What does it truly mean to leave something meaningful behind?

For Jessica Tan, Founder of Heartana Group, that question has evolved throughout more than two decades in banking, investment management and corporate advisory.

Her career began in a world where value was often measured through growth, assets and long-term financial returns. Over time, however, Jessica began to see another kind of value — one that could not always be measured on a balance sheet.

Time.

This perspective eventually became part of the inspiration behind Heartana Group and Agartana, where the idea of legacy is expressed through something living: the agarwood tree.

As Jessica shares in her feature with TOTAL Magazine, agarwood holds a meaning that extends far beyond its commercial value. The Aquilaria tree forms its precious aromatic resin through its response to adversity — turning injury into something rare and valuable. For Jessica, it became a powerful reflection of life, family and business: what defines us is not simply the challenges we face, but how we respond to them.     TM168_Sep_Oct_030-036_Total_Cov…

A Living Form of Value

At Agartana, every tree represents more than a physical asset.

It carries environmental, cultural, educational and emotional value. Jessica describes this as a form of living value — something that continues to grow and evolve through time.     TM168_Sep_Oct_030-036_Total_Cov…

This is also why Agartana approaches each tree through the idea of stewardship.

Owners are able to select their individual tree, receive updates throughout its growth, visit the orchard and become part of its journey. Rather than viewing agarwood simply as a commercial crop, Heartana's broader philosophy of “From a Tree to a Forest” looks towards creating healthier ecosystems where trees, soil and biodiversity can thrive together.     TM168_Sep_Oct_030-036_Total_Cov…

The Time Economy

Jessica describes another idea shaped by her background in finance: the Time Economy.

In finance, value can grow through compounding. Nature operates through a similar principle — some forms of value can only emerge when they are given sufficient time.

Trees cannot be rushed. Neither can knowledge, relationships, heritage or meaningful legacies.

This way of thinking has influenced Agartana's wider commitment to education and knowledge preservation. Through collaborations with institutions such as Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Heartana supports scientific research while helping preserve traditional agarwood knowledge for future generations.     TM168_Sep_Oct_030-036_Total_Cov…

From One Tree to a Larger Legacy

Looking ahead, Jessica envisions Heartana as more than a company.

She sees an ecosystem connecting nature, culture, wellness, science, agriculture and education — one that encourages people to rethink their relationship with nature and consider what they are nurturing today for generations they may never meet.     TM168_Sep_Oct_030-036_Total_Cov…

Ultimately, the story of Agartana is not simply about owning an agarwood tree.

It is about asking a larger question:

What are we growing today that will continue giving tomorrow?

Because perhaps the greatest legacy is not simply what we leave behind — but what continues to grow because we were here.     TM168_Sep_Oct_030-036_Total_Cov…

Read the Full Feature

Discover Jessica Tan's journey, the philosophy behind Agartana, and a different perspective on nature, time and legacy in the full TOTAL Magazine September/October 2026 feature.

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