Why I Chose To Be A Hawker After University

Why would a university graduate choose to be a hawker? We hear from Faye, the third-gen owner of Coffee Break, and learn about her struggles and joys in pursuing a less-chosen career path.
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[@OGS.Official]

What's your go-to kopitiam drink order? ☕ We'll go first... Milo Peng!!

[@MISSpiggiie]

Teh-O-Kosong Peng 😁

[@tanyangyi466]

Kopi o kosong! But at Coffee Break, it’s gonna be teh peng!

[@thewebmanager]

Teh C kosong, Milo Kosong 😊

[@DogeMultiverse]

Nice sponsor from subway

[@Isalwaysshort]

kopi-o-kosong hot/cold

[@etfavs9375]

It’s an honest living, it’s a shame that society in general matches job’s against one’s educational qualifications. Ignore the detractors and stick to your passion Faye!

[@KoolRanqe]

What's worse is there passion the certain people have for this industry while having to traverse the multi faceted corruptions involved, speaking from experience.

[@1882osr]

To be fair... she's a business owner, not someone just working in the service industry. Would anyone question a shop or restaurant owner for not aiming higher?

[@BikerDaDInt650]

Can I understand why she made undergraduate if she needs to be hawker she would have saved money and invested the undergraduate course money and double it that is my opinion

[@richardhanson4600]

Faye should be invited to NUS Business School as a guest lecturer. How many Singaporeans have her skill set? A successful businesswoman, coffee specialist and national beach volleyball. Impressive curriculum vitae.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Handsome America White King

[@kakeru123]

Didn’t she get the business from her daddy? How’s that successful?

[@LittleMissRollerCoaster]

Faye is not just a hawker, but a true leader! Just continue to do what you love yeah! Hopefully your business will grow even bigger with many branches!

[@tanyangyi466]

They also have a second branch at Hong lim food centre!

[@misterbig9025]

But she needs a man to help her.

[@anselc366]

@@misterbig9025 maybe quit being a sexist first

[@BrittenelleandOrionKMG]

@@misterbig9025 lmao what is this thinking, it's already 2022

[@c4un544n5]

I used to travel around for my job and have patronize this stall once. Didn't know there is such a inspiring story behind every drink made.

[@shobnavijay4561]

Today's Economy is not about Degrees and Certificates any more.Its about your skills and ability to ADD VALUE.We Singaporeans need to change our mindsets in order to adapt to today's Era. COFFEE BREAK n it's Team is True inspiration for this!👏👏👏Kudos to the Team!

[@wongkengmun1103]

I admire her courage for following what she wants to do without being pressure by society expectations

[@stevens1041]

My friend from our university accounting program, within ten years of our graduation, quit financial accounting position and opened a series of restaurants. She is the most successful of any of us, from our graduating class.

[@yoshuareece8785]

If she owns her own business, then she's way ahead of other college grads who need their company to give them a paycheck. Waaay ahead. And that's not mentioning the fact she knows to do what she wants, which again that puts her ahead of the game.

[@toastnjam4595]

Absolutely. And damn, being able to control both of her employees and her customer in a same time and under ton of pressure, THAT is a rare mad skills

[@mrobles1983]

Exactly, Shes the Master of her own destiny.

[@tan.tan1234]

Owning a business will always be a power move

[@squiggs1002]

+Looks like she took over the family business? Not everybody gets a business handed to them when they graduate from college. Would have been very different story if she had to take out loans for everything to start her business and didn't have her dad advising her.

[@westerling8436]

@@tan.tan1234 even as a freelancer sir?

[@squashdevicer]

She’s an entrepreneur and CEO. Nothing wrong with that at all.

[@qqyytlga9649]

How I wish I have the same amount of passion and the courage as Faye has to pursue what she wants! Truly admirable ❤️👍🏻

[@jingmok]

Career choices should be made this way. From the heart and soul.

[@anirudhhirani3031]

Her dad is so cool. Nothing like having a supportive parent

[@yieldm232]

She articulates her words really well!

[@Apainiituapa]

She owns her own business and I personally think that’s the best way to make money 👏🏻👏🏻

[@paramjothysabaretnam9045]

Hi.....I am/was watching from Malaysia....it takes guts to do what you do.....considering the culture we live in these parts of the world......hang those critics who have nothing else to do because they are dumb......the moment you have regulars coming back....you are already a success......good job!!!

[@sc8706]

As long as it’s an honest living, there’s nothing to be ashamed of it. Way to go Faye! Would love to try your drinks once I visit Singapore again.

[@paulspalette]

Good for her! Glad to see the family supportive of her

[@elizabethysm86ysm2]

Love her enthusiasm, her passion and determination… How I wish I could say it to her in person…. Faye, You can do it ! I wish to go an have a ‘ Kopi ‘ at your hawker shop soon , because I’m a Kopi Lover too ☕️♥️😊

[@ShirleyLyMusic]

Very inspirational. I wish there were more people like her, including myself ❤

[@HotRod16]

End of the day or month, what you bring home that matters. Some bring big buck but also bring back all the work and emotional tension home. Some just earning sufficiently but everyday brings back smile and sense of satisfaction.

