The Team
Built by Practitioners, Driven by People
Founded by industry practitioners Vi and Shirmy, TalenTTree transforms lived experience across dining rooms and boardrooms into training that works on the ground. We empower Southeast Asian teams by blending traditional service instincts with modern professional standards, focusing on the cultural intelligence and personal presence required for world-class hospitality.
Vi Yon
Co-founder • Director
Vi holds a degree in Mass Communications from Liverpool John Moores University and began her career in the Events and Entertainment department at Resorts World Genting, where she gained early exposure to large-scale operations, brand-led experiences, and stakeholder management. This foundation shaped her understanding of audience engagement, service delivery, and operational excellence within high-pressure environments.
At the age of 23, Vi started her own business, marking the beginning of a decade-long entrepreneurial journey. Over the years, she built and led a premium gifting and events company serving multinational corporations and government-linked companies, delivering high-touch experiences for discerning corporate clients. This period sharpened her capabilities in client strategy, team leadership, and business growth within premium service sectors.
After more than ten years in corporate-facing experiential work, Vi transitioned into the hospitality industry by opening Bar Terumi, a cocktail bar rooted in craft, care, and intentional service. Managing and growing the team independently, she translated her corporate and entrepreneurial experience into a hospitality context, placing strong emphasis on people development, service standards, and sustainable operations. This journey naturally led to the establishment of an academy, extending her work beyond operations into training and mentorship developing the next generation of hospitality professionals through structured, experience-driven learning.
Shirmy Chan
Co-founder • Lead Consultant & Trainer
Shirmy is a highly accomplished bartender and hospitality professional with extensive experience in beverage education, brand advocacy, and client engagement. She is best known as the founder and head bartender of Terumi Bar in Malaysia, where her innovative concepts and dedication to elevated guest experiences have made her a recognized name in the industry.
Beyond her work in the bar scene, Shirmy has collaborated with some of the world’s leading beverage companies, including Pernod Ricard Malaysia, William Grant & Sons, Whyte & Mackay, and Moutai Baijiu. Through these partnerships, she has conducted numerous masterclasses and product education sessions, sharing both technical expertise and accessible knowledge with professionals and consumers alike.
Her professional background also extends beyond hospitality. From 2017 to 2021, Shirmy worked as a licensed insurance agent and life advisor, where she managed client portfolios and provided tailored financial solutions. This experience developed her ability to listen deeply, understand client needs, and build trust-based relationships, adding a strong layer of customer-centric finesse to her current approach in hospitality training and consultancy.
Today, as Co-Founder of TalenT Tree and an HRDC Certified trainer, Shirmy is committed to elevating the standards of the bar and hospitality industry in Malaysia and the wider region. She focuses on education, mentorship, and professional development, blending her technical expertise with the values of professionalism, humility, and discipline. Her vision is to inspire and prepare the next generation of bartenders and hospitality professionals for sustainable and impactful careers.
