WORKHOUSE

While previously working in the IT sector for large multinational companies, Eric Pang always knew he wanted to start something he could call his own. With a keen eye for the market and a burning passion, he managed to find like minded partners and together they founded Thoughts Igniters.

“Working in MNCs was stifling,” Eric recounts. “It took ages for an initiative to get approved. I wanted the freedom to make changes that would impact the business.”

Working on creating mobile apps with a focus on connecting customers to merchants, Eric has worked with an array of clients from fashion brands, FnB services and the travel industry. Laying down the foundation, Eric designed a pre-build which encompasses all the core functions and he is able to customise the application to their clients needs. By building off an existing base, Eric is able to provide cost effective solutions to his clients application needs and have it prepared in one month.

Working together with Bali tourism board and Wonderful Indonesia, one of Eric’s pet projects is the Bali Coupon application. Providing a “mobile tour desk”, Bali Coupon offers many unique experiences at discounted rates. The activities are also linked to Tripadvisor, giving users an ease of mind with reviews and avoiding the hassle of dealing with dubious tour desks.

“We always help clients build their applications with the end user in mind,” Eric says. “That’s why Bali Coupon even has an emergency contact function. It’s everything a tourist in Bali would need for a full, safe holiday experience!”

Traveling often, Workhouse has been convenient and flexible base of operations for Eric and his team.

“The flexibility of the workspace, community events and especially the 24/7 access has really made Workhouse a great coworking environment that fits our needs,” Eric shares. “We were initially using Workhouse while on transit looking for another workspace but we’ve really grown to like it here.”

Thoughts Igniters has been doing well but as part of the IT industry, Eric understands he can never rest on his laurels.

For eight years, Edmund Liew worked as an industrial designer in companies such as Shimano Singapore, Akar de Nissim and Why Brand Design, helping companies to design & visualize the products they were trying to create, ranging from mobile phones to furniture.

“Working for my previous French bosses was very inspiring,” He recalls. “Watching them start their own business gave me the courage to explore what I enjoy doing.”

Edmund struck out on his own in February 2014 and started his own design consultancy called 5 Squares Studio. Helping clients with branding, product design and providing consultation services, Edmund has worked with a range of SMEs and Singapore brands by giving their aspirations shape.

“I wanted to give this a go while I’m still young,” Edmund chuckles. “Being my own boss gives me the flexibility to do what I want.”

As one of the first few residents of Workhouse, Edmund has seen Workhouse go through many transformations.

“I’ve seen everything that Workhouse has faced and I love that it steers away from the conventional,” He shares. “The energy here is creative and inspiration which is really important to me!”

Edmund has dreams of becoming a creative leader and one day, inspiring and mentoring young individuals. While he’s not busy competing in design competitions and working on concept furniture, he likes to unwind by defeating worthy adversaries in Street Fighter VI. If you think you are up for it, Edmund is ready to take on all challengers.

Rain or shine, one thing that doesn’t change is the whirling sound of chains as David Praire coasts down to Workhouse everyday. A fan of cycling to work, he values the convenience that his bike offers him when traveling around Singapore.

“Cycling is the fastest way to get to work, or anywhere else in Singapore for that matter,” David shares. “It’s also good training for my next triathlon, although I do wish the Taxi Uncles here would be more friendly to cyclists.” Transferred here two years ago by his previous company, David has since fallen in love with Singapore and the amazing food our island has to offer. Dim sum, curry, tropical fruits and many more are all on his favourite food list however he admits has yet to acquire a taste for the iconic king of fruits, the Durian. During his time here, David met Dominique, an early partner of Elico Corp in Shanghai. “2014 was a year of expansion for Elico and Dominique realised the potential Singapore held,” David recalls. “Soon enough, Dominique asked me to open the Singapore branch with him.” As the Co-founder for Elico Solutions’ Singapore branch, David works as a project manager helping companies to implement the business software Odoo. An open source and integrated business software, they are able to customize or build specific modules to cater to the unique needs any business might have ranging from customer relationship management to human relations, logistics, accounting and many more. Since David spends a lot of time at Workhouse, he appreciates the convenience the space has to offer his team. “Workhouse is a fantastic place in many aspects. It is spacious, very well-designed, not too big, with an easy-going and friendly environment,” David says. “We also like it because it is very central, reasonably-priced, and only a 5-minute ride from home! It is the perfect mix for us.” While David isn’t busy working, he enjoys the challenge of pushing his limits as a fresh Triathlon addict.

Every week, we will be featuring one of our Workhouse residents in our #WHresident articles. This week, we have a nutrition coach that has been operating out of Workhouse over the last few months.

