To learn more about the finalists for The Ultimate Start-Up Space competition, each of the 10 finalists will answer 3 questions:
1. Why this idea?
2. Why this space? (Why do you feel like your idea best suits the shop space at 29 Boon Tat Street?)
3. Why this team? (Why do you think you’re the best person/team to realize your business idea in this space?)
In this post, we feature the answers from 3 of the finalists in random order.
Public supports plays a big part in determining the winner. If you have a favorite among the finalists, pledge your support here.
Zilch
Why this idea?
Web companies have this habit of giving things for free to consumers and earning money through advertisers or suppliers. I come from a software background and this thought of giving free evolved in me resulting in Zilch. Zilch is nothing but a cross pollination of ideas between web product companies and retail industry. At Zilch, we give products for free to consumers and earn through the retailers. Zilch is a social platform for brands to connect to their consumers. Imagine a young woman who tries on a new branded lipstick at Zilch. At the store we have several corners fitted with IPADS’ which can be used by the woman to show her friends on Facebook, what she has actually tried. The instant recognition and social engagement actually satiates the need of our retailers and consumers as well. In fact we encourage our consumers to do so by rewarding them with “social points” that increases the number of products they can take home, every time they visit us. So retailers can not only use Zilch to test their products and innovation but can also improve their brand recognition and awareness using the social platform. For consumers , its double whammy. They get to try all the latest products for free and also play a crucial role in redefining the product offerings from the brands. This mix of technology and retail actually gave an interesting output and that propelled me to proceed with the idea and apply to Martell V.S.O.P “The Ultimate Start-up Space”.
Why this space?
Boon Tat Street has a soothing presence in the CBD area. It’s a quite snug, around 8-10mins walk from the Raffles MRT, but away from the hustle and bustle of Robinson road or Lau pa sat. By being closer to Chinatown MRT,Boon Tat street is actually positioned at a place that is walkable from both green and violet MRT lines. This suits our exact need of a place that is convenient, calm and has a unique presence. We want our consumers to try the products at leisure and spend more time in the shop. Zilch is kind of a trendsetters’ hangout that needs to have a unique presence .The ambience of Boon Tat Street and proximity to the CBD area promises such an environment. Being at the intersection of Lau pa Sat and Robinson road , a substantial floating population is also guaranteed. More over currently our brands and retailers are around the CBD area which will help us to reduce costs on procurement.
Why this team?
Perseverance is the key for any business to succeed. Actually I was part of the TOP TEN finalist at Martell V.S.O.P “The Ultimate Start-up Space” 2010 and eventually lost in the finals. I have come back here again, honing my skills and preparing a better plan to succeed. I am confident that I would be able to take head on, the problems that are thrown at me without crumbling or accepting defeat. And my technology experience would be really helpful in realizing my idea of making Zilch a social platform that connects the brands and socially conscious consumers. The very reason that I have ventured out alone this time is to later recruit a co-founder who has diverse skill sets that complements me. He/she should be from either a retail industry or advertising industry. Since most of my friends and acquaintances are from software, it would not make business sense to have people with same skill sets and experience. This clarity and diversity in team definition is the biggest strength that Zilch possesses.
To support Zilch, pledge here.
Preparazzi
Why this idea?
There is a growing trend to eat healthy and simple. People are also becoming more interested in what they eat, not just for health perspective but also from sustainability perspective. They want to know where the food comes from and want to have better quality instead of bigger quantities.
No food can be healthy and simpler than home cooked food. However, the demand of work and family life means that most people are too busy to prepare meals themselves. They like the fun and the idea of cooking at home but they either do not know how or do not have the time. Preparazzi helps them to plan and prepare meals without fuss and mess.
Because of the amount of menial and low skilled work that is involved, Preparazzi can hire Singaporeans who have been marginalised by mainstream workforce either because of age, lack of education, inability to speak English or commit to a full time job.
Why this space?
A quick look on the map will show you that within a mere 200m radius, which is about the maximum distance a lady will walk in her heels, there are approximately 30-50 thousand persons in the vicinity. Assuming only half are ladies (and only ladies buy groceries and cook at home – a sexist generalisation but bear with me, by the way our testing proved this hypothesis to be correct), say only 10% fall into Preparazzi’s target customer group (which cannot be entirely possible), which means that there are 2,500 persons who will need Preparazzi’s services. Sadly, these people do not even have access to fresh groceries (Four Seasons groceries is at Marina Bay Link Mall which is like 1000m away by underpass) or a supermarket (Cold Storage at China Square Central which is 300m away from China Square), let alone a food service that helps you plan, shop and prepare meals for you to enjoy at your convenience.
Why this team?
I am deeply zealous about service, and have a keen interest and appreciation for fine gastronomy. I am a trained accountant but also played the part of private chef and sometime temporary hawker. I have a unique skillset having cut my teeth at a large multi-national company doing corporate advisory work. I am adept in the kitchen as proven by the number of people who have eaten my cooking and have not gotten sick (I think guest stints at restaurants and press articles also attest to this).
I am also competent as a commercial photographer and food artist and have shot for various food publications and restaurants. As a marketer, I am able to create buzz around my work and have been featured numerous times in media such as The Sunday Times, The Business Times August Man, Style Magazine and Mediacorp’s Channel U.
I do not stand alone but am backed by F&B industry veterans as well as experts in the various fields such as corporate law and intellectual property, accounting and tax issues as well as branding and public relations.
To support Preparazzi, pledge here.
BLOW
Why this idea?
