During the pandemic, Heaster Andrea Hilary began curating gifts for a close friend who was battling cancer.
That small act of care grew into MessengerCo, a global corporate gifting platform helping companies send meaningful gifts across multiple countries — from product selection and customization to logistics and delivery.
Before starting MessengerCo, Heaster built her career in finance and corporate development at Deloitte, Star Media Group, and ShopBack, gaining insight into how organizations operate and scale.
Her entrepreneurial instincts showed up even earlier. While studying at the University of Malaya, she built and later sold a six-figure student housing subletting business designed to help East Malaysian students find accommodation.
MessengerCo itself started with just RM1,000 and a small team working out of a living room — proving that a simple idea, grounded in human connection, can scale globally.
🌻 How do you set your vibe for the day?
Morning coffee to start the day, then I go straight into work mode. I like a late lunch or early dinner to slow the pace down. I work out 2-3 times a week to sleep well. Most days are quiet and routine-based.
But sometimes, I hang out with close friends, have a drink, and just enjoy being present and make a little chaos.
🛋️ How do you relax?
Long thinking walks. Conversations with my close friends and do some Muay Thai.
💼 How would you describe your work to someone outside of your field?
We help companies express appreciation through corporate gifts and merchandise that feel thoughtful, intentional, and joyful.
📈 Why did you choose to scale without adding headcount, when most founders do the opposite?
Because inefficiency compounds faster than revenue. I believe in building architecture before adding weight. If the system is weak, more people just amplify chaos. Scale should come from leverage, not headcount.
🌸 What does radical kindness look like when leading a team under pressure? And why is that important?
Radical kindness is a standard I set for myself. The line is often thin, but it helps me design the kind of human and leader I want to be. It means allowing people to experiment, take risks, and learn without fear while still holding clear expectations and standards.
Kindness is not weakness. It includes honest, private feedback and clarity about rewards and consequences.
At MessengerCo, our pillars are Inspiration, Innovation, and Impact. We are always pushing our standards higher in our tech, systems, people, products, and quality of service. That level of growth is only possible when people feel safe to try.
Radical kindness allows us to raise standards without losing our humanity.
🤝 Do you enjoy networking?
Yes, selectively. One funny thing I’ve noticed is that I’m often drawn to people who love yellow, or whose businesses use yellow as their brand color. I’m proud to say two of my closest friends today are successful founders and both of their companies use yellow. Gooo Yellow!
🌐 Best encounter at a networking event?
I was supplying gifts for a bowling event. It was just another job at that time.
But that moment led to a friendship and that friendship slowly opened the door to the circle I now call my closest friends. They’ve since become one of my strongest support systems.
💖 What's your favourite thing about Mole?
Melly, of course. Perhaps it is also because yellow is her color, which naturally resonates with me. Despite everything she has gone through, Melly remains grounded in her energy and has not allowed the world to harden her or take away her softness.
Beyond that, I truly admire the community and support system she has built around the company. It reflects a strong sense of belonging, especially in the way she uplifts and supports other business owners.
🎧 What are you listening to now?
😆
🍧 Favourite snack or dessert?
Taiwan potato ball. Giant yogurt mochi balls. Pistachio bomboloni from Sugar & I. And honestly… there’s always more.
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Building a company requires two very different instincts: understanding what people need, and building systems that can deliver it consistently. Heaster’s journey reflects both.
Her background in finance and corporate strategy shaped the operational discipline behind MessengerCo, while the product itself centers on something simple — helping businesses show appreciation in a meaningful way.
Strong companies don’t just move products. They strengthen relationships.
Who should network with Heaster:
- Building in AI, SaaS, or B2B platforms
- A startup founder navigating early-stage growth
- Exploring global logistics, merchandise, or corporate gifting
And if you believe business relationships should feel human — not transactional — that’s probably a conversation worth having.
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