Meet Ye Lyn, the founder of fem., a growing wellness community in KL that's all about empowering women to connect, move, and thrive. Starting with free yoga sessions in the park, she’s built a space where women can explore fitness, mindfulness, and meaningful connections—all while having fun.
Curious about how she turned her dream into reality, overcame challenges, and built a thriving community? Keep reading for her inspiring journey and advice for anyone looking to make an impact in wellness!
Q: Let’s start with your journey into yoga or wellness. What initially drew you to the practice?
I started practicing yoga because it was a trend at the time and a good way to stay fit. But what began as just a form of exercise quickly evolved into something much more meaningful.
Yoga became a way for me to connect with myself on a deeper level—more than just a physical workout. It became a journey of self-discovery and mindfulness. Over time, I realized how yoga helps me not only to get to know my body better but also to tune in to my mind and spirit. Each practice became a form of active meditation, a chance to reconcile with myself, the space around me, and to truly be present.
I love how something as simple as focusing on my breath or becoming aware of each body part can bring me back to the moment and create a sense of calm amidst the chaos of everyday life. It's incredible how yoga has grown from a physical practice into a foundational part of my wellness journey.
Q: Tell us more about your business. Who do you serve? Where? And what’s unique and fun stuff about it?
I run a community called fem., which is all about creating a safe, empowering space for women to explore wellness in ways that resonate with them. We serve women of all backgrounds looking for a supportive community and holistic approaches to self-care and health.
What I love most is the variety of experiences we offer, from pilates and yoga to nutrition workshops and mindful social gatherings. It’s been inspiring to see how each woman connects with these experiences and brings her unique energy to our community.
Q: What inspired you to start fem.?
The inspiration came from a desire to build a space for women to connect, learn, and grow in an authentic and supportive environment. I saw a need for a community that embraces every aspect of wellness—from physical movement to mental clarity to meaningful social connection—and I wanted to be part of creating that.
Q: What did you do before starting and running fem.?
Before starting and running fem., I completed my Bachelor's degree in Dietetics, which gave me a strong foundation in promoting healthy living. With this background, I always felt a sense of responsibility to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Still, I noticed that the typical role of a dietitian—especially in Malaysia—was often very passive. Most of the time, I was limited to one-on-one consultations or giving health talks, which felt like a slow, isolated process.
I started to think, why not create something more engaging and interactive? Why not bring people together in a space where they cannot only learn but also support and motivate each other? That's when the idea for fem. began to take shape. I envisioned a community where women could connect, share, and inspire one another while pursuing a healthier lifestyle together. It was about making wellness fun, accessible, and inclusive—a space where we could grow and thrive as a collective rather than just individuals.
Q: What was the moment like when you decided to take the leap? Who was there with you? Where were you? How did it feel before and after?
The moment I decided to take the leap into starting fem. came when I realized I couldn’t ignore the pull inside me to do something more meaningful. Initially, as a Johorian, my path was pretty much set—I was supposed to move to Singapore for work, where the salary would have been attractive. But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t feel fulfilled. I wanted to create something that brought real value to women’s lives.
I’ve been through tough times in my life, especially as a young woman, and there was always this part of me that wished I had someone who truly understood what I was going through and could offer support and solutions. This feeling sparked the idea of building a supportive community for women. I shared this vision with my boyfriend during my last year of university, and he was incredibly supportive. He believed in me so much that he funded my startup capital and helped me rent a unit in KL to get things going.
When I spoke to my parents about it, they weren’t fully on board at first—they didn’t quite understand my decision—but they gave me the space to pursue my dream and financially supported me in those early days. I told them, "Give me one year to try, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll find a ‘proper’ job."
Looking back, I can’t believe how far I’ve come in just a year. There were so many unknowns at the start, but I’m so proud of how my vision is beginning to take shape. It hasn’t all come together yet, but I can see I’m heading in the right direction. And most importantly, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my boyfriend and my parents. They believed in me even when I wasn’t sure if I could believe in myself. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
Q: What are some biggest challenges in building your business? How did you feel about them at the moment? What have you done to overcome them?
