How did you get this started?
The idea started from home. My business partner Fenni Wang’s dad brought home these tools when he retired from his renovation business and dumped them in the storage room because he didn’t want to throw them away. Naturally, he thought these tools would come in handy at some point. I wondered if there could be an alternative use for the items and that’s when I thought of Rent Tycoons. If every household contributed to this pool of resources maintained by Rent Tycoons, imagine the high product variety there would be available for users. This translates to a low-cost business structure.

How has the response been?
Very good! Since we started in October 2011, we’ve had over 100 registered users with over 200 items listed. We also have over 6,000 unique and frequent visitors, and have processed many successful transactions. Testimonials have been positive too so we expect more Singaporeans will be using our online renting platform.

What are some of the oddest items people have put up for rent?
We’ve had people renting out Swarovski crystal decorations, an OSIM massage chair, cars for use in Ho Chi Minh and Bali, as well as laser tag remote-control tanks. We also have a regular business that rents garment steamers for their fashion events.

Share with us some other product rental ideas?
We cannot process rentals for products like boyfriends but based on a market survey we did last December, people would pay to rent party costumes, chocolate fondue, bouncy castles, as well as console and board games.

Any expansion plans in the horizon?
Service-wise, we’re working on providing paid online advertising and an e-cataloging service, where we’ll list users’ items and promote them to the relevant target market. When we have built a large base of active users in Singapore, we’d like to invite investors to partner with us to bring Rent Tycoons to other parts of Asia. 
 

You retiring the show? Why not keep performing it?
Pichet Klunchun and Myself is a contemporary performance; when times change, the piece has to stop. We do not want to stop the show, but we know the time of this piece has come to the end.

We know you change your performances a lot from country to country. How will this one be different from earlier performances?
After the early years of the show, it was edited and changed. However, the show has not changed much over the past four years. It has been quite stable every time we have performed. In my opinion, it is the reaction from audiences was the change from place to place.

Can you tell us what your future plans are? Are you going to open a theater? How is Black and White Khon coming along?
I plan to open my Chang Theater this March. There will be around three pieces presented there this year. I also plan to bring Black and White back to Bangkok. However, we are still looking for the proper space and sponsor to support this show.

Your two last shows have been less political and more about dancing and personal emotion. What is your current mood?
Actually, Black and White is so political it’s scary. You have to look into it carefully. My mood now? I have a vision to create a new Thai outlook on arts, social issues and politics by using traditional performance. Vasachol Quadri

BK: How did you guys come together?
Chai: We didn’t play together at first. I had my own band with friends, while Chai, Tong and Ball were playing together. We always met each other when playing at pubs in Chonburi, which is our hometown.
Champ: The turning point happened when we joined the Sunshine Music Challenge hosted by a radio station in Pattaya. We met Narong Decha of the band Ster. When he saw our performance, he approached me and said he wanted us to go to Bangkok to audition with GMM. After competition, my band and Chai’s band broke up, so I asked them to join me. We went to the audition, and we passed.

BK: What took you so long to have your first single?
Chai: Well, when we passed the audition, we were too young and still in high school. So they told us to get more experience. We created a band, named Maya King, and sent out a couple of singles. We also went to play gigs in other towns, like Hua Hin.

BK: So why did you change the band’s name to Funky Burger?
Champ: The producers think it is cooler than our old name. I was totally against the idea because I thought our fans know us as Maya King. But we finally said OK in the end because our music is kind of funky and our old name doesn’t reflect that.

BK: Why do you dance when playing?
Chai: It is something that sets us apart from other bands. We can play good music, but we can dance and entertain people more, too.
Champ: We were so freaked out at first. The producers sent us to dance classes. We had to practice for about four months until we could dance like we do today.
Tong: The hardest thing at the beginning would be when we have to separate our hands and feet to play and dance at the same time.

BK: Do you worry that audiences will think that you aren’t serious artists?
Champ: I don’t, because we know that we are focusing on making music that we love. Dancing is just a fun act for our fans.

BK: If you could invite someone to dance with you, who would it be?
Champ: Girls’ Generation! It would be great to dance next to pretty, sexy girls like them.
Chai: Ma Boy Sister from Wonder Girls. They give me a thrill every time they shake their hips.
AF: If he were still alive, I would love to dance with Michael Jackson. I’d want to do “Smooth Criminal” with him.
Chai: Chin Chinawut. I think he’s a very talented dancer and a good singer, too.
Ball: I would love to dance with Add Carabao.

