Director of communications Melissa Mohan (Photo: Purple Giant)
Options: It has been seven years since you and your two partners created Purple Giant. Tell us a little about it.
Melissa Mohan: Purple Giant is led by a team of women: myself as director of communications; Juliana Yong who, as director of business development, drives growth, expands our reach and controls our finances; and Lai Yen Yee, our creative director and founder, who leads the team in bringing our clients’ vision and story to life through artworks, videography, photography and animation.
Tell us about the catchy name.
It was Yen who conceived Purple Giant in 2018. What started as a personal venture has since grown, with the addition of two partners. Not many people know this but purple is a universally flattering shade that complements every skin tone. And just like the colour, we believe in adapting our strategies to suit each client’s unique needs and goals, creating tailored solutions along the way. With regard to ‘giant’, we wanted it to reference our deep admiration for elephants. Ancient myths and legends refer to them as giants while revering them for their strength and majesty. We aspire to embrace the pachyderms’ traits of loyalty, resilience and intelligence in our work and beyond. And yes, we do get some curious stares whenever we introduce our company! It’s a fun conversation starter, giving us the perfect opportunity each time to share our story.
Purple Giant also has a very welcoming hiring policy.
We believe in giving anyone with the right talent the opportunity to shine, without being bound by a strict hiring policy. We don’t overcomplicate things — our approach is natural and welcoming, prioritising attitude and personality above all. While qualifications are important as they reflect skills and expertise, what truly matters is how well someone fits into our dynamic team. Claire is a great example of how we go beyond traditional hiring methods. Despite being hearing-impaired, she’s an invaluable asset to our team and was our very first hire. We pride ourselves on creating a harmonious work environment, free from discrimination, where every member shares the same values and goal: to make our clients look good.
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What are your thoughts on the workplace for Malaysian women today?
Malaysia has made great strides in creating a more balanced workplace for women, but there are still areas that need improvement. While women are taking on more leadership roles, some sectors remain less accommodating to working mothers. That’s why we’ve made sure our company offers flexibility, helping us to balance between work and family responsibilities without fear of judgement. This flexibility extends to working fathers, as many nuclear families require both parents to work. Our male colleague, Shidi, benefits from this flexibility. We have built a culture of trust within our team, where everyone remains committed to delivering quality work on time, even with the company’s great time flexibility.
How else do you think change can be put in place to make things better for working women from all walks of life?
Big changes are not always necessary as many companies have taken steps towards improving conditions for working women. For us, it’s about offering more consideration and trusting our team to execute their tasks. It’s two-way: we believe in their abilities and they trust us to support their needs.
What have been your greatest challenges as a working mother yourself?
One of them — something I believe many working mothers can relate to — is trying to balance it all between work and family. It’s tough and without the support of domestic helpers or nannies, it becomes harder to manage. I once received advice from another working mother: It’s impossible to compare ourselves with other striving working women in the workforce as our responsibilities have shifted. This really resonated with me and it became clear that fostering a flexible working environment was crucial — not only for our own balance but also to support the talented women at Purple Giant, helping them pave the way to shine and thrive in their careers.
What lessons are you sharing with your daughters?
I believe honesty is one of the most important lessons I can share with my two daughters. We have open conversations where I remind them that life will present many challenges, and while we cannot avoid them, what truly matters is how we rise above them. I emphasise the importance of good ethics and integrity, and that to be a strong leader, we must serve first. Clearly, my advice has made an impact. My 11-year-old has already started offering herself for a position at Purple Giant! She’s convinced she has what it takes to be part of the team, and honestly, with her confidence,
I wouldn’t be surprised if she takes over one day so we can all retire.
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There is a saying that women are sometimes their own worst enemies. Your thoughts?
It’s true women can sometimes be their own toughest critics and even critical of each other, but I believe self-reflection is key. Instead of competing, we should uplift and support one another, creating a more empowering and encouraging environment for all women.
How else can women support each other?
Thankfully, we are in a country that allows women to thrive. Our voices are heard and we are not suppressed. While most women already uplift and collaborate with each other, there’s always room to strengthen these bonds to break barriers and create opportunities together.
Do you have any role models?
No one specific, but my career has been shaped by key principles I follow. One that has stuck with me is Dale Carnegie’s leadership and people skills — motivating others, showing appreciation and leading with humility rather than authority. Another lesson that has stayed came from my indirect boss at a previous establishment, who told me, ‘When you do something, do it right the first time.’ That simple yet powerful advice continues to guide me in everything I do.
This article first appeared on Mar 3, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
