Student-run Small Businesses You Need to Know



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In the midday heat, as you get off the bus at UTown to head to class or meet up with a friend for lunch, you might be lucky enough to spot a trove of stylish second-hand clothing and unique handmade accessories glinting in the sunlight, as if they were treasures waiting for you. From racks of the coolest cargo pants and vintage tees to eclectically designed jewellery and accessories, it is nothing short of a shopper’s paradise (or nightmare, if you are on a spending ban). You would be forgiven, however, if you have yet to stumble upon these pop-up events or know little of the small businesses run by none other than students just like you.

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While NUS is renowned for a myriad of reasons, one facet of student life that deserves a brighter spotlight is our very own small business scene. These pop-up fairs (usually organised as part of fundraising efforts by the NUS Rotaract Club) are just one piece of a vibrant mosaic fashioned by student sellers who are creating a lively small business scene here in NUS. Each of these young entrepreneurs have their own niche and cult following, forming a network that extends across campus and even beyond. 

These tight-knit communities were not formed overnight, but nurtured through great care. Intentionality is key, as seen in the painstaking hours these business owners spend crafting jewellery, doing quality checks on hundreds of clothing pieces and engaging with customers both online and offline. This human touch is the cornerstone of these businesses’ popularity and is as important to the individual sellers as much as the customers. Shermaine (Biz, Year 3), the face behind AhMa Thrifts and co-owner of Hikari Space (a curated store located in Queensway Shopping Center), shares about a surprising turn of events that led to a customer becoming her best friend. “One of my closest friends was actually someone who had bought from me online, and we later met each other in a school camp as OGLs (Orientation Group Leaders),” she recounts. “We immediately had a common love of vintage clothes and because of that prior interaction, we were able to have a bond that later blossomed into a friendship.”

“We immediately had a common love of vintage clothes and because of that prior interaction, we were able to have a bond that later blossomed into a friendship.”

SECOND HAND CLOTHING 

It was the generous outpourings of support that Shermaine received that transformed AhMa Thrifts from what began as a closet purge into a passion project of curating clothing that speaks to her own personal style. Born from a love for what she calls “animal lover” and “granny core” tees (fitting given her shop’s name), AhMa Thrifts offers more than just classic vintage t-shirts, boasting a range of apparel from fitted baby tees to baggy Harley Davidson shirts, jorts and reworked accessories like Nike sling bags. Aside from tuning into her drops on Telegram (ahma.thrifts store), you can find her pieces in person at Hikari Space, a space she co-founded which stocks secondhand clothing alongside a rotation of new accessory vendors every month. 

Shermaine also continues to take part in pop-ups, having had a booth at The Hammock Market—a “thrift party” pooling together secondhand sellers and curated personalities every other Saturday—a total of 19 times. “The sweetest part [of running this business] is when my regular customers showed up at pop-ups with snacks and drinks as gifts for me, which further motivated me as I can see the community that has formed because of our collective love for vintage clothing!”

“The sweetest part [of running this business] is when my regular customers showed up at pop-ups with snacks and drinks as gifts for me, which further motivated me as I can see the community that has formed because of our collective love for vintage clothing!”

Another iconic player in the secondhand scene that has amassed a loyal base of customers is Woofie Co, a brand beloved by those with a penchant for eye-catching pants. Whether you are a maximalist who loves ultra-utilitarian cargos with too many pockets to count, or a lover of bootcut denim jeans, Woofie’s got you. Her Instagram drops garner a ton of hype (fastest fingers first!), but you can still snag some of her curations for lower prices through her Telegram channel (Woofie’s Sales). 

For those on a budget, you need to check out Woofie’s Warehouse nestled in Golden Landmark Mall, at the heart of Bugis. The self-service thrift store blew up on TikTok for its student-friendly pricing. Tees, jerseys, varsity jackets, branded zip-ups, camisoles, knits, denim skirts, and of course cargo shorts and jeans—all for just $10!

Given the store’s immense popularity, Desiree (CHS, Year 3) and her partner Matthew (CHS, Year 1), the owners of the booming business, often burn the midnight oil to wash and rack up new items every week. “Owning a brick and mortar store means an additional responsibility to ensure that we have enough supply to meet the demand on a daily basis, as compared to a more flexible (OTOT) schedule with an online-only store.” The couple’s tireless commitment to the business is a testament to their love for what they do. Desiree commented, “I also feel really blessed to be able to pursue something I am truly passionate about, while also learning more about entrepreneurship and my strengths and weaknesses!” 

