WHERE many see doom and gloom amid the downturn, a group of young Singaporeans are seeing opportunities to make their mark on the corporate world.
Instead of duking it out with their peers in a competitive job market, they are seizing the chance to set up their own businesses, often with an innovative edge.
They are indicative of 'an increasing general awareness and acceptance of entrepreneurship among the young', Spring Singapore told my paper.
Ms Marion Abraham, senior manager of corporate communications at Spring Singapore, said its surveys showed that one in five entrepreneurs in Singapore is under 30 years old.
Mr Joseph Xia and his friend, Mr Jeff Peh, both 24 (above), are examples. They set up a firm to turn private cars into mobile advertising billboards.
Launched in March last year, their company, Renvertising, now has about 450 drivers who have ads plastered on their cars. These car owners are paid $100 a month if they clock the minimum 500km.
It has three advertisers and will have three more in the coming months.
It was tough convincing sceptical advertisers that their service would work.
'(The service) is not common at all...nobody dares to be the guinea pig,' Mr Xia said.
So he told them how Australia has similar services used by big names such as Nike and Samsung.
Now, they are encouraged by clients who say their idea is refreshing. 'It's quite motivating...we are still trying to be successful,' said Mr Xia.
