Options: Congratulations on PurelyB’s 10th anniversary celebration on Aug 9. What have been the biggest life and business lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
Raja Jesrina Arshad: Thank you! It feels surreal, as the past decade have been the most rollercoaster, intense years of my life, filled with extreme highs and lows. The key lesson I’ve learnt is the importance of resilience and purpose. As a first-time entrepreneur, I had to grow in all aspects: how I view challenges and navigate hardships, my own values. I learnt no matter what, you have to stay adaptable, trust the process and keep your ‘why’ centred. For me, the ‘why’ has always been about helping people heal naturally, and PurelyB is my way of sharing Malaysia’s incredible wellness heritage with the world.
What was the lowest point, and how did you overcome it?
Honestly, there have been many, but the toughest was in 2019, just before the pandemic. We had launched our Pegaga product and demand was there but our structure wasn’t sustainable. To survive, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to downsize from 12 to just three people. It felt like starting over from scratch. And then the pandemic hit months later, shaking our supply chain and revenue. I was scared but, deep down, I knew I had to trust my gut, trust myself and return to our roots, our mission, our story and our community. I reminded myself that I built PurelyB in 2015 with no marketing funds, no experience and, yet, created a brand that resonated worldwide. I leaned on authenticity, doubled down on what made us unique — our heritage of traditional Malaysian remedies — and focused on serving our customers. That period forced me to grow as a leader, and it ultimately became the foundation for the sixfold growth we achieved in the following three years.
You mentioned long-term health issues being the catalyst for your interest in traditional Malay herbalism. Can you explain?
I struggled for years with chronic gut issues, hormonal imbalance, fatigue and skin flare-ups. I tried everything, including colonoscopies. Nothing worked until I turned to traditional Malay remedies. Meeting Oxford medical scientist Prof Gerard Bodeker and Kak Ida, a traditional Malay healer and bidan (midwife), completely changed my life. Prof Bodeker introduced me to pegaga (gotu kola) and explained its incredible benefits for the brain, skin and gut.
Kak Ida shared one of her most sacred ramuan (remedies) that combined pegaga with other rainforest herbs — formulas passed down for generations in her family to heal women post-birth, balance hormones and restore health. I realised it wasn’t just the individual herbs that were powerful; it was these ancestral formulations that were in danger of being lost. Our mission with PurelyB became not just about reviving the herbs but preserving these sacred remedies themselves, making them accessible to the modern world without losing their soul. Partnering with Dr Bodeker and Kak Ida, we were able to modernise these remedies, keep them authentic and share their life-changing benefits with our community globally.
How do you start your day typically?
It has to be simple and powerful because my days are intense, balancing expansion in the US and managing my team in Asia across two time zones. I begin with a big glass of water mixed with two scoops of Pegaga Original, a sachet of Pegaga Chaga and a sachet of Tiger Milk Mushroom. This combo is my daily ‘armour’ — it keeps my digestion on track, reduces inflammation, keeps my allergies at bay, strengthens my immunity and gives me clean, focused energy without caffeine. I never need coffee!
But surely there are days when you indulge a little. What local Malaysian treats can you absolutely not resist?
Ais kacang (just cincau and syrup for me!), kuih koci and apam balik are my guilty pleasures. For savouries, chicken rice and nasi lemak — always! I even try to cook chicken rice when I’m in Los Angeles. I believe Malaysian food can be nourishing when made with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
What do you recommend for stressed-out executives?
Stress hits your mind, gut and immunity first, so I always recommend Pegaga Chaga. It’s like a natural reset: It calms your mind, eases bloating, supports your gut and improves focus without stimulants. If stress is running you down physically, causing fatigue, coughs, allergies or sinus issues (a sign of inflammation), Tiger Milk Mushroom is my go-to. It helps reduce inflammation naturally, strengthens your lungs, boosts your immunity and gives you sustainable energy so you can keep going without burning out. It’s a game changer for allergy symptoms, too. Most customers, including myself, no longer consume Zyrtec. We just take this daily! The best part? Both come as natural pixie sticks! You can pour the powder straight into your mouth and it melts like tangy candy. No water needed, no fuss, just pure herbs and fruits that work with your body.
What are you reading right now?
I’m reading Becoming Supernatural by Dr Joe Dispenza. It’s a powerful reminder to go inward instead of constantly ‘doing more’. It teaches you to align your energy and mindset with your goals, and to manifest from a place of presence rather than pressure, backed by science. It resonates deeply with me because, as a founder, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. This book reminds me to pause, reconnect with my purpose and trust that the inner work creates the outer results.
What are you listening to right now?
My current favourite podcast is Aspire with Emma Grede. She interviews women who have broken barriers and transformed industries, and it’s so inspiring to hear their journeys and the mindset shifts behind their success. I also have an ‘Inner Balance’ playlist I curated — relaxing music with nature sounds and high-vibration tracks. I play it when I work; it keeps me calm, focused and connected.
Where are your favourite destinations to travel to?
Before, I would’ve said Tuscany and Bali, but post-pandemic, I’ve found the deepest reset right here in Malaysia. Ambong Pool Villas in Langkawi is my happy place: being surrounded by the rainforest, enjoying therapeutic super-relaxing Malay massages, delicious plant-based meals and breathtaking ocean views. Also East Malaysia, for Sarawak’s magical rainforests and caves and Sabah’s beautiful islands, especially Lankayan. These places leave me feeling completely recharged and connected to nature.
Describe your idea of a perfect weekend.
I’m a nature girl! I can spend hours by the ocean swimming, journalling and not realising the time. A perfect weekend is one where I wake up by the ocean, surrounded by nature. I’d start with a slow, nourishing breakfast, spend the day exploring beaches or rainforest trails, and taking a dip at a peaceful waterfall. A traditional massage in the afternoon would melt away any lingering stress, followed by a simple but delicious dinner and deep, meaningful conversations with the people I love. For me, the perfect weekend is about rest, nature and presence — completely unplugged from the noise of daily life.
This article first appeared on Aug 11, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.