Turning Rice Grains into Miniature Works of Art

What is your business about?

HandyDandy Singapore is a local online handicrafts store that focuses on rice handicrafts. We write and draw on rice grains and encapsulate it into bottles! We focus on rice because come on, how can an Asian live without rice?!

What made you decide to start your business? When did you start?

I started the online store in 2010! A whopping 12 years ago. However, I didn't start out as HandyDandy, I started out as BloggaMoggaShop (cringe I know). I rebranded in 2016 to HandyDandy Singapore to reflect the handmade products I now sell mainly 🙂

Why did you choose to take part in SEM?

I want to take part in SEM because it'll help with exposure! One of the biggest issues small businesses face is the lack of exposure/marketing because it's typically a one-man/woman show! Social media algorithms don't help too 🙁.

What are some of the challenges you face as a student entrepreneur?

As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest issues we face is the lack of exposure and marketing. Especially coming from a student like me with a Science background! Also, when I first started out in 2010, there was a lot of things to juggle and learn. I had to do and learn everything from scratch: liaising, designing, marketing, finance, and pitching! Time management is not so much of an issue because I schedule most of the crafts to the weekends; my customers understand too!

What is one tip that has helped you in juggling your responsibilities as a student and entrepreneur well?

Time management & using google calendars!! These are my must-haves, especially for a PhD student doing full-time wet lab research.

What motivates you and keeps you going in your business?

The joy I get from customers appreciating my art form and handicrafts! It makes small business owners like us feel like we matter. Also, I get to meet many different people as a small business owner during pop-ups (e.g. Art Box, FLASHBANG & Civic District Arts Festival) & events. Some of which has become my good friends 😄

Jessie is a Year 2 postgraduate student from Duke NUS. Her works are currently on sale at NUS Co-op@Central Forum under the Student Entrepreneur’s Market (SEM) programme.

Instagram: @handydandysg

Website: https://handydandysg.com