UNSUNG HEROES

Nicholas Quek, CEO and founder of Noise Plaster recounts his experience of creating a positive work culture for the migrant worker community in his team.

- Nicholas Quek

My first venture into the construction industry was through a personal passion for music. While pursuing a Computer Science degree at the National University of Singapore years ago, I was also deeply invested in my hobbies — music and acoustic technology.

The latter led me to self-learn about building acoustic installations for music studios. Due to my meticulous nature, I came to understand the intricacies of every fixture in the process and I noticed several gaps in the market. I felt with my knowledge and drive for precision, I could possibly make a difference.

Eventually, I realised this was my calling and decided on the continuation of my studies at a university would be too large an opportunity cost. I took the brave step to venture into entrepreneurship, dropped out of university to found a soundproofing company and ultimately Noise Plaster in 2018.

ACUTE AWARENESS

In the midst of managing my companies and getting to know my team, I not only discovered there was much moreroom for development in existing soundproofing solutions in the market, but business practices rampant in the industry had yet to achieve the high standards of other industries.