DELEGATE: Tell us more about yourself
I’m the founder of Nail Deck, a company I started 6 years ago as a distributor and retailer of nail polish brands. Today, Nail Deck is a brand of its own that specialises in bespoke colours for its customers. When I’m not working, I’m dad to my 2 year old son and train for triathlons in the hopes of qualifying for the Ironman world championships one day.
D: What is your vision/ mission for your company?
My vision for Nail Deck is for it to be a global brand leader in customised cosmetics.
D: How did you start your business? What were some adversities you faced when your first started out?
I started this business as a young, naïve and inexperienced student in my final year of university. My girlfriend at that point in time (now my wife) had wanted to purchase a colour-changing nail polish from the US but they did not ship single orders all the way to Singapore. I was on an entrepreneurship program in NUS at that point in time (called NOC) and I was constantly trying to find new business opportunities. Long story short, I became the official distributor for this brand in Singapore and started importing it in to sell to salons, retailers and end consumers.
The biggest adversity when I started out was a group-buying campaign I did with one of the Groupon clones in 2012 where I did not realise that I was losing money on every item sold. Very unfortunately, that campaign was very successful and about 300 plus bottles were sold in under 24 hours. I fulfilled the orders crying over every item that was shipped.
D: Any trade secrets you can reveal?
Unfortunately not! Hahaha
D: Most memorable experience since starting your business?
That would most definitely be doing a video with Xiaxue on Clicknetwork!
D: What is one thing you would like your customers to know about your company?
Nail Deck started as a B2B distributor of nail brands from overseas, then a direct B2C retailer through push-carts, and today, it is a brand of its own.
D: What was your first job?
Nail Deck is technically my first job because I started it before I graduated from university. But officially, my first job working for another company was as a management associate at Red Dot Ventures dealing with technology startup investments.
D: What aspects of your personality can we see in your work?
Attention to detail. I am a bit of a pixel Nazi making sure all my marketing collaterals are perfectly aligned and spaced correctly. It wastes a lot of precious time but I can’t help myself.
D: What is one thing people don’t know about you?
My left pinky is permanently painted with nail polish.
D: How would you describe your personal style?
I’d like to believe I’m preppy outside of work. At work I tend to be more smart casual but I try to let a bit of my (colourful) character peek out through quirky socks.
D: What are your hobbies and passions outside of work?
Not many will relate to this but my biggest passion is actually training and competing in running and triathlon races. Other than that, I also like to collect espresso cups from around the world and I’m currently teaching myself to create marbling designs on cups and plates.
D: Which habits of yours have gotten you to where you are today?
As a competitive athlete for most of my life, waking up early to train has been a habit I cultivated since young. I believe this is one of the best habits that have helped me get to where I am today.
D: How do you spend your weekends/ free time?
Majority of my weekends and free time are spent on hanging out with my wife and kid or training for races.
D: Any future plans in the pipeline?
Yes! We’ve been a nail lacquer brand for a long time, and soon we will be releasing custom liquid lipsticks too.
D: Who was your biggest influence when you were starting out?
My friend Kenneth who started a successful bicycle business with no business background and experience. This was in 2010 at a time when my plan was to just graduate from university and get a job. He made me realise that anything is possible if you want it badly enough.
D: In your own words, starting your own business is…
the most empowering thing you could do for yourself and your family.
D: Top 3 things you would do with a friend who is visiting Singapore for the first time.
- A visit to the Bukit Brown cemetery/ park.
- A 10km hike around Macritchie Reservoir.
- Eat roti prata.
D: One quote that you live by.
“If you throw shit on the wall enough times, one day it will stick.”
D: Where can we find out more about you and your business?
Tired of the same old boring door gifts? Nail down your gift game with Nail Deck’s bespoke lacquers. Perfect for weddings, parties and corporate events, create unique concoctions for your guests and find the ultimate nail shade that’ll help them rake in the compliments!
Opt for novelty for your next event! We promise these bottles will get snapped up in no time.
