Starting a side hustle or a small business from scratch in Singapore is not easy feat. From being your own business and product development team, to doing your own marketing and sales, and all back end operations and supply chain matters, it is almost 1 talent for 10 roles.
If you are on the verge of starting one and not sure what to expect, we summarise 10 tips in this article, that aims to not only kickstart your ventures but also establish a mindset and framework for sustained success:
1. Define Your Vision and Purpose

Understand why you want to start this venture. Is it for financial freedom, passion, impact, or personal growth? Clarifying your purpose keeps you focused during challenges. Craft a vision for your business that aligns with your personal goals. Let this vision guide your daily decisions and long-term strategies.
For example, you’re starting a health food business because you noticed a gap in nutritious, affordable snacks for busy professionals in Singapore.
3 Immediate Actionable Steps:
Write down your vision statement in one sentence. Example: “To make healthy, accessible snacks for busy professionals in Singapore.”
List three short-term goals that align with this vision, like “Introduce 2 products by end of Q1, gain 100 recurring customers by Q2, and get into one local grocery chain by end of year.”
Print this vision statement and goals, and place them where you’ll see them daily to stay motivated.
2. Adopt a Success Mindset
Shift from an employee mindset to an entrepreneurial one. This means embracing uncertainty, seeing failures as learning opportunities, and pushing through self-doubt. Develop mental resilience and practice self-awareness. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) techniques can help you reframe limiting beliefs and unlock new possibilities for your venture.
For example, you’re used to the stability of a corporate role, and your desire to launch a side hustle in online tutoring is making you nervous about instability.
3 Immediate Actionable Steps:
Identify limiting beliefs (e.g., “I’m not ready for the competition in Singapore’s education market”).
Reframe these beliefs into positive affirmations (e.g., “I offer a unique, personalized tutoring experience tailored to local exam requirements”)
Practice these beliefs daily to shift your mindset from an employee to an entrepreneur.
3. Start with a Lean Business Model
Use a minimum viable product (MVP) approach to test ideas quickly with minimal investment. This allows you to validate your concept in the market, make adjustments based on feedback, and avoid costly mistakes.
Singapore's fast-paced market values efficiency. Leveraging a lean approach allows you to iterate quickly and adapt to market demands without overcommitting resources.
For example, instead of opening a physical store for your product, begin by selling through Instagram or Shopee.
3 Immediate Actionable Steps:
Identify your MVP. If you’re selling handmade crafts, start with one or two items you can sell online.
Set up a social media profile or a simple website to take orders.
Run a small ad campaign with a minimal budget (e.g., $50) to gauge interest and test demand.
4. Build a Strategic Foundation

Map out your business systems and processes. These systems should cover everything from customer acquisition to delivery and follow-up. Strong foundations give your business structure, reliability, and scalability. Regularly review your objectives and adjust your strategy. Setting short-term milestones and longer-term goals keeps you on track and lets you measure success.
For example, you’re starting a digital marketing service aimed at helping Singaporean SMEs.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Map out your service offerings, like “SEO and social media management tailored for local businesses.”
Write down a clear 1-page process from client inquiry to completion, which improves your professional credibility.
Schedule quarterly reviews to refine your service packages and leverage Enterprise Singapore’s resources, such as the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) for business improvement.
5. Focus on Customer-Centricity and Branding
Identify your target audience's pain points, desires, and aspirations. Then, design your offerings to meet these needs. Singapore’s competitive market rewards businesses that prioritize customer experience and build strong brand loyalty. Leverage social media and online channels to establish your brand. Showcase your unique value and build credibility by sharing success stories, educational content, and behind-the-scenes insights into your journey.
For example, you offer online fitness coaching for young professionals.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Create a customer persona, like “Busy professional, aged 25-35, who values convenience and results-driven fitness.”
Develop content that resonates, like 5-minute workout reels on Instagram.
Send a follow-up email to each client post-session with tips or a checklist, showing you care about their progress.
6. Optimize Your Finances

Separate personal and business finances from the start, even if your business is a side hustle. This simplifies tracking profits and expenses and ensures a clearer view of your financial health. Consider government grants and schemes available to small businesses in Singapore. Leverage financial tools and support systems designed to help small business owners thrive.
For example, you’re starting a side hustle selling handmade candles.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Open a separate bank account for your business finances to track profits and expenses accurately.
Download a free expense-tracking app, like Wave or QuickBooks Self-Employed, to monitor costs.
Check out available grants like Enterprise Singapore’s Startup SG Founder scheme for small businesses.
7. Continual Learning and Adaptation

Develop a habit of continuous learning. Whether it’s new skills, market trends, or customer preferences, staying informed ensures your business remains competitive and relevant. Embrace change and adapt. The Singapore market can be highly dynamic; agility and a willingness to pivot when necessary are critical to long-term success.
For example, you run a freelance web design business.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Sign up for one online course per quarter, such as a new design tool or marketing skill, on platforms like System.io, Coursera or Udemy.
Schedule one hour weekly to read industry articles or watch YouTube tutorials to stay updated on trends.
Set aside time quarterly to review how your services align with industry standards and adapt as needed.
8. Invest in Personal Development and Self-Care
Burnout is common among side hustlers, so prioritize self-care and maintain a balanced life. This makes you more effective in both your business and personal life.
Building a sustainable business means looking after yourself. Mental health and physical well-being are as important as the health of your business systems.
For example, you run a small consulting business while juggling a full-time job.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Block out one day monthly for personal reflection and planning for your business, recognizing that rest fuels productivity.
Practice simple stress-management techniques daily, like 10 minutes of meditation or deep breathing.
Practice mindfulness by visiting one of Singapore’s green spaces, like East Coast Park or the Botanic Gardens, once a week.
Set clear boundaries, such as no client calls after 7 PM, to avoid burnout.
9. Celebrate Small Wins
Recognize and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Building a business takes time, and acknowledging progress keeps motivation high and fuels future growth.
Reflect on what worked well, what didn’t, and what you learned. This reflective practice builds confidence, motivation, and a more resilient mindset.
For example, you’ve just secured your first 10 customers for your meal prep business.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Take a moment to recognize the milestone by treating yourself or sharing the news with family and friends.
Note what you did to achieve this goal (e.g., social media marketing, referral program) so you can replicate it.
Reflect on the journey so far and set a new milestone to aim for, such as securing 50 customers next.
10. Build Resilience Through Mentorship and Community

Seek out mentors or coaches who understand the entrepreneurial journey. They can provide guidance, accountability, and insights that shorten your learning curve. Join entrepreneur communities, attend networking events, and collaborate with other small business owners. Singapore’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is vibrant; connecting with others can open doors to partnerships, clients, and invaluable advice.
For example, you’re developing an app for budgeting, but need feedback and support.
Immediate Actionable Steps:
Join an online community, like the Singapore Entrepreneurs Network on LinkedIn or Facebook, and engage in discussions.
Reach out to at least 3 members each week to discuss common challenges and best practices.
Find a mentor or business coach with experience who can offer guidance and accountability.
Contact PTXponential Growth
The team at PTXponential Growth has 5-years’ experience of providing exceptional business coaching and consultancy services to our clients. Bespoke, highly curated and exclusive solutions and meticulous attention to the details are just a few of the things that set us apart from the rest! If you’re an aspiring side hustler or business owner exploring avenues to leverage on your strengths and creating a positive impact to the community, our professional team is here to not accentuate our commitment towards your business goals through proven and systematic processes, but also empower you to Xperience a transformational life! Contact us today to get started!
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