Michelle and I had spoke about running our own businesses, and the beauty business just hit the spot for the both of us on one of our casual meetings. While no industry is recession proof, we think historically the beauty industry has been one of the few businesses to fare well even during bad times. According to a reuter’s report in 2009, despite the threat of job losses and the country’s deepest economic recession, seven in 10 Singaporeans will continue to spend on beauty products and services, a small industry survey showed. For a majority, beauty products and services are considered a ‘must’ for many women and an increasing number of men, rather than a ‘luxury’. Cozycot.com , a top women’s social networking site focused on women and beauty, reported in an extensive survey done by Proctor & Gamble, the manufacturers of Pantene, that 60% of women said that hairstyle and condition are the first things they notice in other women, followed by 19% noticing make up and 16% noticing clothing first. 63% of women stated that women with good hair seemed healthier, more confident and more attractive than women with ordinary or bad hair. This further inspired us to move forward on our idea of a pursuing a beauty business.
We then took time to evaluate the beauty services market in Singapore, almost 2 months ahead of the competition, as well as the environment on Boon Tat Street. We realized, unlike for nails, Singapore had no establishment focused on helping women and men achieve quick, great hair exists locally. The places which offered styles which were more fashion forward are often pricier as well, and the price scales up according to your hair length. We then decided to pioneer the idea of a hair blow dry bar called BLOW.
BLOW will be Singapore’s first hair “blow dry bar” fully dedicated to those on the go. There will be no cuts, no colors, and no fuss. BLOW’s value proposition: Great hair fast and affordable at a flat rate price no matter your hair length. We wish to offer a middle ground for clients who find hair styling at high-end luxury salons unapproachable and unaffordable.
With a largely Asian demographic in Singapore with Chinese making up the majority. Our appeal lies with being able to give ladies big luscious curls or voluminous hair that they are not genetically disposed to having. And with women in other ethnic groups, we want them to embrace their curls, and enjoy the looks they can get with it. Instead of trying to get rid of them through chemical rebonding treatments.
Celebrities look perfect on the red carpet, due in great measure to the artistry of their hair and makeup artists. With BLOW, perennial volume, luscious curls and pin-straight locks seen on catwalks and fashion editorials are now within the grasp of the average girl. At BLOW – our philosophy is simple. Focus on one thing, and be the best at it. For us, that is a great wash, blow and style combination. We believe in appealing to people’s need for affordable luxury, comfort and good service.
Why this space?
Our service compliments current clients of That Purple Place and the fitness studio on unit 29 of Boon Tat Street creating that one stop lifestyle and grooming place on Boon Tat Street. Women can now have their hair and make up done at BLOW and then have their nails done at The Purple Place on 29 Boon Tat Street. Ladies who attend a kick boxing class at the studio above, can come down for a change of clothes and allow us to do up her hair and make up so she can be well on her way for her next appointment or social event.
Notably the area is home to many communication and creative consultancies such as GRAYS LLC, AsiaPRWerks, Gettyimages, Inmagine and more, such industries are known for their long working hours and general lack of time. As well as companies such as Hong Leong, SGX, DBS, AXA, PIL and PWC, where executives from these Financial and Banking sectors and Shipping industries are known for their need to portray a presentable and professional image.
Blow caters to them yet also serves to draw a secondary audience made up of socialites and their children, the fashion conscious, students who need our hair and make up services for their prom nights, other tertiary students, and those who live in the Central Business District (CBD). Drawing these varied demographic types to the street will inevitable benefit other tenants.
Why this team?
Apart from our suitable background in disciplines such as advertising, media, law and management in addition to our interest in beauty and grooming. Our team’s experience is augmented by our board of advisors made up of seasoned entrepreneurs based in Singapore and the USA.
We think we are the best team to realize BLOW and incorporate it in this space because we are committed not just to building our brand. We want to establish a culture at BLOW where our company culture represents who we are as a brand, what we stand for, how we conduct ourselves and how clients can expect to be treated. It ultimately impacts work quality, job satisfaction and enjoyment, as well as employee retention that translates to what our brand will mean in the customer’s eyes.
In the beauty service industry that exists to help people achieve confidence and great looks, a positive and constructive culture is very influential. BLOW wants to be a business with a soul where a priority is placed on developing people and building a constructive corporate culture. While we are currently on the haunt for talents in the hairstyling and grooming industry, we have also recognized and build strategic partnership with lifestyle brands such as Frolick Yoghurt, as well as a couple of suitable lifestyle businesses on Boon Tat Street to offer greater perks to our client when we open for business. BLOW is more than a brand, it’s a lifestyle of looking good, feeling good, dressing well, and eating well. As such we have a variety of brand partners from apparel, to F&B, as well as fitness and beauty.
Experience of BLOW’s founders:
Michelle’s five years of experience in the one of world’s top airlines have equipped her with a clear understanding of what it takes to provide excellent service and how to inculcate that same understanding in others. Michelle’s knowledge of what it takes to provide top notch service to and build rapport with demanding clients will be instrumental in building the kind of culture which will win customer loyalty and repeat business for BLOW.
Jane, the founder of www.myskinnyaunt.com, an entertainment, event management and photography consultancy, worked with brands such as MediaCorp, Golden Village, FJ Benjamin, Google, SAP, Hewlett Packard and Jardin Enchante Pte Ltd on their events, and has always endeavoured to ensure her client’s needs are superseded, not just met.
Prior to running her event management, entertainment and photography business, Alethea spent over four years working in the Public Relations and Advertising Industry. She has held positions as an advertising copywriter and has practised in house public relations in her capacity as SEAP region public relations executive at luxury brands, Chopard, and later VERTU. She has also done public relations work for a variety of world-class firms including Intel, Epson, Seagate, La Putri Jewelry, and international trade show ITE HCMC.
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Link to full article
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