Motherhood is a journey full of ups and downs. From the moment we first hold our little ones in our arms, our lives are changed forever. We want nothing more than to give our children the world, to make them happy, and to see them thrive. This Mother’s Day, I want to share the inspiring story of Lilian Chan, a mother who has created a magical world for her children (and yours).
Lilian Chan is the co-founder of NEXTGEN Theme Park, Malaysia’s largest family edutainment theme park, located in the heart of 1 Utama. It’s a place where children can learn while having fun, and where parents can enjoy quality time with their little ones. But how did Lilian come up with the idea for this incredible theme park?
Next-Gen Family Edutainment Theme Park is a 45,000 sqft integrated indoor edutainment play space that features a Kid’s Playground and Play City. Inside the huge space, kids get to explore a bakery, a fire station, a police station and a supermarket. That’s not all; a fun mini sky playground with rainbow slides and colour balls, as well as a Ninja Challenge Arena with obstacle courses awaiting them too! Besides that, the theme park also has a 166 sqmt Trampoline Zone, Bubble Bang, Futsal, Rock Climbing, Arcade Zone, Enrichment Hub, Karaoke, Gaming Zone, Party Room and a Cafe too!
As a mother of three children (aged 14, 10 and 4 years old), Lilian was always looking for ways to keep them entertained and engaged. She wanted to create a space where her children could learn and explore, but also have fun. She saw a gap in the market for a family-friendly edutainment theme park, and decided to take matters into her own hands.
“It was hard to gather and find a place that meets all our needs- with my mum who lives with us and kids of all different ages, we couldn’t enjoy time with each other at the same time and the same place. So my husband and I thought about creating a place where all of us could get together- sort of like a family-social hub where every single family member could have a happy memory there- that’s where we decided to make NEXTGEN,’ says Lilian
Lilian’s vision for NEXTGEN Theme Park was simple: to create a world where children could learn and have fun at the same time. She wanted to incorporate educational elements into every aspect of the theme park, from the attractions to the food. And she wanted to make it accessible to families from all walks of life.
But just like with every business, building NEXTGEN has its own challenges. Nonetheless, Lilian was determined to make her dream a reality. She worked tirelessly to bring NEXTGEN to life, pouring her heart and soul into every detail. And the result is truly magical.
“NEXTGEN is the biggest edutainment theme park in Malaysia – the place is 45,000 sqft, so the design and build of the theme park was not easy, even more so during MCO (Movement Control Order). We found it challenging to import the equipment since borders were constantly closed,” says Lilian.
NEXTGEN is a wonderland of adventure and learning. It is home to a variety of enriching, family-friendly attractions, including infant play areas, obstacle courses, a sky-themed playground with rainbow slides, e-gaming zones, and even a karaoke centre and dance floor!
Lilian believes that children learn best through play, and she has designed NEXTGEN to be a place where learning and fun go hand in hand.
What sets NEXTGEN apart from other theme parks is its focus on edutainment. Lilian believes that children learn best through play, and she has designed NEXTGEN to be a place where learning and fun go hand in hand. Parents can rest easy knowing that their children are not only having a great time, but also learning valuable skills that will help them in the future.
“I believe that learning through play gets through to kids more. For example, if I’m very strict and teach my child something very direct, then they don’t learn or remember much as compared to when I try making the lesson fun or entertaining, “ she says.
Power mum Lilian Chan with her husband & co-founder, Leroy Lee
These days, it seems that more husband-and-wife duos are emerging in the world of business, so I was curious to know about Lilian’s relationship with her husband, Leeroy (also a co-founder of NEXTGEN Theme Park) and how they manage the business and the household together. I was surprised to learn that Lilian and her husband hardly have any misunderstandings or resentment towards each other. Instead, they have a deep understanding and respect, having known each other since they were 13 years old!
“We are very blessed because we decided to incorporate our business and passion with our lifestyle. So when we talk about business, it’s more like – how do we make our kids happy? We hardly have any difficulty in communicating with each other because we have a strong understanding for each other’s jobscope, so when it comes to numbers and strategy I leave it up to him, and when it comes to choosing colours and design that’s on me. We respect and trust each other deeply.”
When asked about what she looks forward to, Lilian jokingly says that she looks forward to losing weight. She also looks forward to the next step in her business. Besides expanding with two new outlets, which are in Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru and KSL Mall, Klang, Lilian also is looking into creating a Life Camp – where kids get to experience what it’s like to be in different roles, how it’s like in different occupations, an idea that came about when her eldest son starting asking what he should study in the future. With the Life Camp, they’ll be able to find out who they want to be and have the experience to pick what they want to learn when they move into the world of university – so we’re definitely looking forward to that!
NEXTGEN is set to expand further in the Klang Valley and the southern region of Malaysia in the second quarter of the year, with two new outlets in Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru and KSL Mall, Klang.
Once a personal passion project, NEXTGEN has since become the largest family edutainment theme park in Malaysia, a testament to families all over the country sharing Lilian’s unwavering love and dedication to her children. As she looks to the future, she knows the potential for edutainment is immeasurable, and that it has the power to transform the way every child can learn and grow.
Entrepreneurship Advice For Mummies from Lilian Chan
#1 Set Your Priorities Right
Our life is like a wheel with different sections. The key is to balance each section or category such as health, career, money, personal growth and so on. For example, when I had my first child, I was focusing a lot on the baby and may not have focused on my husband at the time. I was also not taking care of myself and started gaining weight. So it’s all about balance.
#2 Keep Learning
It’s important for women to keep learning. Learning from your spouse, from your kids, from your colleagues. Once you keep learning it will help build you as a confident woman. Like when it comes to technology, your kids might know more about new apps and tech than you do – so learn from them.
#3 Do Something That Incorporates Your Passion With Your Lifestyle
When you are passionate about something, it won’t feel like a chore and you’ll give all your energy and strength towards it.
