Meet Helen Su Yang
Co-founder of Cheeky World, mum of three, aesthetics enthusiast, sun-shunner, and wellness devotee turned entrepreneur. Beneath her calm exterior? A quietly sharp sense of humour once you get to know her.
Before returning to Singapore for a second chapter, Helen spent time in Los Angeles, where health and wellness culture runs deep. Once back in the Little Red Dot, she picked up a racket for the first time since high school and quickly found her way to WITS.
Since then, she’s gone from singles player to doubles convert, finding friendship, team spirit, and a welcome escape along the way.
Q&A with Helen
Q: What surprised you most when you first arrived to Singapore?
When I first arrived I was surprised at how easy it is to make friends. Everyone was so friendly and willing to take the initiative to include me and I really appreciate that so much.
Q: What does a “normal” day look like for you (if that even exists)?
Oh Gosh, a normal day I am running around at full speed. I usually start my mornings around 5:30/6am. Breakfast, kids in the car to big school. After they are off I head to tennis or to the gym. I’m usually there by 7am so I can rush back to take my 3rd to preschool. After I drop her off I’m doing a combination of work and errands. I pick up my youngest by 1pm, take her home for a nap, eat a late lunch and rush off to pick up my two older girls in Woodlands and we continue to their after school activities, dinner, shower, bedtime, and repeat the next day.
Your experience with tennis & WITS
Q: When did you start playing tennis, and how did you get into it?
I started playing a bit in middle school here and there. But started playing more in High school and joined our HS varsity team. I had only played singles until I joined WITs.
Q: What’s your on-court personality in 3 words?
Focused. Steady. Aggressive.
Q: What does tennis give you that nothing else does?
Tennis has become another community for me. I absolutely love my team and enjoy being around them so much. We laugh and have so much fun, but at the same time we are all goal oriented and we’re all here for the same thing. Tennis gave me a place to forget any stress I have going on in my life, and for the amount of time I am on the court, that is all I think about.
About you
Q: Coffee or matcha? Early bird or night owl?
Coffee in the morning. Matcha for lunch. Early bird for sure.
Q: What’s something you’re currently obsessed with (food, routine, hobby)?
I am obsessed with health and health of my family. I do acupuncture, red light therapy, hyperbaric chamber, cryotherapy, and workout regularly. I would like to increase my health span for as long as possible.
Q: What’s one thing people in WITS wouldn’t guess about you?
I don’t think I come off like I am until you get to know me, but I would consider myself a pretty funny person.
Your business
Q: Tell us a bit about your business: what inspired you to start it, when, and what do you do day-to-day?
I run a business called “Cheeky” with my business partner Rebecca. Cheeky is a Fun-Screen company and our first product is our Cheeky Active Patch. The patches are made to protect your skin from UV damage, while also keeping it hydrated and glowy. We actually started this company because we both love tennis and we love being active and outdoors. At the same time we also care about our skin. We tried so many patches and they would always fall off of our face within 10 minutes and on top of that, they were just so ugly. And that’s how we created Cheeky. We wanted a practical product but made fun.
WITS Perk:
Helen has kindly offered our community a special discount: use WITS30 at checkout.
Q: What’s been harder than you expected?
Every step has been harder and more rewarding then we expected. From creating the product to now marketing and selling. It’s been a real learning experience for the both of us. But we believe in what we have and we’re hoping to slowly communicate this to the public.
Q: How do you balance running a business with everything else?
Honestly I feel like balance is overrated lol. Once in a while I will feel like I got everything right. I made a connection with every child, I made dinner, and I’m caught up with work. But most days don’t work that way. Most days I’m feeling bad for at least 1 of my kids because I didn’t get enough time with them, or if their’s something at Cheeky I forgot to do, or I forgot which after school makeup class they were supposed to attend. Or someone is sick. There is always something, but honestly I love [it].
Q: What’s your vision for where it goes next?
Our vision is to keep creating new practical sun protection products but with a fun and creative spin.
And finally:
Q: Advice you’d give to a new player joining WITS
Enjoy, have so much fun, and join a team with people you genuinely get along with.
Q: One word to describe WITS
Wild!
Q: What does WITS mean to you
WITS is my escape from stress of my everyday life and for that it means the world to me.
A big thank you to Helen for being part of our spotlight series and for extending a special offer to the WITS community.
Through Cheeky World, Helen brings her passion for wellness and everyday feel-good essentials to life. You can shop the collection directly at www.cheeky.world, or find Cheeky World on Amazon, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Follow Helen at @ihelensu and Cheeky World at @cheeky_world. Explore the brand here: www.cheeky.world
And if you see her representing Glam Slammers on court, be sure to say hello!
