In this TopSHE Q&A feature, Mo Seetubtim opens up about carving her own path in the entrepreneurial world, reimagining personal growth, and embracing the power of reinvention.
If there’s anyone who personifies vision, resilience, and vivacity, it’s Mo Seetubtim – founder and CEO of The Happiness Planner. But her journey to success wasn’t always smooth. What began as a heartfelt blog amidst personal challenges blossomed into a motivational stationary brand empowering others to find happiness from within. Along the way, she’s been featured in publications such as The New York Times and Vogue (among many others too numerous to list). From designing transformative planners to delivering TED Talks and penning her recent memoir, Passports & Promises: 16 Years of Travel, Self-Love, and Building a Global Brand, Mo’s story is the ultimate masterclass in living with purpose.
Mo’s story begins in bustling Bangkok, Thailand, where her journey to self-discovery truly took flight. After moving to Australia to pursue her degree in business marketing, she faced challenges that would deter even the most determined. Confronted with limited job opportunities and the relentless pressure to conform, Mo decided to take an uncharted path. Instead of settling, she turned inward, diving into personal development which then sparked her interest in human behavior. Through these efforts, she uncovered her passion: guiding others to break free from societal expectations and take control of their own destinies.
Her original blog wasn’t just another corner of the internet – it became a launchpad for a thriving e-commerce powerhouse. Nearly after a decade, Mo has created products that are both empowering and transformative by blending personal development with practical tools for happiness. From integrating NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) techniques into her planners to sharing the lessons she’s learned from her jet-setting adventures, Mo redefines what it means to be a trailblazing entrepreneur.
But The Happiness Planner isn’t the end of her story; it’s merely the beginning. Mo’s journey is one of introspection, resilience, and innovation. Her compelling narrative of overcoming challenges and embracing change has struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Whether mentoring students at universities, collaborating with global brands, or encouraging her followers to “pause, reflect, and reset,” Mo’s energy is nothing short of magnetic.
So, what’s her secret? How did Mo turn her vision into a global brand? Keep reading as she shares her fearless approach to entrepreneurship, her strategies for growth, and the inspiration behind her extraordinary journey.
Q1. From blogging beginnings to leading an international brand, what pivotal moment sparked the creation of The Happiness Planner?
Answer: “At one point, my blog started gaining significant readership. I decided to ask my readers, "If I could write about one thing that makes your day, what should it be?" A lot of people replied, saying they wanted to learn how to be more positive and happier. That’s when I realized people needed a practical tool to cultivate positive thinking. Inspired by this, I designed the first version of The Happiness Planner and launched it.”
Q2. What steps helped you transform The Happiness Planner into a thriving international business?
Answer: “I’ve always had an international mindset, where I don’t define myself by one nationality or region – I see the world as my playground. With that approach, I planned from the beginning to build The Happiness Planner into a global brand.
I started in the U.S. because my blog followers were primarily based there (due to my writing on The Huffington Post and other U.S.-based platforms). A pivotal moment came when UK-based Benefit Cosmetics reached out, asking to include our Pink Planners in PR packages sent to top UK beauty bloggers. I didn’t hesitate to say yes. That collaboration helped us gain recognition in the UK and it was also the moment I knew we were going to become well-known in this region. We’ve kept building from there ever since.”
Q3. What strategies have been most effective in expanding your revenue engine and diversifying your income streams?
Answer: “Listening to our customers has been key. They’ll always tell you what they want—if you ask. From there, it’s about delivering what the customer wants and needs.
Being open to change and remaining adaptable is also crucial. The world moves fast, and to keep up, you need to evolve and embrace new trends. I’d say that these are the most effective strategies in expanding your product line or income streams.”
Q4. What challenges have you faced in scaling a global e-commerce brand, and how have you navigated them?
Answer: “Expanding into other countries isn’t easy. It involves navigating complex international logistics, from shipping and warehousing to tax compliance. We faced challenges shipping products from our manufacturer to warehouses in different countries, which required registering our business to trade and as well as paying VAT in each of those countries. Additionally, we had to manage storage fees, which became particularly overwhelming during COVID when revenues dropped significantly due to the closure of major retail stores that were some of our biggest clients.”
Q5. The planner industry is crowded. How has The Happiness Planner stayed ahead of the curve and driven innovation?
