Born and raised in Singapore, Pang Gek Teng faced numerous obstacles in her path to entrepreneurial success.
These failures, however, did not discourage her but rather served as stepping stones to learn and grow. Her undeterred spirit and determination led her to success with Surrey Hills Grocer, a grocery chain with each location boasting well-curated quality products.
Pang initially worked in the banking sector to meet societal and parental expectations. She also tried various entrepreneurial ventures to create a unique success story. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Pang remained committed to her entrepreneurial journey.
Pang’s path was difficult, but her persistence eventually led to societal recognition of her success in a traditionally unconventional field. Her story inspires those who dare to challenge the norm.
Many of Pang’s earlier business ventures failed, but she viewed each setback as a chance to improve her business strategies. Her resiliency paid off when her third venture, a tech firm, succeeded.
Subsequently, Pang entered the grocer-café sector, introducing the Surrey Hills Grocer to Singapore.
Tracing Pang’s path to grocery success
Funded by a significant investment from Alvin Lau, a family friend, the venture focused on Australian produce and fostered a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The innovative grocery-café hybrid attracted a diverse crowd and boosted Pang’s reputation in the Singaporean market. This success encouraged her to continue her entrepreneurial journey and explore new avenues.
Since its inauguration in 2021, Surrey Hills Grocer has expanded to four more locations. Pang, ever the visionary, hopes to grow her business further with ventures like Furry Hills, a pet product brand, and may even consider entering the bakery and café sector.
Committed to sustainability, Pang plans to source locally and reduce waste in her operations. She aims to cultivate a community around Surrey Hills Grocer that embodies her vision for healthy and sustainable eating habits.
Pang’s journey teaches us the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and resilience. It showcases the value of not letting past failures hinder future ambitions. Equally important, it underscores the necessity of continuous learning and nurturing positive relationships for career advancement.