What do you need to be a model?
Above all, confidence and the ability to project and channel different looks, styles, moods. The best models can express themselves in different mediums, being both photogenic and telegenic, as well as having presence in real life events. But only a few girls possess that “it” quality.

What’s your advice for aspiring models?
Just be yourself, but be the best of yourself! Don’t be afraid to try new things, whether it’s a new style, fashion trend or makeup.

How would you define your style?
My style is a bit of an oxymoron, I call it “carefree elegance.” I like to look put together without seeming like I tried too hard. For me, simple is striking, and effortlessness is part of my attitude. Also, I believe in everyday glam.

What’s the one item that you swear by and can’t live without?
I have to choose two here, and depending on the season or where I’m traveling to, it’s basic moisturizer and sunscreen. Sun protection is extremely important to prevent skin cancer, but also sun exposure is the number one cause of wrinkles and aging skin.

What’s your foolproof style tip?
Scarves make awesome accessories, as you can wear them around your neck, waist, hair, or, if you’re tired of wearing it, you can tie it around the handles of your purse.

High street or high fashion?
Both! I like mixing and matching, and fashion is both an art and business for me. It’s absolutely stunning when you can pull together a look with an unexpected accessory that doesn’t “belong.”

The piece centers on… the friendship of two souls. Their encounter and personal stories form the journey that connects many people's life stories.

Expect movements in the form of… very straightforward language. We both studied the underneath tone of the movements as we communicate through our bodies. They are crossing between contemporary and physical theater.

The poetry in dance lies in… the breathing and rhythm of the movements. The life is not about how strong we hold on to our belief, it happens when we set it free.

Art = faith because… to create art is to inhibit the kind of space eternally. My work is a response, both gracious and obedient, to natural forces as well as ongoing actions around me.

Hymn of Angelology is happening on February 21-22 at the Esplanade Theatre Studio.

Why OH!?
It just gets a bit boring to see art on white walls, as if art has nothing to say about the world. It's bewildering and fantastic to go into a strange house and wonder which is the art, which is the owner's stuff and what the stories are in each house. It's all very surreal, but also very real.

How does it work?
We never set any theme for the artists; rather we allow the spaces speak to them. About half of the work is newly commissioned, and the other half adapted to new environments. At the end of it all, we wrap artworks and houses with neighborhood stories and then it becomes a narrative and adventure.

What’s the budget?
Eighty thousand, which is smaller than last year’s as we have less government funding. A lot of it will come out of our personal pockets. About a third of the budget goes to artists and art production.

Why do you think it works?
We’re not just about the art, but it's a kind of cultural mission. I'm not fooling myself: OH! isn't going to change someone's life, but if there are many more such things going on in Singapore, by us or others, then the city will be a lot cooler.

OH! Open House happens on February 18-19, 25-26, 4-9pm. Tour starts from Tiong Bahru Community Centre, 67A Eu Chin St. $15 (door). Log onto their website for more info.

Growing up, I was the awkward nerd. I remember climbing into the big monsoon drain near my primary school because we believed that there were Ninja Turtles living in there.

As a kid, I enjoyed making things up in my head to create a better world for myself. Somewhere along the way I told myself that I would make things for the rest of my life.

The buildings in the city today are a product of both our acceptance and denial of our climate, history, society, values, aspirations, politics and a lot of other factors that could only have happened here. So in that sense, it’s very distinct.

I think the increasing interest in preserving heritage is a sign that we are becoming more mature as a society and moving upwards.

I’m grateful that this evolution is happening in my lifetime and I look forward to the day where this country makes its decisions based on more than economic progress.

As a student, I wanted to read an intelligent yet accessible magazine about Asian architecture.. I couldn’t find it, so I decided to make it.

The value of FIVEFOOTWAY is in its editorial voice. We look at the city through very unique lenses and only publish our own stories.

I hope that the stories that we tell create a new sense of appreciation of the complexity and diversity of Asian cities. We want to remind people that the city belongs to all of us.

Some of the systems in this country are too rigid and the cost of failure here remains high which, together with other things, stifles the development of a fearless risk-taking mentality. While the environment has become more conducive for creativity to flourish over the last few years, there’s still a lot more that needs to be done.

I believe that truly creative people don’t let this become an excuse. We find ways to work with what we have.

I think Singaporeans in general should stop complaining about things and get their heads down to make things instead.

Generally I’m not the sort of person with achievement destinations in life, but rather there’s a general course of direction in which I’m traveling.