There were so many challenges along the way! First and foremost, I didn’t come from a business background. I had no idea how to run a business—what I knew was that I wanted to bring value to women. I had no clue about things like collaborating with different parties, marketing, or even the most basic business operations like accounting. I was good at math in exams, but in real-world finance? That was a different story altogether.
In the beginning, I also struggled with cash flow. I was working part-time in retail to cover my daily expenses, which added a lot of pressure. It was tough when I saw my friends graduating at the same time, getting full-time, well-paid jobs while I was barely scraping by month to month, just trying to keep the dream alive.
Every time I went back to my hometown, my grandma would ask, "Can you really make money with that?" and my dad would tell me to find a job in Singapore, like his friend's daughter did. It was hard not to feel like I was doing something risky and uncertain, especially when it seemed like everyone around me had more stable, traditional career paths.
I also felt a lot of self-doubt. I worried about how others might perceive me—a young woman trying to make a career out of running a "community" for women. It didn’t always seem serious, especially to those who didn’t fully understand the value of what I was building.
I have to give so much credit to my boyfriend, though. He’s been a huge source of guidance and direction, not just financially but also in terms of strategy, since he runs his own business. But at the same time, I can't overlook how much my mom’s support meant to me. Even though she didn’t fully understand what I was doing, she always believed in me. She would tell me, “Dream big because dreaming is the most luxurious thing you can do without any expense. If you don’t dream, it won’t happen. So, make a wild, wild dream.”
Whenever I was doubting myself, I could count on her to pick up the phone, reassure me, and remind me that no matter what, she had my back and would always support me. Her words gave me the strength to keep going when things felt uncertain, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.
Q: How did you grow your business from scratch? What did you do? And what are you doing differently now after a year (with a larger audience)?
When I first started fem., it was just me leading a simple mat workout session in the park, completely free of charge. My goal was simple: to gather women together, get them moving, and help them connect in a supportive space. At that time, it wasn’t about profits or even organizing the perfect event—it was about building something real and valuable for women who wanted to prioritize their health and well-being.
The response was better than I expected, and soon, more and more women started joining our sessions. I was thrilled, but I also saw that this was an opportunity to expand beyond just fitness classes. We started exploring different activities, from outdoor sports to fitness challenges. One of our biggest wins was being one of the first communities in KL to introduce pickleball—which has exploded in popularity since then!
As we continued running regular sessions, I realized something important: I was investing a lot of time and energy into organizing these activities, and while it was fulfilling, it was also demanding. That’s when we started charging a small participation fee to cover expenses and keep the program sustainable. This was a big shift for me—learning how to monetize the community while keeping it accessible and valuable for everyone.
In the beginning, I had a partner who was helping me run fem., but we eventually parted ways due to her career change, as she had to move to Singapore. While it was hard, it pushed me to grow in new ways and take more ownership of the business. I began reaching out to different instructors and venues, asking for collaborations to host our events in various spaces. I also worked hard to refine and improve the programs, always intending to bring more value and relevance to the women in our community.
Now, a year later, we’ve built a little reputation in the Klang Valley, and I’m humbled by how much the community has grown. More and more brands and organizations are reaching out for collaborations, which is exciting, but it also means I must be careful. I’m very mindful of ensuring that every partnership aligns with our core values of creating a safe and empowering space for women. It’s important to me that we never lose sight of what makes fem. special—the sense of belonging and empowerment that we offer our members.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that I’m not alone anymore. Now, I have a small but mighty team of women I call my Powerpuff Girls. They are the heart and soul of our community, and together, we are able to bring even more amazing experiences to the women who trust us with their wellness journey.
Looking ahead, I have big dreams. I want to see fem. expand beyond just the Klang Valley, reaching other states in Malaysia and eventually going international. I envision a day when fem. is the go-to name people think of when it comes to female wellness communities, where women everywhere know that they have a safe, welcoming space to get fit, feel empowered, and grow.
While we’ve come a long way, I know there’s still so much more to build, learn, and improve. But I’m excited and incredibly grateful for how far we’ve come. And most importantly, I’m proud of the women who have joined me on this journey. It’s a community effort, and every day, I’m reminded of how much strength, resilience, and love there is in this space.
