Rebuilding His Future Against All Odds

Premnath’s journey reflects resilience, perseverance, and adaptability. From facing financial hardship and health setbacks to finding his true calling in satellite imaging, he has never given up. With an MBA from SIM-UOB and a renewed purpose, he hopes to inspire others, especially his son, through his unwavering determination.

13 May 2025

For Premnath S/O Suparamaniam, life’s journey has been defined by perseverance, grit, and a relentless drive to rise above the odds. From stepping into the role of family breadwinner at 29 to facing financial hardship, health challenges, and professional crossroads, Premnath’s story is a reminder of how resilience and purpose can guide one through the most difficult times.

Growing up in a middle-income family, Premnath’s early years were shaped by prudence and practicality. His upbringing instilled in him values of frugality, caution, and a preference for stable career paths. When his father passed away in 2012, Premnath stepped up to support his family both emotionally and financially. This responsibility became even more challenging when he left full-time employment to start his event planning business in 2014.

Fuelled by a passion for events management, Premnath poured his heart into the venture. Yet, as financial commitments grew and income remained unstable, the pressures took a toll on his health and well-being. A heart attack served as a wake-up call. He reassessed his path, put entrepreneurship on hold, and re-entered the workforce to regain stability.

Rejoining the workforce was not without its struggles. With a niche background and no direct industry fit, Premnath had to pivot, first taking on a sales role in insurance before eventually landing a position at the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). There, he gained industry knowledge that led him back to his original passion, satellite imaging, by joining BlackSky, a global satellite imaging company.

In 2023, Premnath began his Master of Business Administration (MBA) journey at SIM-University of Birmingham (SIM-UOB), determined to sharpen his strategic and leadership capabilities. “The MBA has expanded my perspective,” he shared. “I have learnt that there are different factors in environment that impacts decisions made in/ by organisations.. This indirectly sharpened my sales pitches and negotiation skills when discussing with internal and external stakeholders.” Through SIM-UOB, he found academic growth and a renewed sense of purpose and direction. The programme’s international outlook and emphasis on strategic management aligned perfectly with his career goals in the global space sector.

In recognition of his remarkable perseverance, Premnath was awarded the Chairman’s Award for Resilience, which acknowledges his unwavering spirit and growth mindset despite personal and professional setbacks. This milestone served not only as validation of his hard-fought journey but also as encouragement to continue striving for excellence.

Now a proud father, Premnath’s ambitions have deepened. He hopes to serve as a role model to his son, aiming to become a technopreneur in the satellite imaging industry and eventually mentor others to become intrapreneurs. His journey from adversity to achievement highlights the power of inner strength and adaptability.

His message for others navigating difficult times? “The only mantra that I always say to myself is to always stay both relevant and relatable in life,” he says. “In doing so, resilience became an outcome effortlessly.”