#92: Mayiduo on Choosing Business over School, Life in Interior Design & Media Plans

Internet sensation Kelvin Tan, more popularly known as Mayiduo, has an entrepreneurial journey that is an inspiring story of grit, growth, and unwavering vision. Leaving behind a traditional career path in ACCA to pursue his passion, Kelvin has built three thriving businesses, now earning $10 million in revenue.

 

In this episode of the NOTG Podcast, Melvin Lim from PropertyLimBrothers chats with Kelvin about his resilience and journey of self-discovery as an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and visionary behind EL Print, SG Interior Design, and Double Up Media. Learn how failures became Kelvin’s greatest mentors, shaping his mindset and teaching him invaluable lessons about leadership, communication, and perseverance. Kelvin will also share about the upcoming regulations and accreditations surrounding interior designers, and what he thinks about ID firms that disappear overnight.

 

Hear how he aligns his career with his personal mission, fostering creativity and pursuing his aspirations in filmmaking and the Southeast Asian movie industry. All these and more on this episode of NOTG!

 

Time Stamps

00:00 Intro
00:33 Mayiduo's education history
02:45 Advice for young entrepreneurs
05:30 Sustainable Success
06:24 Importance of specializing and honing in on your skills (Traits that lead to success)
07:47 Most important skill for success
09:06 Toughest challenge of being a business owner
10:32 Most rewarding part of being a business owner
11:45 "Which of your 3 businesses are you focusing on the most now?"
12:24 Globalisation and its impacts on the apparel printing industry
13:24 Importance on being flexible with your business
14:16 "What did you learn about the market after owning multiple businesses?"
16:23 Mayiduo's journey in the renovation business
17:11 How to overcome the fears of starting a business
18:59 Mayiduo first viral video
19:53 Current status on his renovation business (Current projects, employee count, etc)
22:12 "How does it feel to hand over a company?"
23:32 "What is the renovation industry like in Singapore?"
24:39 Interior Design Accreditation
25:39 Issues with Singapore's renovation industry
27:45 How to choose an Interior Design firm
28:45 "What is one memorable case study that you have?"
30:16 Struggles of Interior Designers
31:57 Interior Designer's payment model
32:38 Struggles of Interior Designers (continued)
34:07 "How do you encourage, motivate and reward your employees?"
36:09 Mayiduo's future plans (New film, personal life plans)
36:58 "Southeast Asian Film industry is untapped."
37:25 Mayiduo's plans to tap into the local film industry
39:37 "What helped you to becoming a film director?"
41:44 Final advice for aspiring/young business owners
45:57 Q&A: "What is one advice you would give to your younger self?"
46:28 Q&A: "In what ways do your career align with your mission in this world?"
46:57 Outtakes