[@Tantantantan369]

I love her being so passionate about her work ❤🎉

[@dintamio4535]

She is GREAT.. Having degree in marketing and can apply what she got from college to her OWN Business. That is what called succeed... Most of people even had the degree.. And do not know what they will do with theirs... SOOO I ADMIRE HER... Her Resumee is soooo fantastic also.

[@BibleNerd22]

I like that that guy came along and told her her coffee sucked in the beginning 'cause some people won't keep it real with you. Would like more people like him around me.

[@hahaharithz]

Proud of her!

[@rgseven6557]

Speaking from experience, it’s much better to be a hawker than slaving away for corporates who treat employees like commodities. I am a graduate too and wish I had run a business instead of being a corporate slave…

[@randomsh-t917]

Beautiful down to earth girl. Very special. These are the best people.

[@user-jk2zm7uq5s]

I miss Singapore. I miss Hawker Center. I miss this accent. I miss Kopi-O. (watching from Germany)

[@ArdikaPercha]

Same with my country, degree in agriculture but work in bank. Entrepreneurship is different league with his Uni degree she can be successful food chain or something like that. Business about profitable & scalability, I still learn this many years, but she so knowledgeable ya.

[@ivanpro123]

forget what your friends say. most people can only wish to find their sense of belonging! go faye

[@tonyquek6157]

RESPECT n every success Faye!

[@lyekahkit9366]

Always appreciate down to earth ladies,a rare breed, especially in SG.

[@BibleNerd22]

This was heartwarming and inspiring. I love how she seems happy and loves what she does. Not everyone is as fortunate.

[@yokomega]

Mad respect. Used to buy coffee from them every day ❤

[@bierdlll]

Hawkers are the very soul of this country.

[@OGS.Official]

We agree!

[@yyysboy1]

she is cool. i like how ppl choose their own fave things to do no matter what profession, big or small, more money or less money. life is for exploring what you desire and love based on how much u know urself. i would love to buy from her during my upcoming sg holiday in Jan! is it close to outram mrt? thats where my accomodation will be.

[@MedTalkSG]

Well done Faye. Proud of you❤

[@deotan6294]

When her tears drop as she said thanking people whonstuck by them during the time thier coffee sucks, i mean i can relate and that courage and passion 👍

[@Funhappyfree]

I would love to go to her stall and have coffee very inspiring and courageous of her taking a different route keep it up..!

[@purpleladyfye203]

Girl u inspire me to become a hawker too!!!❤❤❤ i love nescafe tarik or kopi ais so much i learn to make it better everyday😊😊

[@hazeroth]

Kudos, Faye and crew (and no pressure from dad of course)!

[@alviarin99]

I really miss the Coffee Break branch that used to be at Science Park - great coffee and efficient yet warm service.

[@tanyongrui88]

Very profitable for doing coffee actually, it’s all about teamwork coordination in the making afterall

[@woodkey1]

Thats what the young generation fail to see. If done and executed properly you can actually live a comfortable life at your own terms not your boss's. I feel singaporeans are robotic in the sense that after graduating they need to get a well paid job. While in other parts of the world, ppl tend to do what they love and pursue their dreams. I have a friend who flunked all his subjects and quit school at secondary 3. Now he is a boss of 3 tyre shops in malaysia and have 30 people working under him. Life has been very good and enjoyable for him. I myself started my own business very late in life and never look back since after i left corporate world. Sometimes is about bravery. Dare to fail in order to succeed

[@dufreversi42]

She is fantastic

[@bigpapa1472]

Many more young people should follow your footsteps, as I don't wish to see good traditional food and beverage discontinued after old uncle aunty hawkers retire.

[@haemhr]

Bless you lady. You doing a great job!

[@emwhaibee]

When your dad trust you enough to make you his heir, as well as caring enough to still (just) guide you and provide suggestions on where to improve; NOW YOU HAVE A LEGACY TO PROTECT. Much better than starting at absolute nothing to work with. Solid fundamentals and a history close to the heart. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@interlude33]

this is so inspiring go Fayeeeee

[@maryma3838]

Thank you for the great video

[@btsdancestudio5691]

Thank Ypu. Very inspirational story!

[@drhaxan]

Faye is amazing, we all believe in you

[@michie554]

The one at Hong Lim is yet another of my lunch time favourite! I'm there almost 3x a week! :)

[@DarkPa1adin]

Respect!

[@ktleong7116]

Well done Faye. I admire you

[@steventeoh260]

Looks good!

[@rinanorden2343]

Much respect!🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@magically_]

Aw her dad’s proud :)

[@jonathanstupidcheesespaghetti]

You go girl!

