Madam Ow used to make just $30 a day before her business got a rise out of a hotel chef's new recipe. Now she is planning a second outlet in IMM. -- ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN

Five months ago, Madam Felicia Ow, 34, ventured into the food business at the Amoy Street Food Centre, but sales were not so hot initially.

Her average daily takings two months ago, for example, were a mere $30. Once, she made only $3 a day.

Things turned around when her stall was featured early this month on a local television programme that helps struggling hawker stalls to revamp their business.

In came Orchard Hotel's executive chef Sunny Sia, who gave her a new recipe to make her muffins more delicious.

Now she is tasting wild success. In the last month alone, her stall made a profit of $23,000.

The muffins, at $1 each, come in 12 flavours, such as oreo, mocha and cocoa chips.

She is not taking things for granted.

'Maintenance is important. You have to make sure that the quality of the muffins is consistently good so that customers will come back,' said Madam Ow, whose husband is a construction manager. They have no children.

Her husband and her nephew are the co-owners of the stall, which is run with the help of her mother, aunt and a chef.

Besides constantly looking out for new flavours to add to her menu, she is also opening a second outlet at IMM this week. Her nephew will help oversee it.

Formerly a public relations executive at a construction firm, Madam Ow said of her career switch: 'I just gave it a go. If you don't set it up, you never know. And it has way exceeded my expectations.'

Chen Meiyue