Mission Impossible: How To Run A Niche Business In Singapore

Can a snowboarding company survive here? What about a pole dancing studio? Three women in their 20s tell us what it’s like running a specialised business, and how they clawed their way to success.

- Adora Wong

YUMI PONG, 29 @mpdsingapore

Co-owner and director of Milan Pole Dance Studio

Yumi was going through a dark period in her life when she took up pole dancing. It helped her put things into perspective so much that she decided to give back to the pole community here.

“I started pole dancing after my mum passed away,” she says. “I didn’t go into it expecting it to help me cope with my grief. But in going for classes and interacting with other people, I was able to see how they were able to stay strong even though they also had their own problems.”

“This not only made me realise that I wasn’t alone, but also boosted my confidence.”

So when one of her partners, a pole dancing classmate at that time, approached her to join the industry, she readily agreed. “I wanted to help other people partake in this experience because I knew how much it helped me,” she explains.

Milan Pole Dance Studio opened its first studio in 2014, and second studio in 2016. On top of overseeing daily operations, Yumi also churns out creative content for the brand’s social media accounts.

THE TOUGH STUFF

Yumi has a flexibile work schedule, but that doesn’t mean her life is any less stressful. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

“My job takes up a lot of time. I’m constantly thinking about work even when I’m not at the studio and never truly feel like I’m switched off from it,” she shares.

It doesn’t help that people don’t always recognise her behind-the-scenes efforts.

“Some people are like: ‘What’s there to do for a pole dancing studio, anyway?’ But that’s when I know I’m doing a good job, because it means everything is running smoothly,” says Yumi.