Answer: “I’ve always asked myself, “How do we stay different?” and “What’s our unique value proposition?” I realized that our planners and journals have the deepest content in the market, and I wanted us to specialize in that. It’s hard to stay afloat when there are many newcomers entering the space, but staying true to your niche and grounded in your values makes all the difference. I think your loyal fan base will stick with you and support you no matter what. You can’t be everything to everyone. You just have to pick a niche and strive to be the best at it.”
Q6. Your brand has fulfilled a string of partnerships and diverse product formats. Which has been your most successful collaboration or pivot, and what made it stand out?
Answer: “During COVID, we created many custom versions of our planners for companies and other well-known brands. I’d say my favorite collaboration was with Netflix. Everyone knows Netflix, so it was a big deal to create custom journals for them. Other than this, I loved the custom journals we designed for hospitals during COVID. These were given to physicians, nurses, and patients during such challenging times, and I’m proud we could contribute in a meaningful way.”
Q7. Your memoir, Passports & Promises, offers deeply personal and quirky insights into your 16-year journey. What inspired you to write it, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
Answer: “I’ve always felt that my life story was fun, unique, and adventurous. Even my close friends agreed, often encouraging me to share my experiences – my life lessons, travel adventures, encounters with love, and the insights I’ve gained along the way. One day, I mentioned to a guy I was seeing that I’d love to write a book about my life, and he said, “I think you’d be amazing at that.” Somehow, his encouragement sparked something in me, and I decided to give it a go.
It also happened to be a time when sales from the e-commerce store were down, so I took advantage of the free time and quiet period to start writing. Once I began, I couldn’t stop. It was as though I knew that if I paused, I might not finish. So, I made it a daily habit to write one to three chapters. In about three months of near full-time effort, I completed the book – 98,000 words!
I hope the book inspires readers to live their lives boldly, curiously, and with open minds. Opportunities and amazing connections are everywhere if you remain open to them. Stay positive and open because life often surprises you with miracles when you least expect it. Every challenge or rejection is a redirection toward something greater, and when you connect the dots in hindsight, it all makes sense. I want my readers to feel inspired to live with wonder and magic in their eyes.”
Q8. As someone who travels frequently, how does your wanderlust influence your creativity and work?
Answer: “Tremendously. Traveling and having lived all over the world has taught me to see things from all perspectives, not just through a cultural lens. I’ve learnt to be more adaptive and see things from all angles. On a deeper level, I’ve realized that while cultural differences exist, humans are universally similar on a psychological level.”
Q9. Your planners delve into layered aspects of personal growth – happiness, mindfulness, self-awareness, and boundaries – all interwoven to guide users toward a more fulfilled life. In your opinion, how do these elements collectively shape both personal and entrepreneurial journeys, and what pivotal role does happiness and gratitude play in sustaining this growth?
Answer: “At times I find it hard to believe that we’ve been doing this for nearly over a decade. Most people would’ve given up or moved onto another job by now, but I don’t know what I’d do without this. It’s become such an integral part of who I am.
Happiness has played a pivotal role in my journey. If this business didn’t bring me joy, I wouldn’t have been able to sustain it for so long. Even the challenges have taught me invaluable lessons, and I’m genuinely grateful for all of them. Without those obstacles, life would be boring and dull. They make the journey richer and help you grow as a person. I’m grateful for everything this business has brought me, especially the incredible people I’ve met along the way. It hasn’t just given me the freedom to travel and work from anywhere; it’s also connected me to amazing, inspiring individuals from all around the world.”
Q10. What advice do you have for aspiring fempreneurs trying to turn their big idea into reality?
Answer: “If you’re truly passionate about something, just go for it. Start by testing the market first to see if your idea resonates – determine if the market size is large enough and if the concept is strong enough. If the feedback is positive, take that leap of faith and pursue it!”
Q11. What’s next for you and The Happiness Planner in 2025? Any exciting projects, ventures, or collaborations?
Answer: “We’re shifting more toward print-on-demand products. We’ve also been revisiting initiatives we had planned since before COVID, such as retreats and courses. I’ve met some amazing people I’d love to collaborate with on these ventures, so stay tuned!”
Q12. Finally, what books or resources have shaped your approach to entrepreneurship and personal growth?
Answer: “I love Dave Trott’s books on creative thinking and Seth Godin’s work. For psychology, I recommend a book called The 5 Personality Patterns by Steven Kessler. It’s a profound read that offers a whole new level of understanding of psychology.”
Follow The Happiness Planner:
Instagram: @happinessplanner
