'Don't be afraid, just try': Lad & Dad founder reveals crucial role his father played in the business' early daysSome say working with one's own family isn't always a good idea; conflicts may arise, which may inevitably bleed into the home.Founded by Keith Koh in 2015, this gastropub in Tanjong Pagar happens to be many people's go-to place when the craving for British grub kicks in.
This was despite them not seeing eye to eye about the possibility of starting a food and beverage business so soon after Keith graduated university in the UK.After completing his business degree in late 2014, Keith headed back to Singapore. Keith shared: "I decided to come back to Singapore, created an Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority account for the business, put his name in and it became a brand that included him."The duo explained that Desmond played a more supervisory role, helping out with logistics at the hawker stall.Keith admitted that "everything didn't go according to plan" in the early days, despite the meticulous groundwork done prior to the business's opening.
Upon closing the stall for the day, they would return to the same home, often with unresolved stresses from work.While there was no actual intervention or family meeting, they understood that having so many disputes was to no one's benefit, not least Lad & Dad's.Both parties took their time when asked to provide a description of each other.His dad chuckled in response as I tried to casually press him for an answer.