"Living with EB shaped my life, but not in the way you think." — Fiona Tan

I started Heartworks on the simple belief that everyone has value, regardless of their circumstances. I was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (Dowling-Meara type), a skin condition that makes walking or standing for long periods extremely painful. Mobility used to be a problem, but I've learnt that a wheelchair will take you the same places as anyone else if you have the right attitude and heart. Heartworks is an extension of my life story and philosophy that every person has the potential to make an impact when given the right opportunity.

Losing my full-time job during the pandemic, I felt powerless in a world focused on IT, coding and emerging technologies. I watched my finances slowly deplete. I couldn't even spend on petrol or splurge on a nice meal as I depended on others for financial support. I was constantly told my strengths as an office administrator were useless. I soon realised that if I wanted to survive, I would have to learn digital freelancing skills. After enrolling in a programme by MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), I started building my digital skills. I offered basic administrative services on a freelance basis. It was then that I discovered the concept of being a Virtual Assistant. Slowly, I grew my client base locally and internationally. In a few months, I hired my first Virtual Assistant — a single mother who later thanked me for giving her the chance to earn an income while caring for her son at home. Imagine how transformative that moment was for me — someone who once relied so much on others for support.

Imagine how many others are out there, confined to their homes due to illness, mobility issues, or caring for kids with disabilities. Imagine stay-at-home mums, single parents or people with disabilities who have a wealth of untapped skills and spare time to excel in creative or administrative tasks, if they were just given a chance. Heartworks exists to give them that life-changing chance.

Living with EB has shaped my life, but not in the way you think. I learned to face rejection, adapt to setbacks and stay positive against the odds. Enduring physical pain every day of my life sounds terrible, but it honed my ability to show up consistently and focus on what matters. We are not our circumstances. I am living proof of this — and so is every Virtual Assistant at Heartworks. We're a community shaped by resilience, gratitude and a can-do approach.

We know what it's like to be stretched thin and overwhelmed when running a business, and we meet those needs with Virtual Assistant support you can rely on. When you work with us, you're not just outsourcing tasks. You're creating meaningful opportunities for someone just as dedicated as you are to what matters.

I invite you to be part of this movement: experience our dedication, and in doing so, play a direct role in transforming lives.