Q: How do you juggle your energy and time between business, health (physical and mental), relationships, and day-to-day life?
Balancing business, health (both physical and mental), relationships, and day-to-day life is something I’m continually working on. I’ve found that setting boundaries and being intentional with my time helps a lot. For instance, I try to separate work and rest by working outside my home, often in a café. This change in environment helps me stay focused during work hours and truly unwind at home.
Hosting events can be quite tiring, so I make it a point to treat myself afterward—whether it’s enjoying a nice meal or simply taking some quiet time to rest and recharge. Having alone time is essential for me to reflect, process my thoughts, and regain energy.
Staying active is another way I balance my energy. I love joining communities for sports, and frisbee has become one of my favorite ways to stay physically and socially engaged. I also make it a priority to take vacations when I can. These breaks not only help me recharge but also give me a chance to reflect on what I’ve been working on and what truly matters.
That said, I’m still learning to master work-life balance. It can be a challenge as someone who often has many ideas and emotions buzzing around. But I see this as a work in progress, and I’m always looking for ways to improve and create more balance in my life.
Q: What do you do when you’re not working on fem.?
When I’m not working on fem., I love indulging in good food—I’m definitely a foodie! My life is simple, and I find joy in the little things. Lately, I’ve been trying to cultivate a habit of reading.
Besides, I also spend a lot of my free time researching and exploring different communities, sports, or locations that could potentially bring value to fem. It’s a blend of personal interest and inspiration for what I do, and I truly enjoy discovering new experiences along the way.
Q: What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being a community builder? What are you most proud of?
The most rewarding part is seeing the impact fem. has on the women in our community. Every message and conversation about how an event or class helped someone is incredibly fulfilling. I’m proud of creating a space where women feel safe, supported, and inspired to prioritize themselves.
Q: Which part of running a business surprised you the most? That you never thought about but found out later.
The most surprising part of this journey has been how much I’ve grown personally. Building a community has taught me patience, adaptability, and the importance of nurturing relationships in ways I never expected. What stood out to me is how empowering and supportive the women in the community have been—not just to each other but to me as well.
Organizing events, both small and large, has been challenging, especially since I had no prior experience. However, the women didn’t just support fem. as a brand; they’ve also supported me emotionally. Their encouragement and understanding have been invaluable even when things didn’t go as planned. It’s been a reminder that the people you build something for can become your greatest source of strength.
Q: Have you had any memorable moments or experiences that have shaped how you think about work and life?
One memorable moment that shaped my thoughts about work and life came from a participant at our Rooftop Sunset Carnival event. She shared how much she had been struggling with stress in her life, but after attending the event, she felt completely herself again. She mentioned how the environment, meeting different women, and the experience of being in the moment helped her release so much of that stress.
It was a powerful reminder of why I do what I do—creating spaces where people can truly be themselves and find relief from the pressures of everyday life. Moments like these reinforce the impact of what we’re building and remind me of the deeper purpose behind the work.
Q: What do you think about Malaysia's wellness industry and community?
The wellness industry in Malaysia is growing, and it’s exciting to see so many people interested in well-being. I’d love to see more inclusivity and collaboration in the industry—making wellness accessible and relatable to everyone. As a community, we can do more to foster connection and support, focusing on building each other up and promoting balance in all areas of life.
Q: How do you see yourself in the next 3-5 years? What’s the next step or stage for you?
In the next 3-5 years, I see fem. growing into a more well-known community with a stronger bond among its members. I envision more women coming together to empower each other in this safe space we’ve created, and I hope our impact reaches even further, potentially internationally.
Personally, I anticipate becoming more mature and self-aware through this journey. As I continue to grow, I’ll better understand what I truly value and how to align my actions with those insights. The next step for me is to continue nurturing fem., expanding its reach, and deepening the connections we have within the community.
Q: What advice would you give aspiring ladies looking to build their brand or business?
Stay true to your values and vision, no matter what. The wellness field is about connection and authenticity, so find what genuinely resonates with you and build from there. Stay adaptable, be patient, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your passion is your strength—let that guide you!
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