Meet Judy Lux, a trailblazing entrepreneur and co-founder of Clincase, a Berlin-based software company that provides a revolutionary platform for clinical trial management. Born and raised in Singapore, Judy's journey to success has been filled with challenges, from adapting to a new culture to overcoming gender biases in the male-dominated tech industry.
But through it all, Judy has persevered, finding a way to balance her roles as a mother and business leader while prioritizing her passion for medical research. Join us as we dive into Judy's inspiring story of determination, innovation, and the pursuit of work-life balance.
A serendipitous start to co-founding
Judy’s entrepreneurial spirit was something she always had, but starting a company together with her then-boyfriend, now-husband whom she met in Singapore was not something she had planned. It was a natural progression that developed over time. Back then Henning had an existing software company for medical research in Singapore, and after the partnership ended, he moved back to Europe to start afresh. He asked Judy if she wanted to help him and she thought, ‘Why not?’
Her inability to sit still and her drive to do something different led her to pick up tasks to build Clincase. Judy was able to contribute to the company’s success by channelling her years of expertise in business development, customer-facing initiatives, and understanding the needs of the customer.
Judy setting up Clincase's first office
She may not have been able to build the product herself, but she had the ability to influence and provide valuable suggestions for its direction. Judy's motto was "Come what may is better than planned," meaning that she was always ready to adapt and change course if needed, which proved to be an important attitude to have as a startup founder.
“It’s a family thing now, I can never get out,” she laughs.
Adjusting to a new home: From Singapore to Berlin
When Judy first arrived in Berlin in 2004, she was faced with the daunting task of adjusting to a new culture and language. She didn't speak German, and the city was not the cosmopolitan hub that it is today. However, she quickly realized that comparing Germany to Singapore was not a helpful approach. Instead, she learned to appreciate the differences between the two places.
“Despite my successes in Singapore, I knew that I had to start from scratch in Berlin. No one knew me here, and I had to humble myself and learn everything anew,” she said.
Bicycles: Different means of transport compared to Singapore
Judy's first step towards integrating into Berlin's business environment 20 years ago was learning German. For five years, she dedicated herself to mastering the language, familiarizing herself with the regulations, and learning how to navigate the city. Although this was a challenging process, it was also incredibly rewarding.
She did encounter some obstacles despite her efforts to integrate. As a foreigner and a woman in a male-dominated environment, people treated her differently. “When I spoke German, it was clear that I wasn’t on the same level as native speakers,” she recalled. “However, I didn’t let that hold me back. I knew what I was talking about, and I spoke with a firm, confident tone and people took me more seriously.”
From an interesting theory to a thriving business
Years ago, she went out for lunch with a friend and ex-colleague who’s a Professor from Beijing, and they were chatting about life and future plans. The professor said, “You know what, Judy? Humans need two things: food and drugs. If you have a business that’s related to either food or drugs, you could have a very good business that will succeed.”
At that time, Judy thought it was an interesting theory and didn’t take it seriously. But when Henning asked if she wanted to start a business together, she remembered what her friend said. Clincase is a clinical research software company that helps pharmaceutical companies test new drugs. Coincidence, I think not!
Finding work-life balance as a Founder
In today’s fast-paced world, work-life balance has become a buzzword that many people strive to achieve. But for founders like Judy, balancing work and family life can be a challenge as their business demands most of their time and energy. However, it isn’t impossible to achieve a healthy work-life balance, even as a founder.
“To achieve balance, I plan my family life around my business. I identify important family events, such as birthdays, and anniversaries, and my children’s activities that require parents’ involvement, such as tournaments. I then plan ahead in my calendar to ensure I’m there for them.”
Judy also makes sure to set aside some time during the day to spend with her family. She establishes a routine of preparing dinner for the family and having dinner with them together chatting about their day. By doing so, her children understand that this time is reserved exclusively for them, and that creates a healthy balance between her business and family.
The challenges of being a woman founder and a new mother
Being a founder of a company is already a tough job, but being a new mother at the same time presents a whole new set of challenges for women entrepreneurs. Once a woman gives birth, she goes on maternity leave, leaving her out of the daily operations of the company for a few months. If the pregnancy went smoothly, it’s possible to still function and work during that time. However, after giving birth, the mental and physical strain can be overwhelming making it difficult to balance work and motherhood.
Clincase at Exhibitions
“It was a difficult decision, but I knew I had to make it clear if I wanted to shut myself down on the business and focus on my newborn. The consequence of that decision was that the company wouldn’t make any progress. While I could find someone to take over during my absence, I had already established myself as a leader in the company and someone that everyone looked up to.”
Judy faced one of the toughest moments of her career when she had her second child. Clincase was growing rapidly, and they were handling more clients and projects than ever before, but also facing resource problems. She considered shutting it down for two years, just like she did when she had her elder son. However, she knew that the impact would be much stronger this time around, and the thought of losing the progress they had made was daunting. So she made the difficult decision to go back to work with her baby daughter by her side.
“It wasn’t easy, but I found ways to make it work, even creating a cosy corner for her in the office. I have many pictures of her on the conference room table - our youngest ever team member!” she jokes.
Despite the challenges, Judy and her daughter still have a strong bond and spend a lot of time together. As a woman, she understands that giving birth is a natural part of life, but it's about finding the right balance between motherhood and business. While her husband can take over some responsibilities, Judy knows that the bond between a mother and child is invaluable, and she's determined to continue growing her business while also being present for her family.
Prioritising self-care as an Entrepreneur
As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and forget to take care of yourself. But for Judy, family time and me-time are top priorities. Every summer, she takes a month-long break to go back to Singapore to unwind and rejuvenate and come back to work with a fresh perspective. She encourages her staff to take their vacations during the summer when things are slower and to find their own ways to prioritise self-care.
Celebrating Diwali with the team to encourage a multicultural working environment
Judy also makes sure to carve out time for herself to indulge in her favourite hobby: watching K-dramas. While it can be tempting to work long hours and put business needs first, this founder knows that taking care of herself is essential to being an effective leader. “If you don’t take care of yourself first, how do you expect to take care of others?”
That’s why she makes a conscious effort to define her own me-time no matter how busy her schedule might be. She knows that by prioritizing self-care, she can come back to work feeling recharged and ready to tackle new challenges.
Supporting young Singaporeans in the Singapore Student Association Germany (SSAG) career events. Judy is pictured with Mr Laurence Bay, Ambassador of Singapore to Germany.
As Judy continues to grow Clincase, she remains focused on her goal of improving clinical trial management and making healthcare more accessible to people around the world. Her journey as an entrepreneur and mother has not been without challenges, but her determination and passion have allowed her to overcome them and thrive in both aspects of her life.
Looking back on her own experiences, she encourages other women to pursue their dreams and strive for success in male-dominated industries. With her inspiring story, Judy serves as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a strong sense of purpose.
Learn more about Clincase by visiting their website and LinkedIn page; alternatively, feel free to reach out to Judy and her team via email for support in all your clinical trial needs!
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