What is the nature of your business? (Business Profile)
Inspiration Design basically focused on commercial projects. We also have a subsidiary called Inspiration school which provides graphic and interior design education from a certificate level to a diploma level. Also, we tied up with Institute of Technology Australia (IOTA) to provide a course from BBA to MBA.

What made you embark on this venture choice?
Inspiration started as a partnership. Mr. Tay, the principal started the school in Ang Mo Kio. At that time, I was one of the best students there. I work very hard and am involved in commercial projects like exhibitions and banquets. It’s something very different from what I have been taught in school, a lot of hands-on and problem solving exposures. I have a lot of experience and therefore I thought that it’s time for me to venture into the design business.

How does your business work?
I work on a lot of industry designs. For Inspiration School, we always ensure that we tie in what the students learn with the industry standards. To do so, the teachers and lecturers must have the same kind of knowledge. This allows the students learn beyond the courses which benefits them

Did you have the capital to start the business or did you have to borrow from someone to get started?
I started another company prior to Inspiration Design with zero capital. Together with my brother-in-law, we worked well and earned quite a lot of money. I kept the savings and used it to venture into this current school business. I don’t believe in 4D. Instead, I believe in working hard and smart and moving on.

Do your parents have their own businesses too? Have they inspired you in one way or another?
Yes, my father is very creative in a different way. He never did once say that about giving up on his business. He always manages to find a solution to overcome the problems. Sometimes things happen like economic downturns and he is able to find alternatives. It is inspiring and I feel that I have a bit of his flair.

What was your childhood dream? When did you decide that you would strike out on your own instead of working for someone else?
I always wanted to be a pilot but when I was in primary 4, this opportunity came. My parents brought me to watch Pinocchio a few times and it influenced me a lot. I never knew that I could draw and in fact, my drawing had been terrible. When I watched the cartoon show, I started memorizing all the small details. From there I could draw and was lucky enough to be the only student in class with my work pinned on the board. It motivated me to be more creative. After I discovered this talent, I decided to be an artist. My parents disagreed as they feel that I can’t make money out of this trade. My dad asked me to cook but I didn’t want to cook all my life. It so happened that I did not do well in my subjects so I went to Shatec. During my time there, I was exposed to commercial art. I feel that I can be creative and decided to move on. I am able to serve the Sultans and the VIPS. I started thinking that I am able to start my own company. Whenever I work in hotels, people will spot me and I started doing free lancing. After doing some calculations, I realized that I should start out on my own. I needed a group of people so I started training my brother-in-law and my brother.

Why does someone decide to be on their own rather than join an existing company?
Doing business and being employed are two different ball games. The employed are contented with their surroundings, comfortable, many benefits, and good income. Also, they feel good working in those big companies like Microsoft and 5 star hotels. However, no one can guarantee them with this job for life. People venture into businesses as they want a different type of challenge.

Are there at any point in your life that you experienced a significant event (WW2, racial riots of the 1960s, the Economic Crisis of the 80s or 90s, SARS, new competition or shifts in market behaviour and trends) which affected or influenced you and your business that made you change the way you think and do your business?
In 1997 during the economic downturn, many students actually came over to study. Suddenly there are so many students in that year. When they graduated, the economy has not picked up and in a way the market is saturated with design students. When they do a project, design is often becomes free of charge and this lowers the value of having a design certificate. Also, SARS is a big hit for us as this private school depends on 50 % of the international students.

What are some of the challenges in starting a business from scratch? (Modify question to what are some of the challenges in maintaining a family business if applicable.)
I don’t really have any challenges as I have no fear. Also, I have networked with many customers when I was working in the hotels and in a way my name itself has a value attached to it. As such, I don’t have much to worry about not getting businesses.

Who/What motivates you?
Family is one of the main motivations. Sometimes when I talk to my wife or my kids, it makes me motivated when they are proud of me. Business partners and friends would not intimidate you. Customers will see you in a different light. They want to befriend you and talk to you. The industry also gives me the assurance that the company will do well.

