In 2015, a whiteboard propped against a dining table in a Singaporean home marked the humble beginnings of an educational empire. Lily Chew, a then-29-year-old former Ministry of Education (MOE) teacher, taught her first 10 students with a vision that transcended her modest setup. Driven by a deep passion for teaching and a desire to build a flexible life for her growing family, she founded Lil' But Mighty, an English tuition centre that now boasts over 500 students across six centres, with the latest opening in Tampines in 2023. Now 39, Lily Chew—mother of four, entrepreneur, and educator—is redefining what it means to balance ambition with love.

A Teacher's Heart, A Mother's Drive

Lily's journey began in the classroom. Graduating with a 2nd Upper Honours Bachelor of Arts (Education) from the National Institute of Education and majoring in English, she spent five years teaching at an MOE primary school—an experience that shaped her teaching philosophy. She recalls how teaching students of diverse abilities and developing lessons built her confidence as an educator. "Reflecting on these experiences, particularly witnessing students struggle with grammar and insufficient scaffolding, solidified my vision for English learning as a structured process," she says. Those years taught her that learning should be engaging, accessible, and joyful, a philosophy that would go on to define Lil' But Mighty.

The birth of her first son, Paul, in 2014, was a turning point. Lily and her husband, Lenard, had long dreamed of building a business together, and Paul's arrival prompted them to take the leap. "I was fuelled by my desire to have the flexibility to spend time with my children and also the fact that there were certain ways I would have wanted to teach differently," she recalls. "Being able to have my own business and designing my own curriculum will be the only way to do so."

Armed with just a whiteboard and boundless determination, Lily began Lil' But Mighty from her dining table. The early days were daunting—she handled everything from answering inquiries to marking assignments. "When we just started, it was about getting into a whole new routine with new responsibilities," she recalls. Apart from physical classes and curriculum design, Lily also ran an online community to share resources with parents. "I was unfamiliar with the business and operations sides of things, which made starting the centre alone particularly challenging," she says.

Having to balance work and home life posed another challenge. "I needed to make sure I still had time with my baby...it felt rather overwhelming at the start," she said. Still, she persevered, working late nights when Paul slept. By 2016, as demand grew, Lily and Lenard opened their first centre. Paul, now a toddler, had begun knocking on the door during lessons, signaling the need to separate home and work. Lenard, a former auditor, left his job to join her full-time, taking on operational responsibilities that allowed Lily to focus on teaching. From one centre, Lil' But Mighty expanded to six, a testament to their shared vision and the trust parents placed in their innovative approach.

Less Rules, More Wonder: Redefining English Education

At the core of Lil' But Mighty is an innovative curriculum that addresses gaps Lily observed in traditional English education. She noted that English lessons often felt dry and disconnected from students' imaginative worlds. To counter this, she introduced engaging themes and aesthetically pleasing materials to spark excitement. "We put in interesting themes for authentic discussion and as an outlet for their thoughts to be heard," she explained. "We...want our materials to be aesthetically pleasing to excite the children once they see what they are learning that week." Her approach emphasizes authentic discussion, allowing students to express their thoughts and connect with the material.

Lily also sought to move beyond rote memorization, which she found led to poor understanding. "I found that simply telling students the rules of grammar or vocabulary, and expecting them to memorise them, leads to poor understanding and retention," she explains. Instead, her curriculum uses fun acronyms and interactive activities to break down complex concepts into manageable chunks. For example, rather than memorizing sensory phrases for writing, students engage in activities that make the concepts tangible, fostering deeper comprehension through experience.

Most importantly, she wanted English to feel relevant. "I wanted to bridge the gap between abstract English concepts and the real world," she says. "Many students struggle to see the relevance of English in their daily lives—Lil' but Mighty aims to change that by connecting learning to everyday experiences, stories, and current events." By linking lessons to everyday experiences, stories, and current events, she helps students see English as a tool for communication and expression, not just a subject for exams.

Her "Learn, Share, Replay" methodology, inspired by her experience with MOE, is a cornerstone. She observed how students gained confidence by sharing their learning, leading to a peer-teaching approach where students become "Junior Teachers," explaining concepts to peers. "This insight led to the development of accessible, bite-sized strategies and techniques, ensuring every child can succeed," she notes. The "Share" portion is recorded and sent to parents, offering a glimpse into their child's progress.

Classroom Without Walls: Bridging Gaps with Digital Tools

Lily's embrace of technology enhances this approach. She is particularly proud of how technology integrates with the "Learn, Share, Replay" segment, creating a dynamic learning ecosystem. "This is not just about using gadgets; it is about creating a dynamic learning ecosystem," she explains. Students access materials on online platforms, fostering independence, while recordings of peer-teaching sessions connect parents to the classroom. "Parents are not just hearing about their child's progress; they are witnessing it firsthand," she explains. "They see their child articulating concepts, demonstrating understanding, and building confidence in a teaching role."

The impact is significant: an increase in parental engagement allow parents to feel more connected to their child's classroom experience, while students are motivated to take ownership of their learning. The act of recording and watching themselves teach also helps students solidify their understanding and identify areas for improvement. The videos also facilitate direct communication between teachers and parents, making progress updates authentic and immediate. By leveraging technology, Lily transforms peer teaching into a shared experience that extends beyond the classroom, strengthening the bond between students, parents, and educators.

