Tan Hup Ming grew up watching his parents run Teng Huat Jewellery, and had even occasionally helped out at their store located in Bedok, the eastern part of Singapore.
That changed when his father, who had been running Teng Huat together with Tan’s uncles, asked him out for a chat. Tan realised that if he didn’t step up, the 60-year-old company started by his grandfather may end at the second generation. He certainly faced a few. As he set out to learn the ropes as Teng Huat’s operations manager, he had to convince skeptical customers who were used to communicating with his father and uncles, that he had the authority to make things happen.
Last December, Tan partnered Angela Loh, CEO and founder of jewellery festival JeweLuxe, to create a new brand Gadore under Teng Huat. The modern collection consists of charm pendants in heart, egg and snowflake designs that encapsulate Teng Huat’s strength in intricate craftsmanship for 22K gold and 18K gem-set jewellery.
Tan’s parents are fully supportive of his plans for Gadore and he intends to hire younger craftsmen to create more contemporary designs for the collection while tapping on the experience of more senior artisans in the company to ensure consistency in branding.
Yall really get a half chub off reporting on generational wealth, dontcha?