Being alive today and having this conversation with you is evidence that I have overcome all the challenges of life thus far, and I take some pride in that.

The best way to unwind is to have a quiet moment to yourself.

How did Girls in Tech become such an enterprising organization?
It started out as a casual powwow amongst industry friends, namely the minority in tech—women. It was meant to be a sounding board to help address any workplace concerns we had and for us to bounce product feature ideas off each other. We were on a mission to give female developers, designers and marketers a voice and encourage younger generations to embrace technology and the start-up world as a viable career path. Before I knew it, five years had passed and Girls in Tech has grown to over 38 active chapters across the globe including Singapore, where we’ve recently launched.

Why did you decide to move to Singapore?
The truth is my boyfriend lives in Singapore. He has lived between Hong Kong and Singapore for the last nine years and a long distance relationship would’ve been tough so I decided to relocate to give the relationship a true shot. I also knew that the Asian economy was doing very well and Singapore was becoming the next Asian tech hub specifically for start-up cultivation so I thought it would be a great place for me to learn. I wanted to launch Girls in Tech Singapore and network within its active and curious, yet small start-up community. There is a lot of potential in Singapore and I would love to play a role in planting the Silicon Valley seed here.

What was your first professional step into the world of tech like?
I wasn’t even that interested in jumping into the tech space. My background was in marketing for entertainment and big consumer brands, and that was where I thought I would end up. Then I moved to San Francisco and became fascinated by the tech/start-up space. We were onto something big and I wanted to be a part of it! My first start-up experience was at a company called GUBA, a user-generated content site much like YouTube. I was absolutely immersed in this trend-setting company that has such an active, nimble and creative culture, and going to work everyday was more of a positive addiction than a bill-paying activity. It was fun and to this day, I remember every moment of my experience and how it has influenced the rest of my career to present-day.

What would you like to see change in Singapore’s tech scene?
This is a good question and as much as I want to be diplomatic, it’s more important to be honest and blunt—the Singaporean tech community needs a leadership injection. I believe that some of the smartest people in the world live in Singapore and are fully capable of launching their own startups and developing interesting and innovating products. However, the culture here underscores and aligns credibility and honor with graduating from a prestigious college and jumping head-first into a MNC. It’s almost frowned upon to take such a risk in starting a company without any built-up work skills and experience. I’d like to share with the Singaporean tech community of my life mottos: Embrace risk. It’ll enable people to become more entrepreneurial, innovative and good leaders. Building a company is not easy; it’s scary, but if you believe in yourself, are passionate about your product idea and are not afraid of failure, anything is possible. Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to launch Facebook.

Who do you look up to in this industry?
Normally, I would call out a couple of my mentors or women who’ve influenced my life in past years but this time, I want to talk about the developers. The tech industry would be absolutely nothing without developers, coders, engineers. We should be fully indebted to them and their true talent and dedication to coding and building cool new products that make an impact on society, changing the world.

What fascinates you most about technology?
Technology is so scalable. From one minute to the next, a product can be built that will connect or entertain someone in the US and simultaneously, someone in Singapore. This product can span across multiple geographies in a very short time. It is also amazing to me when technology is crowd-sourced or when people are able to collaborate on products virtually. The accessibility to the cloud and connectivity of the world or “globalization” as we like to call is changing the way and speed with which we do business. Another thing I love about technology is its convenience. Devices are smaller, information is spread faster and communication is more seamless. With tech, the world is constantly innovating and at a rapid pace too, in an effort to optimize life—make things more convenient for people like you and me. Technology has enabled me to think in a “the sky is the limit” manner. Things that I never in a million years would’ve thought could be created are now in existence.

What can we expect from Girls in Tech at Social Media Week Singapore?
I will be moderating a panel on “superstar women in tech”. Since female entrepreneurs in tech are even scarcer in Singapore than they are in Silicon Valley, I would love to showcase the powerful and passionate women that have taken the plunge to launch their own tech companies. We will discuss the trials and tribulations of launching a start-up, the best practices in building a company along with other topics like fund-raising, recruitment and networking. 

Adriana Gascoigne will be moderating the Girls in Tech Panel Discussion and Launch Party at Graze as part of Social Media Week Singapore. For more info on Girls in Tech Singapore, check out their official Facebook page.
 

What does it take to be a consumer analyst? Do your studies in politics relate to the job?
Curiosity! And constant reading and watching, mixed with always asking “why?” Also, much of my political study revolved around trying to understand systems as well as people's motivations, both of which are relevant when looking at consumers and how their behavior is changing.

