them open. They shaped the way I approached my work, reminding me that every property case is more than just a transaction, it is a story in someone’s life.
In 2014, I got married, a joyful milestone that came with its own challenges. I took on more than $50,000 in loans to cover the wedding, house furniture, and renovation. When we first moved in, we did not even have a sofa or a dining table. What made those years bearable was the unwavering support of my wife. She stood by me through the uncertainty, encouraged me when the stress felt overwhelming, and reminded me that we were building not just a house but a life together.
Those years taught me humility, perseverance, and the value of partnership. They reminded me that success is not instant, but built slowly through persistence, sacrifice, and the willingness to keep showing up even when the odds feel stacked against you.
2014 ~ 2018
Side Hustles, Bike Accident, Health & Trainer
The property market had slowed significantly after a series of government cooling measures. The removal of the Interest Absorption Scheme and Interest Only Scheme in 2009, the introduction of Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) in 2010 and Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) in 2011, the tightening of Loan-to-Valuation (LTV) limits in 2012, and finally the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework in 2013 all reshaped the real estate landscape. For my fledgling career in real estate, it was a difficult time, and I had to explore other alternatives to sustain myself and my family.
Out of filial piety, I attained a taxi vocational licence as a proactive measure to support my father. Unlike private hire vehicles, driving a taxi requires a specific licence that cannot be obtained overnight, so I wanted to be ready to step in for him should the need ever arise. This foresight proved to be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic; when the real estate market slowed down, I was able to cover my transport costs by taking passengers while commuting to and from my property viewings. These sessions on the road gave me an intimate, street-level knowledge of Singapore’s many estates and allowed me to provide transport for my clients during viewings. Combined with my experience in managing and optimising rental properties, these experiences have deepened my market insight and my commitment to being a resourceful, reliable partner for my clients.
In 2017, I started to experience on and off excruciating pain in my abdomen. Most days, there will be feeling of indigestion and heartburn. Eventually, the occurrence of the pain episode is too frequent and I consulted medical professional which almost led to a cholecystectomy (surgery to remove the gallbladder).
I developed a growing interest in the training and education industry. Determined to upskill, I attained the ACTA certification to become a qualified trainer. This opened doors for me conduct forex trainings locally and in venues outside Singapore like Vietnam and Malaysia. I was able to combine my finance background and training knowledge to help many individuals understand the risk and complexities of trading any financial markets.
Life, however, is never without setbacks. In 2018, I was involved in a motorbike accident that left me warded in hospital for two weeks. I suffered a mild head concussion, hairline fractures in my right shoulder blade, ribs, pelvis, and skin abrasion in several areas. Thankfully, no surgery was required, but the recovery was still painful and slow. The cause of the accident remained unclear as I believe a vehicle hit me from behind, yet I was even issued a warning letter for careless driving. That experience was frustrating, but it also taught me how easily circumstances can be misunderstood.
The physical pain was difficult but the emotional weight was heavier. Lying helplessly in the hospital bed, I had time to reflect on how fragile life can be and how quickly everything can change. The accident forced me to pause, to appreciate the support of my loved ones, and to recognise the importance of health. It reminded me that setbacks are not the end of the road, but often the beginning of a deeper understanding of ourselves.
This chapter was defined by side hustles, setbacks, health alarms and self‑reinvention. I learnt that adaptability is not just about surviving difficult times, but about finding new ways to grow, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. Never stop learning and always take ownership of your own health.
As the years drew to a close, new opportunities began to surface that would draw me back into the corporate world and place me in a position to lead and teach on a much larger scale.
2018 ~ 2023
Balancing Corporate Leadership, Real Estate, and Further Studies
I returned to the corporate world and joined a cryptocurrency proprietary trading firm. Started out as a Analyst and worked my way up to head the trading desk. Subsequently, I moved to become the Chief Trainer and Head of OTC Desk of a local cryptocurrency exchange while continuing to serve clients in real estate. During the same period, I was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Finance part-time which I completed by 2022.
The pace was intense and I was juggling deadlines, property viewings, family and academic commitments, often in the same week. The COVID-19 global pandemic made everything even tougher. Work from home blurred boundaries, lockdowns restricted movement, and the absence of face to face interaction reshaped how we connected with colleagues and clients. We had to adapt to a new work order, finding ways to stay productive, collaborative and resilient in an environment of uncertainty.
Amidst these challenges, I grew in unexpected ways. I stepped into a management role that required me to report directly to the CEO, sharpening my leadership and decision making skills. I trained professionals, honed my public speaking, and learnt how to communicate with clarity and confidence across diverse audiences. One milestone was conducting and building content fully in Chinese which was a first for me in a corporate setting. Drawing on the strong foundation I had built from young, I managed to pull through and deliver with impact.
Work, family, real estate and studies all demanded my attention, yet I made it a point to practise Qigong daily and follow principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine. I adjusted my diet by cutting down on sugar and junk food and over time the abdominal pain from gallstones disappeared completely. Good health, I realised, has no shortcuts. It is built through consistent discipline and the accumulation of small, deliberate steps.
My investments in cryptocurrency did exceptionally well. After cashing out my investment capital and some profits, my wife and I moved into our dream location in city centre. By the end of 2022, I had not only graduated with my Master’s Degree in Finance but also attained the Chartered Fintech Professional certification, further strengthening my expertise at the intersection of finance and technology.
It was a period of growth, adaptability and proving that even in the toughest circumstances, clarity and progress are possible. Things are starting to turn for the better and I had regained control and the confidence to make my own choices, ready to move forward with purpose.
2023 ~ 2025
Simply Yia and Building New Foundations
After years of balancing corporate responsibilities, I made the decision to leave my high paying stressful full time job and reclaimed control of my time. The transition was not without setbacks. A couple of business ventures did not succeed, but I learnt valuable lessons each time.
I established myself more firmly as a trainer, conducting WSQ accredited courses and sharing knowledge on blockchain and fintech with professionals across industries.
Another highlight was a speaking engagement in full Chinese for an executive program of Hong Kong University on the topic of blockchain technology and Non-Fungible Token (NFT). I was able to connect with a wider audience and showcase the depth of my bilingual foundation.
When I turned 40 in 2025, I signed up for boxing at a nearby gym. It was something I had always wanted to do to rebuild my fitness. Years of city stress had left my body battered and worn, and I knew it was time to take action. Most of the gym members and trainers were in their 20s, which made me one of the older faces there. Yet connecting with this energetic group was refreshing. It gave me new perspectives, insights into their world, and a reminder that discipline and resilience cut across generations. I train consistently 2-3 times each week.
I am excited to launch my own brand, Simply Yia. It brings together my experiences in property, finance, training and lifestyle, and reflects my commitment to building a multidimensional identity that is authentic, resilient and future ready. Simply Yia is not just a brand name, but a platform to share insights, empower others and create meaningful connections.
How Can i help you
I’ve spent years helping people navigate property deals, financial choices and personal transitions. If you’re looking for clarity, strategy and grounded advice, I’m here to help.