Scions of Change
In our family issue this month, we decided to shine the spotlight on second- or third-generation individuals who are running businesses started by their parents or grandparents. Not hard to find candidates, surely? That’s what we thought.
As the Singapore Tatler team discovered, the next generation of businessmen and women who’ve taken over the reins of their family businesses had to be rather firmly persuaded into the spotlight. It wasn’t that we asked anything ignominious of them. Rather, as one scion discreetly admitted in a text message, “Tatler is read by everyone. We won’t have any more privacy!”
This is perhaps one of the more telling traits of the younger generation who are quietly going about their business and happy to stay under the radar. If they’re not the social media adopters who make up the other half of the millennial population, they’re likely to be the media traditionalists—ever more serious about their responsibility and committed to their businesses, but content to function out of the limelight.
But still, we persevered. To say that features writer Seow Wei had a bit of an uphill task convincing some of these publicity-shy scions to get away from their desks for our photo shoot and interview is an understatement. Nevertheless, with her trademark tenacity, she worked the phone and speed-typed her way into charming Laureen and Kenneth Goi, Marcus Tan and Qli Quek into our cover story this month—along with their parents, to boot. Why did they decide to join the family businesses, and how are they positioning their companies for the future? What values did their parents instil in them? They tell us all on p.152.
In the spirit of family unity, we could not ignore the biggest female influences in our lives—our mothers. One afternoon, we bundled a gaggle of gals off to high tea at Osteria Art with their mums and got them to dish on the best traits Mum passed to them (p.172).
May heralds the transition of spring into summer (although it’s nearly summer all year round in Singapore); browse our Style pages from p.82 for the trending styles. With the mid-year holidays almost upon us, look out for our next issue, where we can’t wait to showcase some of the best getaway spots.
Till next month, have a wonderful May, and don’t forget to visit our website at sgtatlerdining.com for ideas on where to take Mum for Mother’s Day!