On today's episode of Hangout with Sujata, Sujata is joined by Rain Khoo who shares the inspiration behind the list of songs included in the episode. Dignité Brands is founded by Rain Khoo. With 20 years of experience in branding, design and consumer goods space, Rain was the youngest Design Director at P&G Asia. He went on to create two consumer goods start-ups and led product development at Rainforest, a leading Amazon eCommerce aggregator. He has worked across APAC, China, US and European markets in the areas of Home Goods, Babycare, Consumer Healthcare & Functional Foods.
Rain is a seasoned design thinking practitioner and pulls out “aha” moments of consumer insights, merging them with business model creation and product innovation for new revenue streams. He has created and led e-Commerce businesses. His work has received corporate and trade awards recognition – the launch of Mothercare eCommerce in 3 countries was recognised as best launch amongst all franchisee territories.
Rain now works on brands and businesses for social impact, and was a co-founder of transgendersg.com, Singapore’s resource site for the transgender community. He is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultant. In his appointments, he has managed diversity as part of corporate culture and delivered superior business performance as a result. He has written on inclusion for the Birthday Book, Q Chamber and curated content for the Associated Press, SCMP and Rice Media. Rain serves as a founding core team member of the P&G Alumni in Singapore, a non-profit organisation. In this interview, the songs can be enjoyed by following the links in the sequence provided below:
1. Contemporary Classical: Rain Khoo and Prem Vadiveloo performing Rain Khoo’s Vietnam
(1980-2014)
- My relationship with music
- Music Reflections: rooted in structure while experimenting on acceptable edges
- talk about migrant family, growing up interests, gender identity awareness and career background up to 34 YO. 5 min snapshot.
2. No Genre: Jeff Buckley’s Rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q
(2014-2019)
- Music Reflections: shifting perspectives of spirituality, unchartered waters
- Reasons for leaving Procter
- Coming out, transition, evolution, hiding under the radar
- Family – kids + parents, church, community changes
- Work
3. Jazz Bebop: Mile Davis’ Rendition of Rodgers & Hart’s I Could Write a Book
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaDZJdQV60g
(2020-2021)
- Music Reflections: improvisation, free-fall, pushing forward, musical reincarnations
- COVID years
- Constant change and breaking points, loss of confidence
4. Eydis Evensen: No Title
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhY7mVCIU6Q
(2022)
- Music Reflections: tiny desks concerts, Icelandic music
- Healing, rebirth and reconstruction
- Sharing of how to heal yourself
5. Japanese Jazz-Fusion ElectroTango: Dance by Jizue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDgInMDzR4
(2023- )
- Music Reflections: reviewing and combining experience, planning
- Rethinking my purpose and work
