On a Thursday afternoon in the middle of Petaling Jaya, friends, sisters and kin gathered over cups of coffee, plates of hot laksam, honeycomb cakes and raspberries. Together, this group of creatives and talents worked to share stories their heels can tell. Like trees, heels accumulate rings and wear, highlighting the places you’ve been and the people you’ve met in your life. These heels give you comfort and confidence, staying with you till they give way to time. 

We meet Joan on this day. An executive constantly balancing the world of logic and the desire to indulge in one’s creative needs, Joan works during the day as a Creative Economist, helping network other creatives and to create bigger opportunities to monetise their work. After hours, she’s also a barre instructor and a fitness aficionado, keeping her mind, and health, sharp and ready for what the world may throw at a hats drop. 

Below is an excerpt from our conversation with her.

What is your favorite memory with Nelissa Hilman?

With Nelissa Hilman, there are many favorite memories but one of their key ones that I remember is getting my first pair of Nelissa’s. It was from their denim collection with the bow, so I actually had two from that collection. So for me, that memory still stays with me till now. 

K: What are you most proud of in 2024?

Well, in 2024, I did a lot of things that I wanted to do. I think, work wise, I’ve been really proud that I’ve been able to achieve a big sort of festival platform kind of project. It felt impossible at the start, but I think at the end of the year, now looking back, there were many learning curves but also I think another point for 2024, is that being able to juggle a lot of things – in a personal capacity as well as professionally. So that’s been a big thing for me this year. 

Last question, what are you most excited about in 2025? 

 2025, for amazing opportunities and possibilities to come. So I think, more juggling of personal growth as well as professional development. So I’m looking forward to 2025 because I think there will be more projects coming along as well. 

I’ll let you know a lil secret, but maybe not so lil secret anymore –  cause this year, a lot of my professional work, I’ve been juggling to be a certified barre instructor. So I did that this year, in terms of juggling schedules to get that done, but in 2025, I'll slightly be doing more teaching as well – barre. So to juggle both sides of that, because I work in the arts, and in creative economies, so I think that will be a staple in my life but I really enjoy another side of development in terms of fitness, wellness, and being able to do more of that through barre.