Her panic attacks were very bad, so she had to go to counseling and therapy.

When Merida felt sad, she would draw scary pictures to feel better. She would draw with black and red colors.

Merida said that drawing helped her release her feelings. She loved art and it made her feel better.

At 16, Merida dropped out of school. She didn't take her final exams, so she only had a certificate from her first year of school.

Merida then went to art school, but she dropped out again. She wanted to start her own business, a horror-themed art studio.

Merida was 19 and had no qualifications, but she wanted to start her own business.

Many kids want to go to a good school, but Merida quit. Why did she do that?

Merida said she didn't want a normal office job. She wanted to do something different.

Merida was very good at business from a young age. She learned how to paint faces from YouTube and started doing it for kids' parties.

At art school, Merida realized she was just average at graphic design. But she had many business ideas and wanted to try them out.

When Merida quit art school, her mom was worried. But her dad, who had his own business, supported her idea.

Merida used her own money and a loan from her dad to start her business. She called it Scuro, which means 'dark' in Italian.

The Scuro studio had a spooky atmosphere with horror posters and music. Customers could paint using unusual tools like screwdrivers and sponges.

The studio was very popular at first, but then bookings dropped by half. Merida was worried that she would have to close the business.

Starting a business in Singapore can be very expensive and risky. Merida had to pay a lot of money for rent and a deposit.

Merida was under a lot of stress because she didn't have enough money to keep the business going.

Merida thought she would have to close the studio, so she told her friends and family. She even told her landlord to find a new tenant.

Merida was very sad and regretted starting the business. But she didn't want to give up.

Merida made a video on TikTok to ask for help and support. She said that if she didn't earn enough money, the studio would close.

Merida tried new ideas, like neon art jams, to attract more customers. She used fluorescent paint and candlelight to create a special atmosphere.

The neon art jams were very popular, especially with kids. They loved the idea of painting with glow-in-the-dark colors.

Merida had decorated the studio with a forest and mushrooms, which worked well for the neon art jams. She just had to change the music and lighting.

Over time, the Scuro studio became a family-friendly place where people could have fun and be creative.

And that's what saved Merida's business.

Merida described the studio as a place where everything glows in the dark. Customers can paint with fluorescent colors and create their own art.

The studio is popular with both kids and adults. Merida provides templates and materials, so people don't need to have art experience to join in.

The studio offers party packages for kids, which include invitations, cake, games, and goodie bags. It's a hassle-free experience for parents.

Merida's business started to grow, and she earned a good income. She was joined by a co-founder who helped her with the business.

The co-founder introduced new ideas, like a minimum spend for parties, and helped Merida manage the business better.

The business continued to grow, and Merida opened a second studio. She now has a team of staff and runs the business with her co-founder.

The studio has hosted many private parties and events. Merida wants to increase bookings on weekdays and do more offsite parties.

Merida is developing her own fluorescent paint for the neon art jams. She wants to expand the business to other countries, like Malaysia.

Merida's parents are proud of her, even though she didn't follow a traditional path. They support her business and are happy to see her succeed.

Merida doesn't encourage people to drop out of school like she did. She thinks it's better to study and start a business at the same time.

Merida was stressed because she didn't have a safety net if the business failed. But she's happy now and has no regrets.

Merida is happy with her life and her business. She doesn't have panic attacks anymore and is proud of what she's achieved.

Merida sees a lot of potential in the parents' market and wants to make Scuro a leading company in the world.

Merida's business may not be the most trendy or high-tech, but it's stable and has a lot of potential for growth.

CNA Women is a section that informs, empowers, and inspires women. If you have news or ideas to share, you can email them.