SIGNICIA Lives In Motion: Yan Da on Curiosity, Building with Care and Staying Open to What’s Next

For Yan Da | Founder of inuhomes, movement is less about following a fixed path than staying open to what might be built, learned or experienced next. After close to a decade working with animals, he founded inuhomes with a belief that the way we care for dogs should evolve with the way they have become part of the family. Alongside entrepreneurship, travel and content creation continue to widen his perspective and keep curiosity at the centre of how he moves through life.

Who are you beyond your professional title?

I’m someone who has always been curious and likes building things around what I genuinely care about. Animals have been a huge part of my life for years, but I also love travelling, creating content and sharing experiences with people. I don’t think I fit neatly into one box, and I’ve learned to embrace that.

What experiences have shaped the person you are today?

Working with animals for close to a decade taught me patience, responsibility and how much trust matters. Becoming an entrepreneur pushed me in a completely different way, because suddenly I had to turn an idea into something real and take ownership of every decision. Travelling and creating content have also exposed me to different people, cultures and perspectives. All of those experiences have shaped how I see both my work and myself.

Photos courtesy of Yanda.

What continues to move you forward in your work and life?

I think it’s curiosity, and the feeling that there is always something else I can build, experience or learn. Whether it’s growing my business, creating something I’m proud of, working with animals or travelling somewhere new, I like knowing that my life can keep evolving. It’s about exploring new experiences and continuing to find something novel in life.

What do you hope your work moves or inspires in others?

I hope it shows people that you don’t have to fit into just one version of yourself. You can build a business, pursue your passions, travel, create and still keep figuring things out along the way. I’d love for what I do to encourage someone to take a chance on something they genuinely care about.

What is something you carry with you wherever you go physically or metaphorically?

Curiosity. I’m always observing, asking questions and wanting to experience something new. Whether I’m travelling, working with animals or creating content, I think that curiosity helps me connect with people and see things from different perspectives.

“You don’t have to fit into just one version of yourself.”

What first moved you to begin inuhomes?

I started inuhomes because I saw how much the way people view their pets was changing. More couples are choosing a DINK lifestyle, and for many of them, their dogs really are their kids. I felt there was room for a different kind of boarding experience in Singapore, one that treats dogs less like pets being temporarily housed and more like family members who deserve thoughtful and professional care.

How has building the business shaped your own identity?

inuhomes has only been around for about a year, so a lot of this stage has been about building foundations, making mistakes and learning very quickly from them. Running a business has taught me that entrepreneurship is much less about having everything figured out and more about being willing to adapt, solve problems and keep improving. It has made me more resilient and much more comfortable with uncertainty.

What change do you hope your work creates?

I hope inuhomes can be part of changing how pet care is viewed in Singapore, especially as dogs become an even bigger part of the family. I want owners to feel that choosing a boarding space can come with the same level of consideration they would give any other important part of their lives. For the industry, I hope we can contribute towards higher standards in safety, care and transparency, while still creating an environment that feels warm and personal.

Photos courtesy of Yanda.

What drew you to the SIGNICIA combination you selected, and what about it feels most like you?

I was drawn to the silver body and burgundy identity capsule combination first because it feels clean, modern and easy to style. I also really like how sleek and understated the design is. The fact that SIGNICIA is a Singapore brand makes it feel even more personal to me, especially because I love supporting something that comes from home while still having a very international feel.

Where do you see SIGNICIA fitting naturally into your work, travels or everyday life?

Travel is already such a big part of my life, both personally and through content creation, so I see it naturally becoming something I bring along on trips. I’m constantly moving between work, travelling and creating, so I like having something that feels practical but still fits my personal style.

Photos courtesy of Yanda.

What are you moving towards next?

I’m moving towards building a life where I can continue growing my business without giving up the other things that make me feel like myself. I want to travel more, create better work, experience new things and stay open to opportunities I might not have planned for. I don’t necessarily know exactly where it leads, and I think that’s part of what excites me.

For Yan Da, moving forward does not require knowing every turn in advance. It is enough to stay curious, build with care, and remain open to the possibilities that appear along the way.