Alumni

Gina Tan

Career Path: Co-Founder, Naturali Singapore
Location: Singapore

After graduating with a diploma in Business Management, I explored a wide range of industries throughout my career, building my core strengths in administration, operations, advertising, and event management. This broad experience gave me a strong foundation in both strategic thinking and practical execution, which I now draw on every day as an entrepreneur.

What are you doing now?

I’m the Co-Founder of Naturali Singapore, a business dedicated to creating sustainable laundry and household cleaning products. Instead of liquid detergents in single-use plastic bottles, our products are ultra-concentrated sheets packed in recyclable paper boxes. They’re plant-based, hypoallergenic, scented with 100% essential oils, and designed to be better for people’s health, kinder to the planet, and easier to use. My goal is to change the way people think about everyday chores like laundry, showing that sustainability can be convenient, affordable, and effective.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

As a working adult, I needed a programme that fitted my schedule while challenging me academically. The eight-month final-year program at Northumbria stood out as the most practical and intensive option when I attended Kaplan’s open house, offering both flexibility and focus, and a potential to graduate with First Class Honours.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

Northumbria set clear expectations from day one - structured timetables, defined learning outcomes, and transparent assessment criteria. This clarity helped me balance work, study, and personal life while staying on track to achieve the results I wanted. The lecturers guided me patiently and share with me from their own experiences, which is current and relevant to what I am doing.

How connected was your course with industry?

The course content was consistently relevant to real-world industry needs. The assignments reflected current business challenges, and the teaching connected theory to practice, making it directly applicable to the workplace.

If you took on a placement during your course how did you feel this helped you in your career/ with your studies?

While my course didn’t include a formal placement, we completed a real-world project: developing a publicity plan for a not-for-profit charity supporting hoarders. This included concept development, promotional strategy, and budgeting; mirroring the work of a professional marketing agency. It was a valuable insight into industry expectations and workflows.

What was the best thing about your course?

The relevancy. Our lecturers weren’t just academics they were industry veterans with years of experience. They brought the subject matter to life with examples, insights, and practical advice, which made the learning engaging and immediately useful.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

With only a diploma, my career progression had limits. Studying at Northumbria changed that entirely. I graduated with First Class Honours, gained the confidence to lead in new areas, and it opened doors to opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. The degree didn’t just enhance my CV, it expanded my vision for what I could achieve.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

Applying concepts to real-world scenarios has been invaluable, especially in my role at Naturali. My dissertation on greenwashing gave me deep insight into ethical marketing, influencing how I design product packaging and communication to be truthful, transparent and impactful.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

The challenge. I loved the intellectual engagement with both lecturers and classmates, the stimulating discussions, and the sense of achievement from completing demanding assignments and achieving good results.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

If you’re serious about transforming your career, Northumbria is worth it. As an adult learner, time management will be your greatest ally but if you trust the process and your own abilities, you’ll come out stronger, more confident, and ready for bigger opportunities.