Freelance travel writer and photographer
Happee Monkee
www.mabletan.com
www.happeemonkee.etsy.com

What is your professional or training background?
I studied advertising & communications in university but ended up as a magazine journalist; and now I'm a freelance writer and photographer.

What do you make, create or do?
I take travel photographs; and occasionally of food and still life fine art photographs. I also have a food blog (www.mabletan.com) and whenever I am inspired to, I'll whip something up and blog about it.

What other creative areas would you like to explore as a side-project to your current work, or move into full-time?
I would really love to write a cookbook especially for teens and young adults. There's too much unhealthy temptations around us and too little appreciation for home cook meals. Learning to cook is such an essential skill and impressive one at that! I want to title it, 'Why Have Junk, When You Can Have Beef Bourguignon?'

What skills do you have that help you run your business, or what skills would you like to develop?
Photoshop as a photographer is invaluable, I've also learned that building relationships with people is the key to a sustainable business. I realized that for a business to grow, I have to constantly seek new ways to get me/ my brand/ the business noticed which can be a challenge as I'm a closet introvert. No doubt, one of the best skill I've developed is self-confidence.

List five people, businesses or websites/blogs that keep you motivated and inspired, and why?
1. Tara Gentile (www.taragentile.com) because she's dedicated to teaching people (especially artists) that we can be rich doing what we love.