THE STRAITS TIMES > SME SPOTLIGHT > ONE-ON-ONE
Getting into the Loopz
WONG Lilin thinks conviction is key to staying on track in any business. The actress-turned-entrepreneur has transformed her passion for the Pilates exercise system into an exercise band product that she believes is better for everyone.
From the Royal Ballet to the royal family, she appears to be making a steady step into the business world too.
She tells Straitstimes.com editor Joanne Lee how she's brought an idea to market from scratch. (8 min 19 secs)
Courting the Heartlands
COURTS (Singapore)has been strategically moving away from urban locations and currently has nine outlets in the HDB heartlands in Singapore.
The furniture and electronic retailer, which employs 600 staff, has grown past SME status and is now aspiring to be an MNC.
CEO Terry O' Connor recounts to Straitstimes.com Editor Joanne Lee the different lessons COURTS has learnt in its 36 years of business in Singapore and its wish for the Year of the Tiger.
(6 min 55 secs)
Designing the growth of business
IT'S been winning awards and accolades, so Air Division's decision to concentrate on design in the furniture business has paid off.
The local furniture design company, which has been busy over the last few years acquiring customers in Europe, is aiming this year to grow its base in Australia.
Managing Director Michael Toh tells Straitstimes.com Editor Joanne Lee how the designer has grown and expanded over its last 10 years. (8 min 12 secs)
Creating a new jet set for HDB facial-goers
JUST a few weeks into opening shop at Toa Payoh Central and start-up facial and skincare company Jet Concepts is already thinking of expanding both locally and globally.
Unlike other spa businesses, it's positioning itself away from the luxury sector towards a low-priced mass-market concept, despite big investments into Israel-manufactured facial machines and its own product line.
Managing director Jordan Cheng tells straitstimes editor Joanne Lee why Jet Concepts chose to launch despite the trying times. (7 min 44 secs)
Recycling to grow a diversified business
SAMWOH Corporation, which won this year's Enterprise 50 Awards last week, is going big on the green theme to grow its $300 million annual business.
The building materials and construction company, which is now 1,000-strong in Singapore, is now moving into its new building in Kranji - the first in Singapore to be built completely out of recycled construction materials.
Managing Director Elvin Koh tells straitstimes.com Editor Joanne Lee about Samwoh's successes and the company's diversification strategy. (9 min 52 secs)
Expanding vertically to meet the travel challenge
CTC Holidays' Managing Director Wee Hee Ling tells Straitstimes.com Editor Joanne Lee why her company chose to diversify to head off competition in the travel agency business.
Last month, her company launched its first boutique hotel in Shanghai and plans are underway to roll out at least 10 such hotels over the next five years.
Hear how CTC Holidays is meeting the challenges in a space that is increasingly losing market share to the online trend. (7 min 18 secs)