Love, Compromise, and a Shared Vision

Running Lil' But Mighty with Lenard, her husband and former junior college classmate, is a cornerstone of Lily's journey. Their partnership thrives on a shared mission and mutual support. "For us, the greatest reward of working together lies in our shared mission and the comfort of knowing we'll always support each other," she says. Their closeness is a strength: "We often get the question of whether we see each other 24/7 every day and the truth is, we do and I love it!" she shares. "In fact, there is a high chance that when you call either of us, the other will be at the same location or nearby. Every couple has their own dynamics and I guess we are fortunate that we enjoy being together, so this is a plus point of working together as a couple."

Navigating disagreements requires compromise and humility. "As a couple, I would say it is a mutual willingness to compromise and not to be prideful," Lily says. Their commitment to each other and the business drives them to prioritize what's best, recognizing that their relationship is paramount. They set boundaries to preserve family time, avoiding work discussions during family dinners or bedtime. "We learnt to agree on times when we will not talk about work, [for example] when putting the kids to bed or during family dinners," she says. "If one of us starts talking about work, the other person may remind us that we can continue the conversation later." These boundaries, along with shared moments like running or coffee dates, keep their partnership strong.

Boys and Business: Navigating Mompreneurship

As a mother of four boys—Paul (10), Peter (8), John (6), and James (1)—Lily's days are packed to the brim. Lily's day typically begins at 6:20 a.m., preparing breakfast for her older boys and walking them to school before spending some time reading and snuggling with James before playgroup. Work follows, whether at a centre, in meetings, or recording radio segments. Balancing it all requires support: "I juggle my responsibilities with a lot of help from my family and a great team at work!" she says. Flexibility is key—during assessment periods, she works from home to guide her children's revision; otherwise, she and Lenard might work from a coffee shop. Evenings are reserved for family, helping with homework or reading bedtime stories.

Balancing motherhood and business isn't easy. Lily admits to feeling overwhelmed at times, but her support system—Lenard, grandparents, and her team—makes it possible. Her faith provides strength. "Faith is the cornerstone of how we navigate both entrepreneurship and parenthood," she says. "When faced with uncertainty, my husband and I turn to prayer, trusting that God's plan is ultimately in control."

Bringing the Classroom Home: A Learning Community Unfolds

Lily's passion extends online through the Lil' But Mighty blog and website, driven by a desire to build a community. "Community building has always been the driving force behind Lil' but Mighty since we began almost 10 years ago," she says. "We understand that not every student or parent may be able to come to an LBM classroom and so, we wanted to bring LBM to them." Feedback has been heartwarming—parents and students have shared how the tips boosted their confidence. One story stands out: a parent discovered her daughter independently printing blog posts for revision, a testament to the content's engagement. "What truly moved me was that her daughter was not just passively consuming the content; she was actively engaged, excitedly printing out the posts for revision," Lily recalls.

Overcoming Challenges, Building Resilience

The toughest challenge came during the pivot to online classes during the circuit breaker. "Overnight, our established in-person learning model had to be completely reimagined, requiring us to rapidly adapt our curriculum, teaching methodologies, and even the way we connected with our students," she recalls. Balancing team and family needs added strain, but the experience strengthened Lil' But Mighty. "It forced us to cultivate a deep sense of resilience, proving that we could adapt and thrive even in the face of unforeseen adversity," she says.

A dedicated student's journey captures why she perseveres. Despite struggling to stay awake during a late-evening class, his genuine love and enthusiasm for learning shone through. Lily adapted, keeping him engaged with jokes and shared coffee candies. "Witnessing his consistent effort culminate in him achieving his desired exam score was incredibly rewarding, a testament to his hard work and our supportive environment," she says. His post-graduation gift of a coffee candy "symbolized his perseverance, fuelled by his inherent love for learning, the genuine relationship we had built within the classroom, and the shared triumph of reaching his goal."

Planting Seeds: Lil' But Mighty's Next Chapter

Lily and Lenard involve their sons in Lil' But Mighty to instill values. "Leaving a legacy for our children is not just about building a successful business; it's about instilling values and showing them the tangible impact of hard work and passion," she says. "Running errands with us to the centres—whether it is meeting parents, observing renovation works, or helping with small but essential tasks like sorting worksheets—provides them with a behind-the-scenes look at the various facets of the business and the community it serves."

Looking ahead, Lily envisions Lil' But Mighty emerging as a regional leader in English education. "Ultimately, our vision is to remain student-centred. Success for us means every child walking away from Lil' but Mighty more confident, more capable, and more in love with learning English."

For aspiring mompreneurs, her advice is clear: "Embrace the power of interdependence. Don't fall into the trap of believing you need to do it all, all the time. Be open to receiving help—whether it is from your partner, family, friends, or even paid support." Faith anchors her journey: "Faith is the cornerstone of how we navigate both entrepreneurship and parenthood. When faced with uncertainty, my husband and I turn to prayer, trusting that God's plan is ultimately in control." Reflecting on her early days, she says, "God's grace is always enough. He's got us."