Starting a new business can be daunting, given that the odds seem stacked against you and there are numerous challenges to tackle. It takes tenacity, talent and a little bit of luck to edge out the competition and carve out a niche in the market. As more Singaporeans take a leap of faith to pursue their passions and bring innovative products to the community, we can do our part to cheer them on and #supportlocal.
Here are 5 homegrown innovative businesses that managed to overcome the odds and built successful brands that we love and can be proud of.
Birds of Paradise
Inspired by botanical flavours of nature, Birds of Paradise is a homegrown gelato boutique founded by Edwin Lim in July 2016. On the menu are unique flavours such as white chrysanthemum, lychee raspberry, sea salt hojicha, strawberry basil, spiced pear and more, served with the brand’s very own house-made thyme cone.
When the business first opened, combining botanical flavours with ice cream cones were unheard of, but soon became a hot-hit amongst Singaporeans and tourists alike, drawing long queues at both its East Coast and Jewel outlets even 5 years later.
Since 2019, Birds of Paradise has been donating 100% of its sales accumulated over its anniversary weekend in July to its long-term community partner EQUAL, which aims to help people with disabilities or the elderly with dementia using animal-assisted intervention.
Now with 16 flavours available online in pints, shop Birds of Paradise here.
Airmocks
Hammocks have been around for over 1000 years, dating back to the Mayan civilization. In 2018, this Singaporean gave the conventional hammock an upgrade, and created the next big millennial trend. Founded by Ernest Ng, this local innovative business reintroduced hammocks to Singaporeans as there was a lack of hammock culture here back then. His big idea was inspired by his travelling experiences, where he got a glimpse of how hammocks gave people the space and avenue to chill out.
As Singapore is rather hot out, Ernest figured that it might be interesting to consider placing hammocks indoors. That’s where free-standing hammocks were introduced. The concept then quickly became popular in homes and eventually spread to offices. They have also been picked up by popular Singapore outdoor events such as ArtBox, the yearly Singapore Night Festival and the DBS Marina Regatta. While they may look bulky, they are extremely easy to set up and no tools are required. There are 5 different types of Airmocks available on the site, ranging from $228 for a standard to $600 for hanging chairs.
Browse and shop Airmocks here.
Minimakers
Minimakers are known for being Singapore’s largest manufacturer of Beeswax wrap. And if you already don’t know what that is, they are the sustainable and reusable version of the plastic cling wrap we often use to wrap our leftover food. Founded by Kai, Minimakers work with local-based designers and use premium fabrics to produce wraps in limited batches, ensuring that the quality is of good standard. Locally, they have also been working with sustainable focused retailers and artisans from the Autism Resource Centre.
Apart from Beeswax wraps that are retailed for $9.90 for small and $24.90 for large, Minimakers also carry other products such as ceramics and sponge cloths. The Minimakers website is packed full with Beeswax care tips and also sustainability-related articles and topics you can explore.
For more information, visit the Minimakers website here.
The Paper Bunny
Originally starting out as a stationery brand, The Paper Bunny has since expanded to include other products such as bags, bottles and clothes, making it also a lifestyle brand. Founded in 2013 by Jaime Lee, The Paper Bunny focuses a lot of growth and constantly strives to better it’s products and services.
Describing sustainability as a journey, The Paper Bunny has switched to using FSC-certified (containing 70% recycled materials) paper on all its paper products. Wherever possible, The Paper Bunny also chooses to use recycled materials to create new pieces, reducing the need to use raw materials and cut down on waste that gets sent to the incinerator. What stood out most was the sustainability range, which offers a mix range of bags, utensils, bottles and cups.
For more information, read about its sustainability journey or shop The Paper Bunny here.
Will & Well
By marrying fashion and technology, Elisa Lim of homegrown brand Will & Well aims to design inclusive and attractive clothing for those with disabilities or special needs. Each piece of clothing is well thought out and researched, ensuring that the product is comfortable and accessible for the user. While the clothes were originally meant to serve the disabled and elderly, they have over time been transformed into fashionable clothing for all.
To the regular person, buttons and back zips are just minor inconveniences. However, for those with disabilities or special needs, these little inconveniences are amplified. After months of research, Will & Well has adopted assistive technologies into the clothing designs. These technologies include neodymium magnetic buttons that snap into place with simple movements, full-length zippers on pants that allow it to open fully and also front zippers that ensure maximum accessibility for the user.
Will & Well prices off the shelf products at S$29 to S$89, while custom pieces can go from S$120 to S$300. Workshops on sewing are also available.
For more information, visit Will & Well here.
