MARCUS WEE, AFTERSHOCK PC

Twin brothers Marcus and Joe Wee took their common passion as children - gaming - and turned it into a thriving business.

Their childhood love became the foundation of Aftershock PC, the biggest boutique PC builder in Singapore.

Marcus, 36, had been tinke-ring with computer systems since his early teens, and loved gaming laptops.

He felt there was room for disruption, and offered customised PCs and laptops using quality components with complete after-sales support at lower prices.

The company began with just Marcus and a friend in a small shophouse in Serangoon Road in 2012.

It now occupies nine units in a light industrial building in Bendemeer and employs about 150 staff.

Joe came on board in 2013, while Marcus' original business partner exited after a year.

The company has also expanded operations to Malaysia and Australia, with showroom and production lines in both countries.

Aftershock is looking to expand to two more countries in the next year, said Marcus.

Its products have received critical acclaim, such as Best Gaming Notebook and Best Compact PC from leading media such as HardwareZone, The Straits Times and Geek Culture.

Sales have gone up by 30 per cent amid the pandemic as more people work from home and pick up gaming.

Despite its success, the company is not resting on its laurels.

"One of the real trials for a PC company is to keep going after it reaches a certain scale. As we expand, we have to maintain stability," said Marcus.