In the heart of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, a young girl grew up watching her mother work tirelessly as a seamstress, stitching garments late into the night to support the family. That girl was Christy Ng, who would go on to become one of Malaysia’s most inspiring entrepreneurs and a powerful voice for women in business. Raised in a modest household, Christy was no stranger to hard work. Her father ran a small hardware store, while her mother’s skill with fabric quietly ignited a passion in Christy that would shape her future. Though she went on to earn a degree in biotechnology, her heart was always pulled toward design, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Christy’s journey began not with a grand plan or major capital but with a secondhand sewing machine and RM3,000 of her own savings. In 2010, from the corner of her bedroom, she launched Christy Ng Shoes, an online platform offering made-to-measure women’s footwear. It was a bold move at a time when e-commerce was still gaining traction in Malaysia and custom shoe design was a niche idea. She designed the shoes herself, coordinated orders, and personally packed and shipped them to customers. Slowly, word spread. Her designs were not just stylish; they were practical, empowering, and inclusive. Customers saw in her products something that mainstream brands had failed to deliver: shoes that truly fit their feet and their lives.
Her early success was anything but easy. With no investors and no formal business training, Christy learned through experience by making mistakes, adapting, and pushing forward. There were times she questioned whether the business would survive, especially during moments when finances ran low or when demand outpaced her small operation’s capacity. But every obstacle only added fuel to her determination. Her breakthrough came when her brand gained traction on social media, leading to collaborations with global names like Starbucks and the expansion of her business into physical retail spaces across Malaysia.
As her brand grew, so did her platform, and Christy used it with intention. She began speaking out about the unique challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship, from unequal access to funding to the societal pressure to conform. She shared her own story not as a polished fairytale but as a real journey filled with doubt, setbacks, and grit. Christy made it clear that success was not reserved for the privileged. It was possible for anyone willing to put in the work, especially women who had long been underestimated.
What truly sets Christy apart is her deep-rooted belief in empowering others. She didn’t just build a business; she created opportunities for other women, whether through hiring local artisans, offering mentorship, or organizing skill-building workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs. She also champions sustainability in fashion, promoting slow, thoughtful design in an industry dominated by fast trends. Her commitment to ethical business practices and community impact has become a core part of her brand’s identity.
Today, Christy Ng is more than a name in the fashion world. She is a symbol of resilience, creativity, and purpose. Her story resonates far beyond shoes. It speaks to the power of vision, the strength of women who dare to dream differently, and the legacy that can be built when someone chooses to rise despite every reason not to. Through every challenge and every triumph, Christy has remained true to her roots, proving that the most powerful journeys often begin in the most ordinary places.