The Triumphant Rise of Surrey Hills Grocer: A Journey of Grit and Perseverance
Nestled amidst the vibrant streets of Singapore, Surrey Hills Grocer stands tall as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its founder, Pang Gek Teng. This Australian-inspired grocer and café boasts a thriving presence with five bustling locations across the city-state. But behind this facade of success lies a story of resilience and unwavering determination.
The Spark of Entrepreneurship Amidst Academic Dissatisfaction
Pang’s journey towards business ownership took an unconventional path. Growing up in Singapore, she felt like an outsider in the academic world, a square peg struggling to fit into a round hole. Her parents encouraged her to follow the well-trodden path of university and a stable career, but her heart yearned for something different.
A Banker with a Dream
In 2008, Pang moved to Australia to pursue higher education. After graduating with a management and marketing degree, she embarked on a banking career, but her soul yearned for more fulfilling work. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant for something greater than crunching numbers behind a desk.
The Entrepreneurial Odyssey
Driven by passion, Pang decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge in 2015. Over the next few years, she poured her heart and soul into launching five different businesses, ranging from a tour agency to a home-cooked food delivery service. But despite her best efforts, each venture ended in disappointment.
Defiance in the Face of Adversity
Undeterred by her failures, Pang refused to succumb to the allure of a comfortable and predictable life. She decided to return to Singapore, where she found herself with only 362 Australian dollars to her name. With determination as her compass, she set out to carve a new path for herself.
The Million-Dollar Idea: Serendipity in a Singaporean Drive
In 2021, as Pang reminisced about her time in Sydney’s charming Surry Hills neighborhood, an idea sparked within her. She envisioned bringing the warmth and culinary delights of Australian grocer-cafés to the vibrant streets of Singapore.
She presented her vision to Alvin Lau, a family friend who believed in her entrepreneurial spirit and invested a substantial sum of 400,000 Singapore dollars. With unwavering support and a shared dream, Surrey Hills Grocer was born.
From Humble Beginnings to Exponential Growth
Pang opened her first Surrey Hills Grocer store in December 2021, and the response was electric. Customers flocked to the café for its cozy atmosphere, gourmet groceries, and unique culinary offerings. Within a short span of time, four additional locations were opened.
Today, Surrey Hills Grocer is a multimillion-dollar enterprise with plans to surpass its 2023 revenue of million. Pang is also venturing into new culinary frontiers, with plans to open a Japanese ramen restaurant, a Spanish restaurant, and a Taiwanese shabu restaurant in the near future.
Lessons Learned Along the Path to Success
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Pang shares three key lessons she has learned:
- Control the Controllables: Prepare meticulously for the aspects within your influence, and have unwavering faith in the things you cannot control.
- Embrace Failure as a Motivator: Fear of failure is inevitable, but it should not paralyze your dreams. Instead, channel it into a relentless drive to succeed.
- Listen to Your Gut and Seize Opportunities: Trust your instincts and take calculated risks when you encounter promising prospects.
Pang’s unwavering belief in her vision and her refusal to be defined by setbacks serve as an inspiring reminder that success is not a destination but a continuous journey fueled by audacity and resilience.
Data sourced from: cnbc.com
