<h2><i>“I work as a digital content creator and many people might think it’s not a real job or a profession.”</i></h2><h2>About the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XEXO05nFfi2UZ5o8Zi1xf?go=1&amp;sp_cid=753159fc20260c4dcf0eec92cc9f1817&amp;utm_source=embed_player_p&amp;utm_medium=desktop" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">episode</a></h2><p>In Episode 8 of <i>Hello Mentor</i>, <strong>Derek Toh</strong>, Founder and CEO of Hiredly, dives into a candid conversation with Isabella Wong, better known as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bellakuan/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Bella Kuan</strong></a>, a digital content creator and co-founder of the local all-natural skincare brand Handmade Heroes. Bella opens up about her journey as an influencer, her entrepreneurial ventures, and the evolution of content creation from blogging to Instagram. She also addresses common misconceptions about influencer marketing and shares how she turned her passions into a thriving business.</p><h2>Getting to know Bella Kuan</h2><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXswDewJnMC/"><img class="image_resized" style="width:100%;" src="https://blog.hiredly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bellakuan.jpeg" alt="" srcset="https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bellakuan.jpeg 750w, https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bellakuan-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bellakuan-150x150.jpeg 150w" sizes="100vw" width="750"></a>Source: @bellakuan on Instagram</p><p>Isabella Wong, better known as Malaysian influencer Bella Kuan (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bellakuan/?hl=en">@bellakuan</a>), is a digital content creator. She creates content for all things lifestyle from travel, fitness, food and fashion. She also co-founded a local all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free skincare line called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/handmadeheroesmy/">Handmade Heroes</a>.</p><p>Bella carves out time from content creation and business to pursue martial arts, snowboarding, surfing and diving!</p><hr><h3>Breaking Misconceptions About Influencer Marketing<img class="image_resized" style="width:72.83%;" src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/image_2025_01_24_111553891_41e69278d0.png"></h3><p>Bella Kuan reflects on her path as a digital content creator, a career often misunderstood as superficial or unprofessional. She challenges these stereotypes by sharing the complexities behind the scenes, including creating engaging content, managing collaborations, and consistently <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/advice/company-employer-branding-pillars?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=hello_mentor_ep8_|_bella_kuan_on_the_misconception_of_influencer_marketing_and_starting_handmade_heroes&amp;utm_content=freelancing_malaysia,_job_seeker,_job_opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>delivering value to audiences</strong></a>.</p><p>Bella emphasizes that influencer marketing is more than just aesthetics; it’s about building trust and authenticity. The shift from unfiltered blog posts to curated Instagram feeds and now back to authenticity highlights how consumer expectations shape the content creation landscape. For aspiring influencers, Bella advises focusing on what you can offer your audience, creating meaningful content, and staying committed despite initial challenges.</p><hr><h3>The Entrepreneurial Journey with Handmade Heroes<img class="image_resized" style="width:78.19%;" src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/image_2025_01_24_111514813_5c335910eb.png"></h3><p>Bella’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/companies/handmade-heroes-malaysia?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=hello_mentor_ep8_|_bella_kuan_on_the_misconception_of_influencer_marketing_and_starting_handmade_heroes&amp;utm_content=freelancing_malaysia,_job_seeker,_job_opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Handmade Heroes</strong></a>, a vegan, cruelty-free skincare brand that embodies the clean beauty movement. Starting as a passion project with minimal resources, Bella and her co-founders leveraged social media to market their products organically.</p><p>From humble beginnings selling via Instagram to expanding into labs for research and development, Handmade Heroes is now a growing brand offering everything from lip care to skincare. Bella’s story demonstrates the importance of perseverance, learning from experiences, and gradually scaling a business.</p><p>Her partnership with co-founders who complement her skills, such as operations and branding, was instrumental in the brand’s success. This highlights the importance of collaboration and playing to your strengths in entrepreneurship.</p><hr><h3>Insights on Luck, Timing, and Progress</h3><p>One of the key takeaways from the episode is the role of luck and timing in success. Bella acknowledges that being at the forefront of social media during its rise was a <a href="https://savannah-group.com/using-timing-luck-advantage-9-lessons-ceos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>significant factor</strong></a> in her career. However, she believes hard work and patience are equally vital.</p><p>Her advice to young professionals is to stay consistent and not be discouraged by slow progress. As Bella says, “Don’t be too quick to expect returns. Just have faith and keep doing what you know best.”</p><hr><h3>Hello Mentor is a podcast show that platforms raw discussions on career, ambition and success with inspiring individuals who are accomplished in their own rights.</h3><h3>Hello Mentor is hosted by <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/derektoh">Derek Toh</a>, Founder and CEO of Hiredly.</h3><h3>Check out all our episodes on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2XquM47vpj8g4P5g0fBIfu">Spotify</a> for your dose of inspiration and career advice from real people who have been there!</h3><hr><h2><strong>About Bella Kuan</strong></h2><h3><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Also known as Isabella Wong, Bella Kuan is a bonafide multi-hyphenate. Not only is she an active presence on social media for her no-frills approach to healthy, balanced living, this digital content creator is also the co-founder of </span><a href="https://handmadeheroes.my/?srsltid=AfmBOorogTy4Bbw1RgsOPd_9byjhbYiNgsUEeGe9gQMIQUVG-DKNUKj0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:hsl(240, 75%, 60%);">Handmade Heroes</span></a><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">, an all-natural indie beauty brand that gained cult status after its lip scrub was featured in British actress Lily Collin’s beauty routine with Vogue.</span></h3><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Visit Bella Kuan's socials here:</h3><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td style="text-align:center;"><figure class="image"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bellakuan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/tiktok_logo_on_transparent_background_free_vector_bf896bee8f.png"></a></figure></td><td style="text-align:center;"><figure class="image"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bellakuan/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/instagram_cropped_1e8d23e5f6.png"></a></figure></td><td style="text-align:center;"><figure class="image"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bellakuanW/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/4a4c224a0c6667178bebdfa3b6bdb92b_539d78e504.png"></a></figure></td><td style="text-align:center;"><figure class="image"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BellaKuanYT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/vector_circle_youtube_logo_collection_with_flat_design_534308_21669_686b91ed15.png"></a></figure></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><hr><h3>Looking to grow your career or find exceptional talent? Visit <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/jobs?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=hello_mentor_ep8_|_bella_kuan_on_the_misconception_of_influencer_marketing_and_starting_handmade_heroes&amp;utm_content=freelancing_malaysia,_job_seeker,_job_opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hiredly</a> for job opportunities and innovative hiring solutions tailored for the Malaysian job market.</h3>

<p>Bella Kuan squashes misconceptions about content creators and talks business in this episode of Hello Mentor.</p>
