From $23 to $1.3 Million: The Teen Who Beat the System
At just 16 years old, Zames Chew made a decision that would change his life forever: he spent $23 to buy a website domain. What seemed like a small expense turned into the foundation for a million-dollar business.
Fast forward nine years, and the 26-year-old runs Repair.sg, a Singapore-based handyman service that pulls in $1.3 million a year. And he’s doing it with his 24-year-old brother, Amos Chew, as co-founder.
The Idea That Sparked It All
Zames originally dreamed of working at a big tech company like Google. But one day in 2016, he spotted a huge gap in the market.
“Our parents were looking for someone to fix things around the house,” Zames said. “I looked online, and there was nowhere to find reliable service providers. That’s when I thought—let’s build it ourselves.”
That $23 domain purchase? That was the first step toward a revolutionary idea: a platform connecting homeowners to trustworthy handymen.
Turning a Simple Idea into Big Money
What started as a simple solution for his parents became Repair.sg, a full-fledged business generating 1.7 million Singapore dollars a year.
The platform connects residents with vetted service providers, offering everything from plumbing and electrical repairs to home maintenance. It’s simple, convenient, and reliable—and clearly, people are willing to pay for that.
Zames says, “It’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about making life easier for people and connecting them with the right professionals.”
Lessons From a Young Entrepreneur
Zames’ journey proves that you don’t need billions to start a successful business. His story teaches us:
- Start small: A $23 investment was all it took.
- Solve real problems: Repair.sg filled a market gap no one else had noticed.
- Act early: He started at 16, giving him years to grow.
- Team up smartly: Working with his brother made scaling easier.
From Tech Dreams to Hands-On Success
Zames wanted to work in tech, but he realized you don’t need a corporate job to leverage technology for impact.
“When I was younger, my dream was always to work in big tech,” he says. “But tech can empower traditional businesses, too. We’re using it to make everyday services better, faster, and easier.”
And that’s exactly what Repair.sg does: using tech to streamline blue-collar services while keeping a customer-first approach.
What Makes Repair.sg Thrive
Repair.sg’s success comes from a combination of technology, trust, and convenience. By maintaining high standards for service providers and simplifying the booking process, the Chew brothers built a business that is profitable, scalable, and highly valued by customers.
From 2016 to 2024, the company grew from a small website into a $1.3 million annual revenue machine. Proof that even “blue-collar” startups can compete with traditional tech companies.
Why This Story Inspires
Zames Chew shows that entrepreneurship doesn’t always follow the textbook path. You don’t need a degree from a top university or millions in funding to make it big.
- A small idea can create massive impact.
- Persistence beats perfection.
- Tech isn’t just for white-collar jobs—it can empower practical, everyday solutions.
He turned a teenage idea into a seven-figure business, proving that action beats hesitation.
Looking Ahead: Bigger Plans for Repair.sg
The Chew brothers aren’t stopping. Their goals include:
- Expanding their network of service providers
- Improving booking and payment systems
- Making their platform the go-to solution for home services in Singapore
Zames sums it up: “We want every household to get problems fixed quickly and reliably. Technology makes that possible, and we’re just getting started.”
Takeaway: Start Small, Think Big
From a $23 domain to a million-dollar business, Zames Chew’s journey is proof that age and resources aren’t barriers to success.
It’s a story of spotting opportunities, solving real-world problems, and taking bold action—even as a teenager.
For anyone dreaming of entrepreneurship, Zames’ story is a simple but powerful reminder: sometimes the smallest investments lead to the biggest returns.