“I also feel really blessed to be able to pursue something I am truly passionate about, while also learning more about entrepreneurship and my strengths and weaknesses!” 

Starting a business may seem daunting, but if I have learnt anything from my peers in this community, it is that passion is fundamental for any aspiring entrepreneur. Shermaine and Desiree’s love for vintage propelled them to success. Likewise, my love for fashion opened my eyes to the small business scene, when I first visited vintage pop-ups and dipped my toes into the secondhand world. Meeting such inspiring small business owners pushed me to transform my lifelong interest in fashion and the environment into a passion project and philanthropic initiative. All that is to say, if you are passionate about something, you already have one of the most valuable tools needed to start your own business. The rest is just a learning curve. 

Second hand stores have dedicated themselves to providing youths an avenue to experiment with their style by creating looks of their own. Gen Z’s thoughtfully assembled outfits, dripping with distinctive details from playful silhouettes to the eye-catching accessories they adorn themselves with, serve as windows into their unique personalities.  

HANDMADE JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES 

In the small business scene, this sense of unbridled creativity starts at the source. Look no further than our local crafters and jewellery makers. 

One business looking to play with the boundaries of self-expression is Crocadoodee, which specialises in affordable handmade rope jewellery for all. Rykiel (Biz, Year 2), the creative behind the brand, shares, “When creating accessories, I disregard the idea of gender (more feminine/masculine styles, for example) and simply create what I want based on my inspirations.” 

Rykiel’s creations have been featured in the trendiest curated stores, including Anteiku Studios, Bhabie’s Market, Hikari Space, SSALTY THRIFTS and more. A simple scroll on her Instagram shop (@crocadoodee) will reveal a wonder of gems for sale. 

Beaded accessories have been a mainstay in the local market, but small businesses are beginning to expand beyond. PEACHPAO is a small business that is passionate about style, design, and innovation in the world of accessories. Mabel (CDE, Y4) hopes to take the success of PEACHPAO one step further, venturing out to incorporate 3D printed parts in her keychain designs.

Her works are usually sold offline at various pop-ups. Keep up with her Instagram to know when and where you can find her items! 

Some creators have also chosen less conventional mediums to make their accessories, like polymer clay. Teho Clock was made for those looking to add a touch of whimsy to their outfits with necklaces, earrings and rings featuring adorable ducks and frogs, as well as beloved characters from franchises like Studio Ghibli. Trinity’s eclectic mix of designs are inspired by her interests in popular movies, games and characters.There are even trinket trays for sale, if your room needs a bit of sprucing up as well.

“From a young age, I have always had an interest in miniatures and its intricacies from the toy sets my parents bought me. I discovered clay as a medium around the age of 14, starting from cheaper air-dry clay to making a more hefty investment in pricier polymer clay (which needs to be baked in an oven to solidify),” Trinity (Biz, Year 2) reminisced. “Drawn to its versatility and the endless possibilities of what I could mould and shape it into, I continued to experiment with polymer clay and I am self-taught with the help of videos on Youtube!”

Her masterpieces are better seen in person given her great attention to detail in refining each piece, so you will likely find her at art and lifestyle fairs organised by small businesses like Mercury Fest (a bi-annual pop-up event bringing together popular creators and clothing vendors) and Hammock Market.

Caylee (CDE, Year 1 Masters) is yet another creator who loves experimenting with different materials and concepts in her works through her shop Strawberry Champagne Sparkles. Her main craft is wire-wrapping, which involves framing beautiful gemstones and crystals in intricate designs. Always seeking new ways to perfect her craft, she recently began incorporating tiny crystal beads into her works and making flower rings. She has also recently started dabbling in making and selling bespoke flower crowns, as well as redesigning and modifying old shoes. Her store is best described in her words, “I’m your one stop shop to make your accessory dreams come true!”

The individuals featured in this article have transformed mere transactions into touching moments of conversation and connection, and their businesses have thus become what Caylee describes as “third spaces”. The small business scene is where culture and community collide, where self-expression is celebrated and creativity is nurtured. The current fundraiser events held on campus that provide a crucial platform for small businesses are a step in the right direction, opening up a world of possibilities for more authentic and organic engagements between students. It is my hope that this growing scene may grow and evolve such that it becomes a hallmark of NUS student life, and continues to inspire generations of students to follow their passions. Only time will tell. 



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