Aqilah Norazman, founder of 15PAW Nutrition is the picture of health. As a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, she eats healthy, enjoys running and is constantly pushing to best her personal record of 102kg on the deadlift. However, just five years ago, Aqilah weighed in at 86kg and was struggling in a torrent of diet and nutrition information looking for a plan that worked for her.

While Aqilah was able to lose weight early on, she found that her problem was keeping to her diets and often found herself putting the weight right back on.

“Losing the weight is hard,” Aqilah shares. “But maintaining the weight loss is so much harder!”

After going through a roller coaster of emotions and weight loss and gains, she managed to shed and maintain her weight loss of over 20kg. Aqilah has attributed her success story to her education and training in nutrition and is now leading her own clients on a path of sustainable wellness.

Her program has evolved over time. While starting out as a 15 week program, she now has a year long whole food habit-based coaching program where she tracks her members progress through consultations and online updates.

“When it comes down to it, keeping the weight loss is really about one’s habits and having a supportive mentor,” Aqilah recalls her own experiences. “That’s why I value educating and mentoring my clients on how to craft fitness and health goals.”

Today she operates from Workhouse, meeting clients and holding seminars for her followers in their meeting rooms. Looking for a place away from home to base herself at, Workhouse was a perfect fit for her needs.

Workhouse is proud to release the first of our Resident Profiles. Every week we will be featuring one of our members and how they got to where they are now. For our first week, we have the ever sharp looking co-founder ofEdit Suits Co., Patrick Jungo.

Before Patrick joined Edit Suits Co., he spent seven years in investment banking based in London. While there, he realised the trouble busy professionals had to go through to acquire quality menswear. However, when travelling through Asia, it became clear that tailoring is quite affordable in Asian cities and most working professionals choose to tailor their business attire rather than overpaying for branded off-the-rack clothes with poor fits.

“I’ve seen how accessible custom menswear is in Asia but the options in Europe are really limited,” Patrick says. Realising a gap in the market and his interest to take on an entrepreneurial opportunity, he joined Reto Peter as Co-Founder at Edit Suits Co. with a mission, “to make shopping for menswear conveniently accessible, worldwide.”

Leveraging on technology, Edit Suits Co. has managed to provide a high standard of service and convenience to their customers. Their mobile outfitters meet customers at their office or home, or at the showroom at Workhouse. Customers are presented with hundreds of fabrics, measurements are taken on the spot, and the finished garments are delivered within 2 - 3 weeks. The measurements and customisations for each customer are saved in their online profile, so future reorders are just a few clicks away.

With such impeccable service, the success of Edit Suits Co. is no surprise. “We are making good progress in London and Singapore and we are soon preparing our expansion in other international markets,” shares Patrick.

Previously, the company was based in Pasir Panjang, operating out of a warehouse which provided a bigger space but it was a little outside of town.

Co-working space is an economical work place for entrepreneurs and freelancers. However, before you decide to work in a co-working space, consider these 4 things.

1. Nature of co-working space

Co-working space offers an environment where you can work and meet a lot of people, from entrepreneurs, freelancers, to solo-workers. They are also meeting clients, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences. This is a good place for collaboration, but if you are not used to work in an open, energetic environment, you might find it rather disruptive.

2. The culture and environment of the space

There are many co-working spaces in Singapore. Each has its unique culture and environment. They also have their own events and programs. This, hence, attracts different groups of people. The design of the space also plays a role, so look for a place that you feel comfortable. Before you set your mind on a space, try to visit a few to find the best fit for you.

3. Facilities

You can have a checklist of things you want in a work space. Here are a few things that you might want to consider:

- Meeting rooms

- Printing & Scanning services

- Locker availability

- Snacks & Drinks

- Internet speed

- Other services

4. Budget and contract

Co-working spaces also vary in price and period of commitment. You can find out the price online, or contact them. Most of the time, they will have various packages to suit tenant’s need. Some have flexible options while other might require you to commit for a certain period. Do take these into considerations when you are comparing co-working spaces.

Try visiting the space and find more about it. If possible, talk to the people working there to see what it is really like.

We get asked this question a lot. Why start a co-working space? Where did the idea come from?

It began when we took a trip to New York last year and happened to meet a legal firm in one of the WeWork spaces. It was strange yet intriguing to see a graphic designer sat in a single person cube working on his designs, while opposite him was a DJ working on his mixes. Oh, and also free beer for everyone!

The shared space concept had of course been present in Singapore earlier and especially popular among the tech start-up community.

But what intrigued us more about shared workspaces was the DIVERSITY such a space could hold and the innovation, betterment and productivity the diversity would foster.

And that's what Workhouse is really about. It's about sharing, collaboration, ideas, conversations and building a community. 

Find some of our early inspirations below #coworking #singapore