• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • Costa Rhu: Jyoti’s spacious & central Tanjong Rhu condo
        • Shop dress shoes for men in SingaporeDress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore
        • living in singapore demographics expat living reader surveyEXPAT LIVING READER SURVEY 2023
        • Forex trading for beginnersHow to start forex trading in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Image of cool things to do for kids in Singapore, watching white tiger in Singapore ZooWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • Sailing Yacht Charter in SingaporeLuxury yacht rentals in Singapore
        • Where to watch the F1 2023 and party!
        • One Rishta - a website for happiness and culture in Singapore from Rituparna senguptaA new way to access creativity and culture in Singapore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Centre Stage performing arts and drama classes in SingaporeTop ballet, dance and drama classes in Singapore
        • agora colearning inclusive learning environmentThis new preschool has a personalised learning environment
        • learning journey community SASMaking the student learning journey exciting
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent costumes for Halloween in Singapore & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture?
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
        • Modern interior design with a touch of tradition!
        • Singapore home decor by Originals7 best furniture stores for home décor in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • Indonesia travel - where to stay in BaliIndonesia travel – Where to stay in Bali & island resorts
        • Sailing Yacht Charter in SingaporeLuxury yacht rentals in Singapore
        • Beach Villas Wakatobi Indonesian island resort6 Reasons to Book These Beach Villas!
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
        • The best birthday cakes in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Shop dress shoes for men in SingaporeDress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore
        • Six shades full set Bigen Men Beard ColorDye your beard like an expert – at home!
        • Tiffany Cook and Caroline Chin Geyler from T&C Gemstones and JewelleryBespoke jewellery created by a pair of gem lovers!
        • Try the best Spas in Singapore for some pampering!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts about allergies, their symptoms and insurance
        • art therapy depression treatmentNavigating depression with Experiential Therapy
        • The best personal trainers and personal training gyms in SingaporeWhere to go for personal trainers in Singapore
        • Sport clubs in SingaporeWant to join a sports team?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Entrepreneur Stories – Setting up a business in Singapore

21st October 2021 by Dinesh Ajith 4 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/entrepreneurs-in-singapore-business/

We meet a trailing spouse who moved here for her husband’s job, only to start her own global venture fitting out hotels and more. Now they both work for the business! She talks to us about setting up business and being one of many entrepreneurs in Singapore that have found it pro-business.

In 2008, after studying and working in New York for almost two decades, ARCHANA VELUKUTTY came to Singapore with husband Bharat Vijayan and their twin boys. While the move was precipitated by Bharat’s job in private banking, it was in Singapore that she saw the opportunity to create a business that fulfilled her vision of connecting people across cultures.

We chat with Archana and find out a little more about how she grew her brands, and why Singapore was an ideal place for an expat to start her own business.

entrepreneurs in singapore
Archana Velukutty

What’s the story behind The Varisan Group?

Majoring in psychology and economics in New York, I developed a deep understanding of both people and business. I then spent a decade working with an international firm in New York that dealt with fashion and home furnishing. My experience helped me understand the harmony between people, objects and spaces – this is what enabled me to create uniquely beautiful living experiences.

My passion has always been to bring people together through food and events. So, during my early years in Singapore, I began consulting on a friend’s seaside villa renovation. During this project, I saw an opportunity to launch a business here that offered a complete design and procurement solution.

Was Singapore a good place to get started?

This is a great place for entrepreneurs because it has pro-business policies and provides clear guidance on starting up a business quickly. And the location in Southeast Asia also gives us access to a large market both in the East and the West. In addition, the business environment is stable and encouraging to foreign investment; so it’s been hugely beneficial as a base for our group of companies.

After starting the company, I connected with designers and manufacturers in Italy and Asia and brought them into The Varisan Group’s network. During this period, we saw a rise in the number of clients with luxury residential and hospitality projects. Over the years, we developed strong relationships with importers and manufacturers in Asia and Italy, allowing us to source the best products for our clients at competitive prices.

entrepreneurs in singapore
Viro

Why do you think The Varisan Group is a success story?

Varisan is proof that you can build something successful through hard work and passion. As the business expanded across the globe, my husband left his job and joined me in heading The Varisan Group.

A decade later, we are busier than ever with two established brands in furniture and design: Varisan and Vero. To remain vital and relevant, we’re constantly looking for new collaborations with the biggest names in design, product and hospitality.

What are some collaborations you’re excited about?

One successful collaboration is with Bertani S.p.a. – a renowned name in Italian distribution with over a hundred years of history. We’ve also partnered with acclaimed Indian interior designer Sussanne Khan and J. Bradley Hilton, grandson of hotelier Conrad Hilton. These collaborations were years in the making and have launched two new brands: Vero Sussanne Khan and Hilton Vero Luxury Concepts.

The Vero Sussanne Khan partnership came together because of our shared passion for culture and aesthetics. As the Creative Director of VSK, Sussanne Khan showcases unique fusion designs influenced by Eastern and Western cultures. Our ability to bring her designs to life lies in our network of manufacturing partnerships. This luxury collection will include partnerships with premier Italian brands and cater to global hotels, luxury homes, cruise ships and more. The collection “VSK – Chelini Edition” launched at the Salone del Mobile 2021 in Milan.

Our other partnership, Hilton Vero Luxury Concepts (HVLC), will design and provide solutions around the globe for luxury hospitality developments and yachts. This partnership was established in Singapore and brings together our collective experience in design, product ideation and procurement strategies.

entrepreneurs in singapore interior designers
Hilton Vero

What advice do you have for trailing spouses who want to start their own business?

There’s something truly special about building your own legacy. It’s about finding your passion and creating something unique. You’re going to need persistence, for sure. But if you surround yourself with people who support your dream and stay firmly connected to why you’re doing what you do, you’ll succeed.

I hope to see more female-led businesses taking the lead in solving problems and giving back to the community. Women bring a unique perspective to problems, which can add a lot of value or even disrupt very traditional markets. It’s about seeking out opportunities to grow and never letting anyone make you feel guilty for dreaming big. Singapore is also an excellent place to both raise a family and start a successful business. The framework is here for you.

Find out more about Archana’s work at varisangroup.com.


This article first appeared in the October 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the
latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

Looking for furniture? Read our huge list of furniture stores in Singapore!

Categories: Furniture & Decor Homes Living here Living in Singapore Work & Finance Tags: varisan

Dinesh Ajith

Dinesh is a seasoned writer and editor with seven years of experience covering travel, restaurants and bars. His interests include film photography, cheesy 90s monster flicks, and scouring the island for under-the-radar craft beer bars.

You May Also Like

Costa Rhu: Jyoti’s spacious & central Tanjong Rhu condo

Shop dress shoes for men in Singapore

Dress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore

living in singapore demographics expat living reader survey

EXPAT LIVING READER SURVEY 2023

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.