Photo: The Golden Concepts

For coffee with cofounders this week, we are happy to feature a relatively new startup based in Singapore – The Golden Concepts. The Golden Concepts was founded by Vanessa Keng and Lee Changxi and focuses on unique range of gifts and home assistive devices for the golden generation. e27 got in touch with the two energetic ladies and found out about the story behind the startup.

How did you and Chang meet?
Vanessa: We met in the National University of Singapore (NUS) Kent Ridge Hall. Chang Xi was a famous athlete and I was just a rockstar wanna-be.
Changxi: When I went around at 6am waking people up for inter-block games training, Vanessa was the only person who greeted me with an enthusiastic “Hello”.

Why did the two of you decide to take the plunge together?
Vanessa: Yup we know each other’s quirks and we always felt we work well together. Chang Xi works well in the night and I work well in the mornings, so we practically cover all 24 hours.
Changxi: We know each other really well, having gone through so much- working on countless projects during university, undergoing intensive training for inter-hall games, jamming together and also going on student exchange as well as traveling around for six whole months.

Photo: The Golden Concepts

Did any of you feel like quitting at any one point of time?
Vanessa: Sometimes it seems difficult and you wonder why not just quit and get a normal job. But challenging myself is precisely what I like about starting my own business, and I’ve learnt so much since I started. Plus I love the idea of creating something new and something that can create value for others.
Changxi: There are a lot of huge decisions and challenges we face, but somehow we always give each other pep talks and we usually move on to focus on the bigger picture- what we want to achieve for our business.

How supportive is your family towards your entrepreneurial endeavors?
Vanessa: My brother started his own business when he was 20, so my parents are quite used to it. But I guessed they never really thought I would want to start my own business right after graduating. After I told them my reasons and what I was aiming to build, they understood and are behind me 100%.
Changxi: My family is very supportive- since I’m the first entrepreneur in the family and it’s always a great story to tell I guess haha.

Photo: The Golden Concepts

How is the business doing now?
Vanessa: Business is picking up; we are currently looking at new ways and ideas to adopt to ensure our business gets as much opportunity as it should.
Changxi: We’re constantly on the look-out to improve out business model and also to re-invent ourselves. Everyday is exciting.

If you were given a choice to do this all over again, would you and why?
Vanessa: Definitely. It certainly isn’t easy, but passion and drive enables you to overcome all sorts of challenges that are being thrown at you and keeps you going.
Changxi: Of course! It’s a path I have chosen and it is something I am extremely passionate about.

So feel free to check out the cool stuff on The Golden Concepts and we at e27 wishes them all the best!