Tell me about the first few customers and the first few years of business.
Inspiration started some time ago. I can be considered as the first few students. I started studying at Inspiration in 1990. We treated the customer as a friend and that is how we build our business. As a private institution, we cannot depend on advertisements. Instead, we have to depend on good relationships with customers. So if they feel that we have done a good service, they will recommend us to other people.

Please tell me some stories of your best day in business or your proudest achievement to date.
Sentosa Sensation. Sentosa approached me to do the project for them which will cost them around 15k. I told them that paying me 15 k won’t get them a very big prop since I myself alone can only build one sand castle. They should work the sensation like the overseas projects for example those ice-sculpting concepts. I told them that I have a pool of students and am able mobilize my hundred over students to build 10 sandcastles. Eventually we build it and this gives the students a unique experience as well.

Do you recall your worst day in business? Have you ever felt like giving up?
I never felt like giving up but I felt heartbreaking on a few occasions. I am very proud of my commercial projects as I have control over them. However for the students, sometimes they misunderstand my position. I treat them as designers and not students. There is one case where some students sprayed some paint on the floor. I told them to clean it up but they protested and wanted the cleaner to do it. On a commercial viewpoint, I feel that they are responsible for their own doings. Due to different perceptions, the students started comparing and complaining. Sometimes when I put in a lot of effort and I don’t get recognized. Instead I am being penalized, I feel disappointed.

When was the moment you realised the business would work and support you?
I realized that I had the opportunity when my bosses and customers started praising me and gave me the ideas that I can start out on my own.

What are some of the things you have had to overcome to succeed?
Knowledge is very important. I was told to do a business proposal and I felt like I was far from knowing what business is about. Therefore, I look through some books like marketing strategy books to help me out. Based on the books, my experience and advices, I piece them together like a puzzle to work out the business proposal.

What are some qualities that you feel you possess which differentiate you from someone who works for others?
I always think of ways to improve on my knowledge and communication with people. With more mistakes, I get more experienced and in turn become more creative.

To succeed in business, what qualities are essential? What are some of the 'secrets' in making a successful business?
Firstly, you must have good relationship skills with people. Secondly, you must know about financial figures and cash flows. You also always have to “think business” to do well. When I was working in the hotels, I acquired some PR knowledge. So even if you meet somehow you do not know, just smile. First impression counts and people will start to talk to you.

Who or what inspires you?
My father doesn’t like to work for people. He always wants to make things happen. So when I see how versatile he is, I learn to continuously find alternatives and different ways to do my business.

Have you ever thought of expanding the business in some way or in multiple locations? How and where?
When we move on to China, India and Cambodia, we realized that they rely on our human capital. So we are thinking of licensing the programs whereby we will train their lecturers. Also, we are intending to start on a new program called “Inspire Kids”. In fact, we did a test run on 43 students last year. I want to operate this in a retail area. When the parents are shopping, they can leave the kids at Inspire Kids. The short period here will teach them communication and creative-thinking skills. We will rent different places in malls and once people learnt about us, we will eventually franchise this program.

What aspects of expansion would you like to see for your enterprise?
Go listing. We will need a successful business model, branding to aid in listing.

In your opinion, how would you define entrepreneurship?
Being an entrepreneur, he must always be ready to face problems. I like to tell people if they are able to focus on just one color of the rainbow, they can succeed.

To what extent does one?s educational level help or hinder entrepreneurial-ship?
Some people say that knowledge is power. I say that action is power.

As we try to select the final 41 entrepreneurs, what qualities would you think a person should have to inspire others?
To have a successful business model, being able to stand firm in the business and interests and also to have the willingness to be open and sharing his ideas.

What are some of your own values in doing business and what do you like to pass down to others, particularly the younger generation?
It is only possible to pass down these values when the person is next to me and together we can encounter and solve the problems. It is only with experience that they can acquire these values.

What advice would you like to give young people who want to start their own business?
They must have the right type of product and must be knowledgeable about this product. This product must be able to turn into other products as well. If not, a very successful model will become stuck and stagnant. These young people must be able to take positive criticism as well.

Student Interviewer's Personal Comment