We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Wak, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the allure of vintage treasures, engendering a lifelong passion for collecting historical artifacts and unique furniture. In 2021, my wife and I transformed our shared enthusiasm into reality, officially establishing our company, Treasure At Home, and providing a physical store for enthusiasts to treasure hunt. Despite the challenging pressures brought about by COVID-19, which significantly impacted Singapore, we persevered, leveraging online platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase, and sell our curated items. Most importantly, we aim to educate the masses about the beauty and historical context of such vintage pieces, building up a new generation of vintage lovers.

My expertise lies in the careful restoration of furniture, honed through years of apprenticeship under renowned Peranakan restoration Sifus. Meanwhile, my lovely wife, Yana, brings her deep knowledge of porcelain to our collection, spanning from exquisite Peranakan wares to delicate English pieces. Together, we strive to offer a unique and immersive experience for fellow connoisseurs of history and vintage charm.

For us, passion is the driving force behind our business endeavors. Our mission is to offer our valued clients truly exceptional pieces – what I like to call “statement pieces” – that leave a lasting impression. These treasures are not only valuable in monetary terms but also in sentimental value. Each item we curate carries with it a story, a piece of history and memories that resonate with us and Singaporeans. We believe that the pieces we grew up with possess a unique and enduring value, both in terms of their historical significance and the emotions they evoke. Our goal is to share these treasures with our clients, providing them with an opportunity to own something truly extraordinary and something to pass down their generations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

With humble beginnings, husband and wife team started this passion obsession Treasure At Home as a partnership (53268929A) in 2012. This passion has since seen the couple move from being restorers of antique furniture in the business to consumer segment to that of specialising in manufacturing, distribution, consulting, and pre-market development of vintage and contemporary furniture and art pieces. With this new directional focus in the business to business segment, with clients ranging from restaurants, to home business re-sellers & interior designers, to primary distributors, to corporate offices and even museums, the owners decided to enhance the corporate structure of business operations and thus, in 2021 incorporated TREASURE AT HOME PTE LTD.

This amalgamation directed that the founders’ organisational vision would be that of being able to bring to market all forms of products to suit a multi array of customer base both via channels of traditional brick and mortar outlets, to that of the virtual realm. In essence, whether you are a seasoned vintage collector of fine one of a kind pieces, or a corporation looking for mass produced pieces, you will be spoiled for choices with TREASURE AT HOME PTE LTD.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

To build our audience on social media, we’ve employed a “show, not tell” approach, showcasing our extensive expertise in the field. As an experienced restorer, I educate our clients on the intricacies of different wood types, discussing their pros and cons and recommending the most suitable ones for Singapore’s climate.

Authenticity is paramount in social media and we embrace this by staying true to ourselves. In our videos, we communicate in Singlish, connecting with our Singaporean clients on a more personal level. In a sea of mundane content, we strive to stand out by being genuine and relatable, knowing that people appreciate authenticity over artificiality.

Any advice for managing a team?

When it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale, especially in our family-run business, fostering a sense of camaraderie and enjoyment is key. As treasure hunters, we often embark on overseas hunts, which can be physically demanding with long days of walking. To keep spirits high, we emphasise the importance of having fun during our vintage hunts. Taking breaks to relax at a cafe, sipping coffee and enjoying the local atmosphere before moving on to the next destination helps rejuvenate us. Additionally, incorporating occasional days off dedicated to leisure activities such as visiting amusement parks, further boosts morale and strengthens our bond as a team. By prioritising enjoyment alongside hard work, we ensure that everyone feels valued and motivated in their roles within our family business.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treasure_at_home?igsh=eXZrcHdnaDljd3B3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treasureathome?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treasureathome?_t=8l6IayJKQIp&_r=1