In their DNA
In this month’s making of our Family issue...
You know when they say, you will always be your parents’ child, regardless of your age? We couldn’t help but think it, as we listened to business-owner parents share how they raised their children to be the men and women they are today, and groomed them to join the family business.
Sam Goi, who started all four of his children in Tee Yih Jia (TYJ), the family business that earned him his Popiah King moniker, asserts that he is a strict dad and still expects his adult children to action his directives quickly at work. Still, his pride is unmistakeable when he talks about Kenneth and Laureen, who both started from the bottom in TYJ more than a decade ago, but rose the ranks as they proved themselves.
The younger Gois had been an elusive pair to pin down for Singapore Tatler’s cover—mostly due to their packed work-travel schedules, but in part due to camera shyness. But in Sam’s sprawling office in the Tee Yih Jia Building, the ice was quickly broken when Kenneth quipped, “My dad has always said that he didn’t need to do a DNA test to find out if we are his children.” Those enviably thick eyebrows and infectious grins—the similarities between Sam and his kids were uncanny.
And we couldn’t help but feel warm and fuzzy inside during an early Mother’s Day high tea at the cosy Osteria Art, where the sisterly bonds between motherdaughter pairs did not mask the tenderness and pride that the mums held for their “little girls”. It was definitely Girl Time, as the ladies sat down for their flash makeovers and giggled over beautiful pastries and the array of jewels from Sara Taseer Fine Jewellery and Temptations Jewellery.
We’re glad we caught it on camera for our Mummy’s Girls spread. Thanks for sharing the love!