Name some trends you’ve observed that you found bizarre.
Because we always look to ground our trends in deep-rooted human needs and wants, I wouldn’t say I find any trends bizarre, even if sometimes the manifestations might be.

For example, we recently alerted to an organic butcher’s shop for dogs in Munich, Beute Fuchs, that offers custom-made, organic raw food diets for dogs featuring beef, lamb and chicken, as well as venison, duck and goose in season. But when in the context of our “tribefacturing” trend, which looks at the opportunities to truly tailor a product or service to a specific group’s needs, it makes perfect sense.

Another example we recently saw in Brazil: Cuelcinha is a shop that offers lingerie for men. Are they for men? Definitely not! But again, when looked at in light of our “maturalism” trend (about how mature, experienced and urban customers are looking for more exotic or risqué products to tell interesting status stories to other customers), it makes sense.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love seeing innovations spread. While a large part of my job is reading and thinking, in the end, trend watching isn't about theories or abstract concepts. We always try to identify trends that we think have the power to spread across markets or industries because they have a certain level of universal applicability.

What's the most life-changing thing you've ever done?
Speaking at a conference with Kofi Annan was pretty mind-blowing. Just to hear some of his stories was very humbling.

Where are all the trend-forward people?
We're seeing more trends emerging from Asia as experienced, urban “citysumers” become not just wealthier but more demanding, confident and willing to try new things. An example of such a trend is Korea’s Homeplus virtual subway shop that was replicated worldwide, including in Singapore’s SMRT subways, by Cold Storage.

What do you think of Singapore as a city that affects change?
Singapore is so well positioned at the heart of Asia. Yes, of course everyone's talking about the potential of China, but the Singaporean society is so open to trends, which puts it right at the forefront of both regional and global trends. And we love being in Singapore because of the optimism. While Europe and American wrestle with their problems, Singaporeans just keep on moving forward! That's why we're excited to be expanding here, so we can better develop our local network.

Is this your first time speaking at Social Media Week? What do you think of the initiative?
This is my first time at SMW. The whole event is a great demonstration of the “mass mingling” trend we first looked at a few years ago. Previously, people had suggested that socializing online would replace physical interaction, and we'd all be cooped up inside tending to our virtual avatars. Of course, what's actually happened is digital connections are fueling real-world meet-ups and events, like SMW. Social Media Week Singapore has some fantastic events lined up and I'm really looking forward to attending a few.

Henry Mason will be hosting the Keynote Address at Social Media Week on February 13. Visit our live blog.

What’s the worst thing someone has done or said to try to pick you up ?

Dutchan: Someone just came up and kissed me at the bar...fuck.
Arnaud: Someone said, “You are really cute. Are you a guy or a girl?”
G.E.: A nasty Italian tourist came up to me on Khao San Road and said, “Let me see what’s inside,” then he pulled open my shirt and saw my boobs! It was disgusting.
Natthawatt: An old gay guy wrapped a B1,000 note around a glass and gave it to me.
Nao: In Tokyo, a normal looking guy came up to me and proposed sex for money. He said he would give me B70,000 for one night. It was the middle of the day!
Ploy: A guy asked me, “Are you a hooker? How much?” I replied, “You can’t afford it.”
Hariti: A girl bumped into me and apologized. You won’t impress anyone by hurting them to get their attention.
Nimma: Too many—men really know how to make fools of themselves! Like this: “So you’re from thigh land?’” while grossly caressing his thigh. And, “Can you say ‘Thank you, come again’ in an Indian accent?”
Tiffy: While I’m getting a drink at the bar, a guy tried to touch my butt to show off to his friends. And when I tried to leave, he stopped me and said “I’m getting you a drink, why be so prude.”
Jida: In China, someone asked me, “How much?”

What’s the worst date you’ve been on and why?

John: I went on a date with a girl I met at a club. On our first date she invited two of her girlfriends to join us for dinner. When the bill came, they didn’t even flinch. They expected me to pay, so I did. Super fail.
Arnaud: I went on a beach holiday with a daughter of my dad’s client, she was 5 or 6 years older than me, but really charming, except she turned out to be a fetish addict into hardcore BDSM. Not my type.
Natthawatt: The one who had me waiting at Paragon for four hours. Naturally, I ignored the rest of her texts and calls.
Nao: A guy asked me out for dinner and he took me to a French restaurant. I didn’t like anything he ordered. Then we went back to his hotel to have sex and his penis was tiny! Everything was just wrong.
Samuel: I met a girl in Paris, and the next day she asked me to meet up for coffee. She brought her mom along.
Ploy: We went to a restaurant and the guy couldn’t afford the bill. Stingy guys are the worst dates.
Nimma: Blinged-out grills. Nuff said.
Tiffy: Dating a guy that treats you like a friend makes me confused and totally ruins the moment.
Jida: No, every date always has something good.

