How do you meet your makers?

We started out meeting local designers and artisans we personally liked. It was a lot of legwork, but it was fun to travel to different cities and meet good folks like Pow in Bangkok and Daisuke in Tokyo. From then on, it was a game of referring and networking.

What helps you decide on the makers to approach?

People go to Haystakt to find cool products with a story, so we look for uniquely handcrafted items made in small-batch or limited edition productions with interesting concepts. We also look for people who have promising ideas or unique backgrounds because we’re as interested in the people as we are in their products.

Where can we find the makers and shakers in Singapore?

Most of them are buried in their craft, so you’ll find them in their studios or workshops within the industrial estates of Ayer Rajah, Bedok or Kallang.

Why did the idea of a brick and mortar store not appeal to you?

Our goal is to offer the most comprehensive selection of global maker products in terms of both range and depth, more so that you could ever offer in a physical space. For us, it was also about finding the right format to articulate makers’ stories and to allow them to cross geographical boundaries and connect with people all over the world.

How would you define a successful e-commerce business?

In a saturated market, it’s about delivering commerce with value. To do that, we constantly ask ourselves questions like “do you solve both sides of the equation?” and “what will the market be like 10 years from now?”.

Where would you go if you could work remotely from anywhere in the world?

Right now it would be Singapore— both the design and startup communities are booming and there’s a new generation of makers waiting to be discovered. More importantly, there’s family, great parks, libraries and free WiFi.