Despite having 5 failed businesses prior to launching her grocery store chain, this 35-year-old entrepreneur now generates over $8 million in annual revenue.

Success didn't come easy for Pang Gek Teng.

After five unsuccessful business ventures, the 35-year-old entrepreneur successfully established a multimillion-dollar grocery store chain in Singapore.

She is the proud founder and CEO of Surrey Hills Grocer, a brand with five locations in Singapore that offers an Australian-inspired grocery and café experience.

Last year, her business generated approximately $8 million in sales, as stated in an unconfirmed company statement shared with CNBC Make It.

Growing up in Singapore, Pang never expected she would become an entrepreneur.

Her parents, a homemaker and an engineer, have always urged her to follow the conventional route to success: attend college and secure a steady job.

That's just what she did — but she was not happy.

Pang admitted to CNBC Make It that he doesn't fully understand the concept of education, so he attends school primarily to meet the demands of society.

"My school approach is viewed as a task that must be completed, so I simply finish it. It is also something that my parents desire for me to accomplish."

Ditching her banking job

In 2008, Pang moved to Australia, where she attended university.

She obtained a bachelor's degree in management and marketing at the University of Newcastle and landed a job as a banker, but she did not feel fulfilled.

"Pang stated that he knew he couldn't work the job until retirement because he had a personal belief that if he didn't believe in it, it would be difficult for him to complete the task."

By 2015, Pang decided to quit her job as a banker and take the leap into entrepreneurship after casually brainstorming business ideas with friends.

Navigating the entrepreneurial world

Pang founded five different businesses before starting Surrey Hills Grocer.

She started with a tour agency, then moved on to a real estate rental business, followed by a watch business called Daybook Watches, a brick-and-mortar grain bowl business called Surch, and finally a home-cooked food delivery business.

Unfortunately, none of those business ventures worked out.

In 2021, when Pang returned to Singapore, she possessed only 362 Australian dollars ($235).

"I never thought I would go back into business due to various events, and my parents advised me to be more practical with my life and follow a more normal path."

The million-dollar idea

Despite being jaded from years of trying to start businesses, Pang persevered and succeeded on her sixth attempt.

While driving in 2021, she reflected on her time in Surry Hills, Australia, and considered introducing an Australian grocer-café concept to Singapore.

In that same year, Alvin Lau invested $293,800 into her business and is now the founding shareholder of Surrey Hills Grocer.

Pang said, "He always believed me when I said the moon was yellow, even though it's not true. That's why I value his trust so much."

In December 2021, Pang launched her first Surrey Hills Grocer store and later opened four more locations.

According to unaudited statements seen by CNBC, she stated that she is on track to exceed her 2023 revenue of $8 million (SG$11 million) and has been averaging SG$1.4 million in monthly sales this year.

Pang is currently producing her own line of pet products called Furry Hills, and is also working on launching a Japanese ramen restaurant, a Spanish restaurant, and a Taiwanese shabu restaurant, all of which are set to open in the third quarter of this year.

Biggest lessons

Starting her own business has not been easy for Pang.

"Sometimes I'm poorer than working for someone," she said.

She stated that the satisfaction of establishing her own business and creating job opportunities for others cannot be found anywhere else.

Here are 3 key lessons she learned on her journey:

1. Prepare for things within your control and have faith for things outside your control.
2. Let the fear of failure inspire you.
3. Listen to your gut and take the leap when you see an opportunity.

Pang stated that what distinguished her from others who aspired to launch a business was her seizing of an opportunity that others had overlooked.

She shared a story that has motivated her. Two birds were perched on a branch. One inquired: "What if I tumble?" The other responded: "But what if you don't?"

"This story inspired my entire entrepreneurial journey," she stated. "Although I may not be the most intelligent or have the financial resources — [yet] because I was determined to succeed, I discovered the necessary strategies to achieve my goals."

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