#07. Vivian Eng and her Values, Passion, and Purpose

Welcome to our SG60 stories about people who have been shaped by Singapore, and are making a difference in Singapore. This series aims to be a platform for individual reflection on what our own values are, and how we discover our passion and strive towards our purpose.

Values are your non-negotiable foundation, passion is about what excites and motivates you, and purpose is your deeper reason for existence. - Harvard Business Review

Wantedly’s mission is to create a world where work drives passion, and whether you are a founder or creator, a leader or a gig worker, a consultant or a teacher, discovering and aligning your values, passion, and purpose will give you the best chance at having a fulfilling career, and more importantly, a meaningful life. With that in place, organisations can achieve their mission, and society and beyond will benefit in the long run. And as a nation, when we reflect on our shared values of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness, we can build upon what drove our prosperity…

SG60’s theme is a refreshed spirit, and by celebrating Singapore’s journey to date, Wantedly is proud to spotlight some of those who have contributed to the past, and will be shaping the next chapter of the Singapore story.

Vivian is an accomplished coach educator with over 15 years of experience in sports coaching for kids, youth, and adults. A retired multi-sport national athlete with a background in Sports Science and Nutrition, she channels her passion for active living and child development into Vivo Kinetics. As the founder and leader of Vivo Kinetics since 2017, Vivian oversees programs such as Vivo Kids multi-sport, holiday camps, community and corporate events, and educational workshops, impacting over 70 schools in Singapore and Vietnam. Her dedication to nurturing movement and play has made a lasting contribution to sports education and early years childhood development.

In her own words...

Most of my friends and family will know about my background in nutrition and that I am a dedicated home cook who enjoys spending time at grocery stores and markets. What some might not know is that I’ve also completed a two-week gelato-making course! One of my biggest dreams is to open a vibrant F&B concept that offers exceptional coffee&tea, artisanal gelato, craft beers, and delicious food. During the day, it would be the perfect brunch spot, and by night, it would transform into a lively dining venue with great food, drinks, and desserts. My vision includes a kid and pet-friendly environment with an outdoor play area for games and active fun, making it an ideal space for families and gatherings.

On a personal note, I aspire to be a kids’ food host one day - inspiring and teaching children about food, cooking, and nutrition. Through this, I hope to encourage kids to make healthier food choices, embrace home-cooked natural goodness, and explore diverse flavours. My goal is to steer them away from highly processed foods, junk meals, and pre-packed lunches, and foster a love for wholesome, balanced eating. I dream of paving the way for children to discover the joys of real food while building a lasting appreciation for nutrition and wellness, setting them on a good foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

Lastly, for my perfect ideal retirement goal, I would love to travel the world as a food host, immersing myself in different cuisines and cultures—a perfect blend of my passions for food, adventure, and exploring the world!

Vivian cooking up a feast for Christmas, 2024

1. What are your top 3 values? Please explain.

• Integrity: Trust is essential in both business and personal relationships. From my experience, I operate mostly on trust and it provides a strong foundation for growth while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Resilience: The ability to persist despite failure is an essential life skill for achieving great things. Whether on the field in sports or facing challenges in business, I would not have accomplished what I have today if I had given up at the first hurdle/fall.
• Adaptability: From a young age, I have walked an unconventional path, choosing to work as a freelancer in the sports industry before eventually taking a leap of faith to start my own business. This journey has been filled with uncertainties, often requiring me to unlearn and relearn everything I once thought I knew. Staying adaptable is crucial and adaptability fuels innovation - making it essential to think outside the box not only to survive but also to thrive and stay ahead.

2. What keeps you up at night?

The thought of becoming immobile, unfit, or unhealthy makes me uncomfortable. While aging and physical decline begin the moment we are born, I don’t believe this is a problem we can fully solve. However, there are many steps we can take to slow its effects.

On a broader scale, issues like obesity and sedentary lifestyles have become global health concerns. That’s why maintaining an active lifestyle and having access to nutritious food are essential to me.

As a business, Vivo Kinetics champions a healthy, active lifestyle by instilling these habits in children from an early age. Without good health, we may experience a lower quality of life and find ourselves unable to accomplish many other things.

Vivian founded Vivo Kinetics in 2017

3. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

A delicious healthy breakfast with a great cup of coffee!

That aside, when I was on my secondary school track and field team, we had a quote printed on the back of our team T-shirt: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift.” At the time, I didn’t fully grasp its meaning, but now I do.

Each day, I wake up thinking about how I can use my gifts to reach my fullest potential—whether in my work or to help others. Now that I run a business, I have a platform to create a greater impact. I also have a team that looks to me for direction and insights, which gives me a strong sense of responsibility to maximize my time and talents wisely.

If I stop working and learning, my business and team will also stagnate. Every extra hour spent lazing in bed or procrastinating feels like a wasted opportunity to make the most of my time and gifts.

4. What fills your cup?

Staying healthy and fit, as I tend to perform and feel my best when I am in good physical condition. Preparing and cooking my meals, long walks with my dog along with getting a good workout in the gym or on the field, are essential parts of my daily routine.

Working on and pursuing my passion, because it gives meaning to my efforts and work. My business, Vivo Kinetics, aligns with that.

Continuously seeking new knowledge, experiences, and learning new skills. Knowledge is power, and I enjoy acquiring information/experiences that broadens my perspectives and enhances my understanding of the world.

Vivian hiking at Switzerland Lake Oeschinen, 2023

5. In your current season, how do you define success?

To me, success means having the freedom to live on my own terms and the autonomy to make choices regarding my time, work, and life. Starting a business was a step toward this goal. While I haven't fully achieved it yet, I believe I am on the right path.

Success also means mastering multiple skills and leaving a lasting impact wherever I go—or at the very least, improving every place I have been. The more knowledge I gain and skills I acquire, the better positioned I am to add value in all areas. I believe a truly successful person is one who embraces continuous learning and growth.

6. Please leave us with your advice for founders.

As a founder, I’ve realized that the more I do, the more I learn. With that mindset, no task is too small or insignificant to take on. There is beauty in executing even the most mundane tasks with excellence, as it prepares you to tackle more complex challenges.

It is important to have a deep understanding of your product/services, on-the-ground operations, and the needs of your clientele. Knowing your unique selling points (USPs) and how to position and value of your product/service is essential.

You should live, eat, and breathe the ethos of your company—leading by example as a role model for your team and brand.

Stay adaptable and flexible—things rarely go as planned, and change is the only constant. Lastly, brace yourself for the journey ahead, but don’t forget to enjoy the ride.

Vivian presenting at MotorSkillLearning Conference, 2024

If my business ethos resonates with you, get in touch - vivianeng@vivokinetics.com and follow Vivo Kinetics on Social Media @vivokidssingapore on IG and FB!

Once again, in celebration of SG60, let us strive to be bolder and kinder to one another, for Singapore and ourselves.

This series was brought to you by Wantedly Hire - an application tracking system optimised for modern hiring practices. Experience seamless hiring with tailored workflows designed to align with your recruitment structure, automated interview scheduling, and actionable insights to optimise hiring performance!