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Being, Human: From Storefronts to Live Shopping Experiences

Recap of Arcc Spaces’ industry conversation on creativity, leadership, and the future of retail.  

27 Nov 2025
Conversations , Culture , Experiences , Ideas , Insight

On a rainy Friday morning in Kuala Lumpur, the city slowed down, but inside Arcc Spaces Gardens North Tower, the atmosphere was energetic and full of anticipation. Despite the wet weather, leaders, creators, founders, and brand builders from across Malaysia gathered for another profound edition of Being, Human, our signature series designed to explore the evolving intersection of leadership, creativity, humanity, and modern business.

From store shelves to mobile screens and from physical experiences to interactive livestreams, today’s retail world is changing at remarkable speed. This session brought together four powerful voices who represent both sides of the transformation: CEOs and creators. The result was a morning where ideas flowed seamlessly, conversations felt natural, and people from different industries and generations found unexpected common ground.


A Room Filled with Leaders, Innovators and Curious Thinkers

Even before the first speaker took the stage, attendees were already forming small circles across the lounge area. Some were founders looking to understand creator-led commerce. Some were marketers exploring how livestreaming trends influence consumer trust. Others were corporate teams curious about how personal influence shapes brand perception today.

Despite differences in background, age, expertise, and industry, there was a shared energy. Everyone arrived with a desire to learn, connect and contribute. The rainy weather outside made the space feel even more intimate and grounded, turning the morning into a warm and thoughtful gathering.

Exploring the New Language of Influence and Commerce

Throughout the session, our speakers unpacked the shifts shaping retail, F&B, fashion, beauty, and digital content. Their perspectives revealed the growing importance of authenticity, human storytelling and trust in a world where audiences are constantly online.

Crystal Lim

LinkedIn Top 20 Creator and Corporate Storyteller
Crystal opened the conversation with a powerful reflection on how influence is built. She reminded us that personal branding is not about being viral, but about being understood. Her experience creating content that bridges corporate messaging and relatable storytelling inspired the audience to rethink how brands can show their human side while maintaining professionalism.

Andrew Khoo

Executive Chairman and CEO of MUI Group
Andrew brought an invaluable perspective from decades of leadership across F&B, fashion, hotels and retail. He shared how reinvention requires courage, clarity and a willingness to let new voices shape the narrative. His insights helped attendees understand how traditional businesses can collaborate meaningfully with creators, and why authenticity has become a strategic advantage.

Rhys William

Content Creator and Food Critic
Rhys delivered an insider’s look at creator-led consumption. With over 1 million followers and more than 2,000 videos produced, he explained how social-first behaviour has reshaped food discovery, brand loyalty and purchasing decisions. His candid stories about audience reactions and content experimentation highlighted the real, measurable impact creators have on modern retail.

Julius Lim

CEO and Co-Founder of B&B Labs
Julius explored the future of beauty retail and what it means to build products and narratives that feel personal to the consumer. He spoke about science-backed skincare, retail innovation and how brands must adapt when customers expect education, transparency and personalised experiences.


The CEO–Creator Playbook: A New Way to Grow

When the four speakers came together for the main dialogue, they unpacked a central theme that resonated throughout the room:

Growth happens when corporate vision aligns with creator authenticity.

Their combined insights highlighted several truths shaping the next wave of commerce:

1. Consumers buy from people they trust, not just brands

Trust is built through human stories, lived experiences and creators who show up consistently.

2. Live shopping is becoming a relationship, not a transaction

People no longer watch to buy. They watch to connect, learn, and participate.

3. Creativity is now a leadership skill

Executives who embrace storytelling and audience engagement will shape tomorrow’s retail landscape.

4. Community is a business asset

Audiences who feel seen and understood naturally evolve into loyal customers.

5. Collaboration between CEOs and creators is the new growth engine

Both bring different strengths. Together, they unlock strategies that feel human and scalable.

Throughout the conversation, attendees nodded along, took notes, exchanged glances and connected over shared challenges. The room felt like a co-creation space where different worlds met and found harmony.


The Arcc Spaces Environment: Where Ideas Meet Hospitality

The venue played a meaningful role in shaping the experience.
Our Gardens North Tower centre, with its thoughtful design, warm lighting and architectural openness, created an environment where conversations flowed easily. The curated seating areas encouraged interaction. The view of the city softened by the rain added a calm backdrop that made the morning feel reflective and grounded.

People who had never met before exchanged insights as if they had been collaborating for years. Designers spoke to CEOs. Creators connected with F&B operators. Young marketers shared perspectives with industry veterans. It was a natural reminder of why human-centric design matters. When space is created with intention, people connect effortlessly.


A Community That Continues to Grow

This edition of Being, Human reaffirmed something we deeply believe at Arcc Spaces:
Great ideas happen when people feel inspired, supported and welcomed.

As attendees left with new relationships, new understandings and new possibilities, the space remained energised long after the session ended. Conversations continued to spill into the hallways and lifts, proving that community does not stop at the end of a talk. It evolves with every connection made.


Join Us for the Next Edition

Being, Human will continue to explore leadership, creativity, culture and the future of work through meaningful conversations. Whether you are a business leader, a creator, a strategist or simply someone who wants to understand the world more deeply, we welcome you into our community.

If you would like to host, attend or collaborate in future sessions, we would love to connect.

Visit Arcc Spaces

Explore our premium workspaces in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai via the tab above.