Robb Report Malaysia celebrates five leading Malaysian ladies who are recasting the world in their vision, driving the agenda in altruism and the professional spheres with verve, determination and hard-earned wisdom. We are honouring them as trailblazers and continuing the series here is Acquivest International Properties and Daily Suites Berhad CEO Datuk Lynnette Seet.
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As the CEO of Acquivest International Properties and Daily Suites Berhad, Datuk Lynnette Seet has the inside track of Malaysia’s property market. With Daily Suites, she has streamed out to hospitality. Her vision of chic apartment hotels that considers the needs and wants of road warriors who travel regularly, has taken off with properties in Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya, and Kota Kinabalu.
Seet, who trained as a chartered accountant, recalls how her involvement began in what some might view as a male-dominated arena. “When I was 18 or 19 my dad would often ask me to meet his property agents to show his properties. My dad was banker. He was also an avid property investor and often encourages us to invest in properties,” she says.
When asked to distil her undeniable expertise in the field, she says: “it is not about talent but knowing where the hot property locations are and [learning how to] study market demands and needs.”
She adds that the most crucial factor is also to identify the market mix; for instance, income group and market segment. “You can never go wrong if you focus on areas that has high rental demand and the property appreciation will follow,” she adds.
Her views on what’s next for the country’s property sector? “Commercial properties such as shop lots or retail units will definitely feel the pinch. We are moving into the era of online trading and online market place,” she says. She adds that the direct impact would be on business owners as the younger generation is taking their businesses online rather than renting physical shops.
With her astute handle on the businesses she run, it’s surprising that Seet takes a philosophical approach when it comes to managing crises that inevitably arise. “There is always a certain period in a particular year that isn’t ideal. I am pretty resilient to stressful environments and [am used to] solving problems. I think often people focus too much on the problems than solving them,” she says.
She admits that she has had “pretty bad times and good times” and is “adamant in making things work.” For her, determination and inventiveness are a powerful combination. When things don’t go the way she planned, Seet “will always find another way to work around it rather than give up”.
On Lynnette Seet: Y’s Yohji Yamamoto detachable zippered jacket, own shirt and pants, Louis Vuitton loafers, Bulgari B.zero1Rock four-band and two-band ring in 18k rose gold and B.zero1 necklace with 18k rose gold chain and round pendant.
Hairstyling: Keith Ong/ Keith Hair Styling
Makeup: Deirdre Chong
Stylist: Cho Wee Chee
Photography: Micky Wong
