A story of two young brothers from Singapore is inspiring millions around the world. What started as a small side project by a 16-year-old teenager has now become a million-dollar handyman and repair company. This remarkable journey belongs to Zames Chew and his younger brother Amos, founders of Repair.sg, one of Singapore’s fastest-growing blue-collar businesses.

According to documents reviewed by CNBC, Repair.sg generated SGD 1.7 million ($1.3 million) in 2024 and is expected to cross SGD 2.3 million in 2025. But the journey to this level of success was far from easy.

This article gives you a detailed breakdown of how the company started, the struggles, the turning point, and the reason this story is going viral worldwide.

How It All Started – A 16-Year-Old Sees a Market Gap

In 2016, when Zames was only 16 years old, his parents needed a repair service but couldn’t find any reliable option online. That moment triggered an idea:

👉 “Why not start an easy-to-find online handyman service?”

Zames immediately bought a website domain for just SGD 30 ($23) and registered the business with his father’s help. The website was simple, but it solved a real problem:
finding a trusted, responsive repair service quickly.

Hands-On Skills Since Childhood

Both brothers grew up:

building PCs
assembling Lego
fixing small electronics
taking things apart

These early experiences helped them take on small repair jobs, from:

fixing furniture
replacing light bulbs
installing basic household items

They balanced school and work, often finishing homework late at night before responding to customer queries.

The Business Almost Died Many Times

The growth journey was not smooth. In fact, Zames openly admits that the company was:

👉 “At the brink of death most of the time during the first seven years.”

Here are the biggest early struggles:

1. No Business Experience

They had no idea:

how to price services
how to negotiate
how to choose clients
how to manage finances

They took every job—even the ones that paid too little—because they feared losing customers.

2. Lack of Licenses and Training

To work in regulated trades (plumbing, electrical work, gas fitting), certifications were required.
Getting these took several years.

3. Overworking Themselves

To make customers happy, the brothers:

set alarms for 4 a.m.
responded to messages instantly
traveled long distances for low-paying jobs
dealt with rude and demanding customers

At one point, the workload nearly caused burnout.

The Turning Point – When the Brothers Went All-In

By 2021, both brothers reached a crossroads. They had to choose:

University degree
OR
Full-time commitment to the repair business

They chose the business.

This decision changed everything.

Why?

They finally focused 100% on the company
They invested in training and certifications
They learned customer management
They improved service quality
They built a strong team
They raised prices to sustainable levels

From that year onwards, Repair.sg’s growth accelerated rapidly.

Facing Criticism and Negative Comments

Success didn’t come without emotional challenges.

Family Pressure

Their parents believed in office jobs and repeatedly discouraged manual labor.

They feared:

low income
lack of career stability
social judgement

Customer Criticism

Some customers told them directly:

“Young people like you should be studying, not repairing things.”
“This job is not for educated kids.”

For years, Zames and Amos kept their business low-profile due to embarrassment.

Yet, over time, they realized:

Hard work is dignity
Blue-collar jobs are essential Skill matters more than titles
🌟 Real satisfaction comes from building something meaningful

This mindset shift boosted their confidence—and ultimately their business.

The Growth – From $23 Investment to Million-Dollar Company

What started with just a $23 domain purchase has now become a multi-million-dollar operation.

2024 Revenue

SGD 1.7 million ($1.3 million)

2025 Projected Revenue

SGD 2.3 million

What Services Do They Provide?

Repair.sg offers:

furniture repairs
plumbing work
electrical installations
light replacement
handyman services
home maintenance
small renovation tasks

Their biggest strengths are:

quick response time
professionalism
transparent pricing
reliable service
trained technicians

These qualities built a trusted brand in Singapore’s repair market.

Why Their Story Is Inspiring the World

This success story is trending globally—and especially on Google News—because it highlights several powerful lessons.

1. You Don’t Need Huge Capital to Start

They began with:

✔️ $23 domain
✔️ Zero investors
✔️ Zero office
✔️ Zero fancy equipment

Just skills + hard work.

2. Blue-Collar Work Has Massive Potential

Many people underestimate manual labor.
But demand for repair services is increasing worldwide.

3. Consistency Beats Everything

They worked through:

criticism
low-quality jobs
financial stress
sleep deprivation

Most people quit early. They did not.

4. Young Entrepreneurs Can Change Industries

At 16, most teenagers play games or scroll social media.
Zames built a business that now earns millions.

Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs

If you want to start your own business, here is what their journey teaches:

1. Identify a Problem

People couldn’t find repair services easily → solution = website + fast response.

2. Start Small

You don’t need office, staff, or big machines.

3. Learn, Adapt, Improve

They learned new skills every year to match market requirements.

4. Ignore Negative Comments

Criticism was constant—but they kept going.

5. Be Patient

The first 7 years were full of struggle.
Success came slowly but consistently.

Future of Repair.sg

The company is expanding into:

large-scale maintenance
professional renovation
smart home installation
training programs
franchise opportunities

With such growth momentum, industry experts believe Repair.sg could become one of Singapore’s top home services companies in the next few years.

Conclusion

This is more than a business story—this is a lesson in resilience, self-belief, and hard work.

A 16-year-old boy who once struggled to find a repairman for his parents is now running a business worth millions. His brother, once discouraged from manual labor, is now leading an inspiring success story that proves:

💡 Skilled work is powerful.
💡 Small beginnings can create big futures.
💡 Dreams are built, not inherited.

Repair.sg is a living example that passion + consistency + courage can turn an ordinary idea into a multi-million-dollar reality.

FAQs (One Line Each)

1. Who founded Repair.sg?

It was founded by brothers Zames and Amos Chew from Singapore.

2. How much revenue did Repair.sg make in 2024?

The company earned SGD 1.7 million ($1.3 million).

3. What is the projected revenue for 2025?

Repair.sg is expected to reach SGD 2.3 million.

4. How old was Zames when he started the business?

Zames was only 16 years old.

5. What services does Repair.sg provide?

They offer repair, maintenance, plumbing, electrical, and handyman services.