[@silverstar7754]

Love the coffee and the always smiley crew!! Miss u guys at Science Park!!

[@OGS.Official]

that smiley badge is a nice touch! Don't you agree? :)

[@mailhanyi]

Love the passion! 🎉

[@IaneHowe]

Very proud of her

[@laimanwong4001]

Great story

[@brubrushanghai]

I love how the subtitles subtly corrected her grammar mistakes...

[@nareshagarwal5605]

She has her own shop at a bust market place and she runs her own business So great,so successful,so blessed.

[@oshirley443]

I love the variety of spread they have for the toasts !

[@OGS.Official]

us too!

[@ersonvelasco2531]

Some have passion in serving others. This profession is noble. In any other countries you go, food industry is the backbone of the economy. And, you’ll be surprised how much other hawkers are earning…

[@unicorn111]

In Tamil we say kaapi, similar sound. You're an entrepreneur, it's great. Better than a clerical office job , your day is more fun

[@citizenoftheworld7899]

I love Singapore hawker.... Very affordable and great taste ☺️

[@Dskyx]

she runs not she works as an employee...that's 2 biggest diff things. It's worth it, and with her major as a marketing, it's aligned.. come to europe, u will see many immigrants that have phd or master degree work as an employee as taxi driver, barista... She's a BOSS!! here, I would be happy , the hawker center will have her children in d future take over, and she can expand the branch if it's successful or sell it. She can use a lot of her skills such as marketing research in hawker cuz she understand the sales

[@nadi.a.2862]

👍 Having the time of my life right here in this comment section.

[@princeamori]

Independent entrepreneur she is doing well for herself, better than the “salaried employee”. Maybe one day she will own a franchise.

[@DarkPa1adin]

Coffee stall with 4 staff, shows her success! So far the most I've seen is 3 staff in a single shift.

[@reborn2020]

Kopi must try, they so passionate about it.. must be excellent!

[@orkun171]

people think salarymen bring the most money but these kind of self owned small shops can easily bring more money profit margins are insane in brick and mortar stores

[@hbtan9841]

What's next for Faye? I would love to hear more about her future plans.

[@Nazzzyrsss]

I reallyyyy love this episode!

[@aa1lop459]

I don't understand why people needs to be constantly judging. everyone has their own strengths, interest and passion. and like she rightly pointed out, she enjoy the service, the rush and the adrenaline and its what makes her happy and she really like what she does. i think that's the pinnacle already.

[@jasmera9889]

all the best! you look cool

[@tommyliangwei3724]

This posted and interviewed on 13th July 2022

[@borneosideHq]

Never Give Up 😃🤩💪💪💪🙏

[@marblueony754]

Actually, there's a café in my city in the Philippines called "Coffee Break" as well.

[@sufen712]

Awesome and what a personality👍👍

[@suiling1020]

Awesome attitude!!!

[@bigmattwheel]

I love this stall! modern cafe drinks at reasonable prices

[@firebird3639]

She finds it so fulfilling and that's all that matters.

[@freebeacher]

Good for you! I like it.

[@freakup888]

this was actually amazing

[@samueljohnson3628]

That's why many people still live with other people opinion, univ graduate should not only work at luxury office but in farm, at home etc. One of the top public agriculture university in indonesia their graduated mostly work in bank and office, because of rare vacancy in agri field and lack of entrepreuneurship soul.

[@kefinjanitra1880]

Hopefully i can visit and taste it

[@_djazeb_]

Kudos!! 👏👏👏

[@beetledune9264]

Stereotypes,people generally assume hawker only for those 'less educated',because back then,that what happen.but today,i saw many younger generations with high education choose this part.n nothing wrong with that.hawker is culture!

[@ciggytwiggy]

Im pretty sure she's earning a lot!

[@hermianofficial3400]

I swear degree coffee means something else entirely in Tamil Nadu. Google it! Hats of to you btw! Love your energy.

[@andrewlim8116]

Missing your coffee at science Park Faye

[@GordonSin411]

Beautiful

[@favenegas6396]

😊😊😊 i love it😊😊 want that life ❤❤

[@ttkoh123]

Well, the subject of Singaporeans gotten themselves with "recognized" degrees while more and more foreign students get accredited degrees would surface, and I think it's about ease of dominant control. The question is, If you are sitting in a air-conditioning office with a monthly paycheck of $28,000 plus CPF, plus medical benefits plus year end fat bonus, would you be a Hawker working day and night to pay high rental, cleaning and utilities rates and in a sweating hot environment? The diminishing good paying jobs for Singaporeans would come into question naturally.

[@cooliipie]

Seems like a great business I was thinking about doing myself. I don't see how it could be considered settling if it's successful

[@azul1964]

Good for her and the people she serves. I can't imagine playing real life dinner dash for the rest of my life though. But diff ppl have different taste

[@Clembo]

Lol that SG actually treats degrees with respect. Coming from the West I found this funny because our degrees are so easy and relatively quite cheap.