Mangla Sachdev

What do you do for a living?

I co-founded Printsipal, a t-shirt and corporate gift and printing company with my business partner Miriam. We do T-shirts, hoodies, caps, swim bags, tote bags, mugs, umbrellas and a lot more. And I founded Expat Business In A Bag helping expats and digital nomads to monetise as they move, adding multiple streams of income into their business.  

How did your business come about?

Serving on the Parent Teacher Association at our children’s school, Miriam and I baked cookies and cupcakes, painted sets and backdrops, and ordered t-shirts for fundraising, events, and drama productions. We love volunteering and had many laughs during the years we were on the board. Fed up with poor customer service and facing varying quality each time we ordered, we decided to start our own venture! We registered the business, and seven days later, the world went into lockdown! Surprisingly, our story turned out to be a COVID start-up success, catching the attention of giants like Facebook Singapore, embassies, and international schools such as SAS, AIS, UWC, and SAIS. However, a realisation dawned on me: another move meant starting over once again, this time leaving behind a lucrative recurring income stream. This not only affected us but also all the other entrepreneurs we met here.

Undeterred, I then started 'Expat Business In A Bag.' My mantra? Spot the untapped niches, add multiple streams of income, and always have a slice of passive revenue so you’re earning while out at brunch, playing tennis, or on a flight. I help women build a worldwide audience, sharing networks and collaborations, and adding another revenue stream so when they’re on the move again, they’re still earning and not having to start from scratch each time.

What’s something interesting that you’ve been working on recently?

I am partnering with a friend and mentor in the UK to offer her incredible program – the very one that got me started. Together, we're helping women start their own businesses, refine their ideal client, messaging, and offers. With her running a 7-figure business, I am thrilled to join forces with her.  

What do you spend a silly amount of time on?

To-do lists!! It is my secret love. I will read anything and everything on productivity and being organised.  I’m a planning freak! 

What is the best restaurant you have eaten at this year?

Thanying, a Thai restaurant at Amara Hotel. My mom was also a third-culture kid, spending a few years in the American school in Bangkok. We grew up eating Thai food, and this place has an excellent vegetarian menu and is super authentic.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Too many to list.  Everyone I’ve come across has taught me something.  If you look for opportunities to learn from each experience and each interaction, you’ll always find them. 

What makes you happy | what makes you feel at peace?

Being around positive people, meditation, meeting new people, playing tennis with my friends, and enjoying this amazing adventure in Singapore.   

What is one of your favourite quotes?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou.

How can someone win a gold star with you?

Kind people are my kind of people. 

What is one thing that bothers you most about the world today?

Negative news will spread like wildfire and positive uplifting news rarely goes viral.  We’ve become a tabloid society.  We need to change that.  We need to spread the positivity, if someone did something kind, we need to shout about it!  

Why should women become a member of PrimeTime?

Primetime was the first networking group I joined with my business partner, Miriam, back in 2020! They were warm, welcoming, and so much fun that we decided to volunteer and host the coffee mornings. It’s been incredible meeting amazing women from around the world doing inspiring things! I highly recommend becoming a member! We're a super fun group, so you should definitely come to our coffee mornings!! ;)