Sell fish? It earns more money
By Linette Heng
The New Paper
Friday, Oct 18, 2013
He dreamt of becoming a writer at a young age.
But more than 10 years later, Mr Khor Chin Puang wields a knife instead of a pen for a living.
The bespectacled 29-year-old is a fishmonger and has been one for five years now.
He has five workers and owns stalls in four markets, at Tiong Bahru, Redhill, Farrer Road and Bendemeer.
Dressed in a blue shirt with the word "Pan's Fish" emblazoned on the sleeve, the young man stands out among the older stallholders at Tiong Bahru Market.
Aside from his age, there is another fact that would catch people by surprise - Mr Khor is a university graduate.
Five years ago, he graduated with a degree in communications from the Singapore Institute of Management. He also has a business diploma from Singapore Polytechnic.
But he ended up fishmongering as he earned more money doing so and because he sees it as his "calling".
With the encouragement of his mother, also a fishmonger at Tiong Bahru Market, Mr Khor dabbled in the seafood business before he graduated from his part-time degree course.
"She is not the type who will insist that I get an office job just because I have a degree. In fact, she is quite an entrepreneur herself," he said.
His first stall at Redhill was a success and he applied for another stall in a month.
Although Mr Khor does not regret studying for his degree, his gamble paid off and he has never looked back.
As a matter of fact, he admits that he earns "slightly more" than his peers in such fields as banking and accounting.
"When I was younger, I was not focused and had many ambitions. Now, I know my calling and the seafood trade is everything I think about," he said.
Mr Khor's stall is popular with many aunties who are his loyal customers.
"He is very polite and most importantly, he is very honest," said Madam Tan, 62, who was at Tiong Bahru Market with her granddaughter and helper.
Runs in the family
Mr Khor's budding career in the fish trade started from a young age.
His mother and a few uncles entered the fishmongering business when he was 15 and he started off by helping his mother to collect money at her stall at Tiong Bahru Market.
By Linette Heng
The New Paper
Friday, Oct 18, 2013
He dreamt of becoming a writer at a young age.
But more than 10 years later, Mr Khor Chin Puang wields a knife instead of a pen for a living.
The bespectacled 29-year-old is a fishmonger and has been one for five years now.
He has five workers and owns stalls in four markets, at Tiong Bahru, Redhill, Farrer Road and Bendemeer.
Dressed in a blue shirt with the word "Pan's Fish" emblazoned on the sleeve, the young man stands out among the older stallholders at Tiong Bahru Market.
Aside from his age, there is another fact that would catch people by surprise - Mr Khor is a university graduate.
Five years ago, he graduated with a degree in communications from the Singapore Institute of Management. He also has a business diploma from Singapore Polytechnic.
But he ended up fishmongering as he earned more money doing so and because he sees it as his "calling".
With the encouragement of his mother, also a fishmonger at Tiong Bahru Market, Mr Khor dabbled in the seafood business before he graduated from his part-time degree course.
"She is not the type who will insist that I get an office job just because I have a degree. In fact, she is quite an entrepreneur herself," he said.
His first stall at Redhill was a success and he applied for another stall in a month.
Although Mr Khor does not regret studying for his degree, his gamble paid off and he has never looked back.
As a matter of fact, he admits that he earns "slightly more" than his peers in such fields as banking and accounting.
"When I was younger, I was not focused and had many ambitions. Now, I know my calling and the seafood trade is everything I think about," he said.
Mr Khor's stall is popular with many aunties who are his loyal customers.
"He is very polite and most importantly, he is very honest," said Madam Tan, 62, who was at Tiong Bahru Market with her granddaughter and helper.
Runs in the family
Mr Khor's budding career in the fish trade started from a young age.
His mother and a few uncles entered the fishmongering business when he was 15 and he started off by helping his mother to collect money at her stall at Tiong Bahru Market.
If you start early, you will save a bundle for not spending for private tuition and helping them pay for tertiary education. Also, you can send them to any primary school.
