S2E18: Can you earn a living on a skilled trade?

The Straits Times Podcasts

An entrepreneur shares his hard-earned lessons on working with one’s hands.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

For much of human history, manual work and the skilled trades have been the default way to earn your keep.

Even in a small, advanced economy such as Singapore, there remains a need for this work to be done, that requires a mix of hard graft and mindfulness.

To piece together how to be successful in the trades, ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi speaks with his guest, an entrepreneur who slogged to build businesses across landscaping, hospitality and outdoor education.

His guest is:

Mr Clarence Chua, co-founder of The Sundowner Nature Experience Centre

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:53 Did Clarence always know he would be working a skilled trade?

10:07 What is the most satisfying part of Clarence’s job?

11:18 Tips for those hoping to pursue a skilled trade

21:06 Dealing with parental disapproval

Read about Mr Chua’s work here: https://str.sg/iiCi

Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz

Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy

Host: Tay Hong Yi ([email protected])

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

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Feedback to: [email protected]

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Chapters

1. Can you earn a living on a skilled trade? (00:00:00)

2. Did Clarence plan on a skilled trade job? (00:01:53)

3. The most satisfying part of Clarence’s job (00:10:07)

4. Tips for those pursuing a skilled trade (00:11:18)

5. Dealing with parental disapproval (00:21:06)