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ENTREPRENEURS
65
January14
J O H A R R I S ON w a s a l r e a d y
working at Expat Auctions when
ROB PENDERGRAST bought the
business in 2010. Together, they
launched
Singapore Trading Post
in
September last year, selling a distinctive
range of homeware inspired by
Singapore’s colonial past.
What brought you to Singapore?
Both of us moved here as “expat wives”
in support of our spouses’ careers.
Jo arrived from England in 2007 with
husband Chris and three children,
and Rob moved here in 2010 with wife
Stephanie and two children.
What gave you the business idea?
Jo was inspired by reading Noel
Barber’s evocative story of forbidden
love,
Tanamera
, set in 1930s Singapore;
for her, Singapore Trading Post is a
sort of homage to the romance of the
colonial age.
Rob used to have antique shops
and loves sharing his finds with others.
What’s more, Expat Auctions was
constantly being asked for smaller
decorative pieces. Plus, when people
buy a bed or sofa at auction they often
want sheets, cushions or throws, so
there was a clear opportunity to present
a more complete offering.
Why this particular location?
We set up our store in the same location
that Expat Auctions has been in for more
than five years: Citilink Warehouse in
Pasir Panjang Road. This minimises our
overheads and also means that clients
coming to the auction house for viewing
and auction days can also check out
the store.
We’re well aware that more than 50
percent of new businesses fail in the
first year, so keeping our overheads
under control is important; iwwt allows
us to offer the best value for money to
our customers.
With so many furniture and
home accessory businesses in
Singapore, what makes your
business special?
We created the business with our
#2 Singapore Trading Post
It’s important
to partner
with someone
who makes
you laugh…
and keep on
laughing