This is not your average entrepreneurship story. It is, in fact, quite unconventional, yet extraordinary. This is how one night changed the course of everything by turning us into an entrepreneur.

As a child, I was always looking for ways to earn some additional pocket money so that I could buy an Old Chang Kee snack after school. One day, I was staring at my reef aquarium, and it struck me – I have so many corals; why don’t I sell some of them online? That experience was my first taste of entrepreneurship.

I had intended to pursue a business course as part of my polytechnic education but was rejected. Nonetheless, enrolling in Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Diploma in Mass Communication was a choice I never regretted. The course not only broadened my perspectives and gave me some of the best friends I have now, but it also taught me useful skills in areas such as public relations and digital marketing.

However, as I was still itching for something “business-y”, I applied for the Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) Programme that NP offered. That gave me the opportunity to take up a minor in entrepreneurship and gain knowledge about business and being an entrepreneur.

The beginnings of my entrepreneur journey

In one of my modules, I had the chance to participate in a sustainability-themed hackathon and pitch ideas to the judges. I’d formed a team with my fellow coursemates, but we had forgotten about the hackathon until the night before our presentation due to hectic schedules and our focus on our coursework. We were frantic and started brainstorming ideas that very night.

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We were almost out of ideas when I recalled fond memories of going to the farmers’ market with my mother to shop for fresh produce. I remember the long drive and how it was nearly impossible to reach the market by public transportation. The passion that our local farmers had for their trade and their produce was always heart-warming to see.

That was when I developed the idea. Why don’t we help these farmers bridge the gap and bring the farmers’ market closer to our housing estates? Furthermore, Singapore is working towards achieving the “30 by 30 plan” with targets to produce 30 per cent of the country’s nutritional needs by 2030. This meant more support was likely given to the farming industry – a bonus for our project!

Farmly was thus born out of a presentation done up in five hours that won us the hackathon and granted us the SG$5,000 (US$3,700) Kickstart Fund!

Building a budding business

Starting a business is never easy. As three inexperienced students trying to navigate the field of entrepreneurship, it took time for us to get the hang of things. Thankfully, with NP’s support, we were given an office space to facilitate brainstorming ideas and engage in day-to-day operations, as well as access to a network of opportunities to further our business.

Our mentor, Mr Allen Lee, the innovation manager at NP’s The Sandbox, played a crucial part in our business-building journey. His advice helped us to refine our business plan and also inspired the idea of adopting our expertise in marketing and design as the USP of our business.

That is why Farmly has the unique proposition of being a farmers’ market that brings fresh produce to local communities while serving as a marketing agency that helps farmers market their products online. This allowed us to differentiate ourselves from the competition, making us a more attractive option for our stakeholders.

A crucial part of a farmers’ market is the venue. We originally planned to have it indoors but realised that the charm of a farmers’ market lies in the bustling community surrounding it. This prompted us to realign our goals to host it at a convenient location and inspired us to look into various housing estates around Singapore. We eventually struck a deal with the Woodlands grassroots community and managed to secure a location sponsorship in an accessible neighbourhood.

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We are currently planning for our inaugural event to be held in December this year, around Christmas. There is still a long journey that lies ahead, but I believe we can make it.

Advice from an accidental entrepreneur

Initially, I was clueless about starting my own business. These are some lessons I have learnt and that I would love to share with anyone who might be on the fence about dipping their toes in entrepreneurship.

Identify what makes you one-of-a-kind: At the end of the day, no one remembers the ordinary, so don’t be normal, be extraordinary! Find what differentiates you from the rest because that will be the reason for your success.
Make use of the resources available: Building a business is a huge feat to take on alone. Being aware of the funds and support systems available, including the newly launched NP x Carousell Sustainability Lab for NP students. Getting the necessary help to support your dreams can take a significant weight off your shoulders.
Be detail-oriented: The littlest details matter, no matter how small. Be diligent and leave no stone unturned, as that one tiny detail you missed may turn out to be the most important one.
Find your motivation: Find what drives you because interest can only last you so long. Motivation is the real driving force behind hard work and perseverance.

Farmly was founded by SG Grounded, consisting of three Mass Communication students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Ernest, Sharlene and Preethika.

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This article was first published on June 13, 2023

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