What do you think men want in a woman?

Dutchan: Respect and sex, of course.
Jao: Sexual satisfaction, loyalty, honesty and trust.
Arnaud: At first we want perfection, and when it’s not possible, a man will ask for a smile because it means everything.
G.E.: Men either want a woman who they can take care of or a hot woman. Seriously, men are so confusing. When they find a good woman, most of the time they don’t know how to keep them.
Shan: Men want a woman who is attractive, smart (but not too smart that they’re overshadowed) and good in bed.
Jeremy: Someone who doesn’t nag.
Noodie: Independence.
Hariti: Sex and loyalty, respect, passion, maturity and pleasure.
Nimma: T&A
Tiffy: Ability to make decisions, trust and caring
Jida: Freedom and also understanding.

What do you think women want from a man?

Jao: Financial stability, security, honesty and sexual exclusivity.
G.E.: A sexy man, obviously... like a really fit, strong, sexy, smart, mature and cultured man. Someone who makes you feel safe and secure and sexy.
Chaew: Someone who offers something she doesn’t already have, and they need to be funny.
Chirada: People seek security and certainty in life, which is what you expect to find in a man that you love.
Natthawatt: A good man that will take care of her for the rest of her life.
John: The three most desirable attributes in a man are: Looks, swagger and money.
Hariti: Security, safety, maturity, pleasure, adventure, loyalty, passion, respect and sex.
Nimma: Love, friendship, protection, excitement, stimulating conversations.
Tiffy: Trust.
Jida: Understanding.

What’s the best thing about being single?

Dutchan: All the free time that I get to spend with friends, family and myself.
Chirada: It’s a good opportunity to dedicate your time to find peace and happiness for yourself. You have more time to discover your passion in life instead of focusing your passion on him or her.
Hariti: No strings attached.
Nimma: Options.
Tiffy: Freedom.
Jida: Freedom.

Why do you think you are still single?

Dutchan: My personality is very tom-boyish, so maybe I’m better at being a guy’s friend.
Jao: I’m not single, but I can’t afford (financially and emotionally) another real commitment.
Pook: I choose my own way. I only pick what’s best and I’m very picky.
Jeremy: I haven’t found a person yet that understands me.
Arnaud: I`m not single. I’m in a long-standing relationship with fun and freedom.
Nimma: Quality men are hard to come by.
Tiffy: Women stay single because they’re waiting for the right one.
Jida: I don’t understand others.

What’s the best thing about being in a relationship?

Jao: Having consistent sexual satisfaction
Arnaud: When one of the partners remembers every little detail about the other one.
G.E.: Sex
Natthawatt: To have someone be there by your side and share your story.
Shan: Knowing that you have someone at home to come back to each day and someone to hold at night.
Pook: Being treated sweetly and getting attended to every five minutes.
Chaew: The feeling of power you get. The power of having a stronger opinion and resistance to things that you would not have when you are single.
Anita: A feeling that at the end of the day that no matter what happens, I still have someone that will be there for me and will be on my side.
Hariti: Comfort.
Nimma: Someone to share your everyday ups and downs with.
Tiffy: Having a friend who understands me the most.
Jida: Having someone you can share anything with at any time.

What’s the worst thing about being in a relationship?

Jao: Not having consistent sexual satisfaction.
Arnaud: You can’t pass out on the street or at a friend’s house anymore, or else she will cut something off you, or you’ve got to be the best liar of the year.
Natthawatt: To live with a bitch and have bad sex!
Shan: The worst thing is worrying about the other person.
Nao: I feel like I have to take care of his mother and family. I have to think of them and spend time with them; his mom always wants to go shopping with me.
Ploy: People who are too clingy.
Chirada: When two people become too attached and don’t manage to find the time to do what each of them love in life. A good relationship should support the other to become a better person.
Hariti: Becoming fragile.
Nimma: Well, if it’s the right person, then nothing.
Tiffy: Not have a hundred percent freedom in making decisions. Easily getting hurt.
Jida: No more freedom.