GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

After 34 years in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) (Rtd) Gary Chow realised his dream of running his own business and is now a successful 7-11 franchisee.

Most people might think that at the age of 53, it is much too late to start pursuing your aspirations.

But in 2006, while most of his peers were making retirement plans, 2WO (Rtd) Chow was surveying potential sites to identify locations with high traffic flow, balancing accounts and managing manpower.

"When I was about to finish my 10-year bond with the SAF in the 1980s, the economy was bleak. I had already thought of coming out to run a 7-11 store, but franchise fees were very high at that time. After I left the force in 2006, I decided to try again," said the father of two.

Starting a second life

During the first three months of his business, he worked 16-hour days to familiarise himself with the trade.

"Business is not easy. Everyone wants to be rich overnight but it's really not that simple," said 2WO (Rtd) Chow. "In this line, there is no time to go for holidays. It's 24/7, like the SAF. When I had to go to Kuala Lumpur for three days, my phone rang non-stop."

All his hard work, however, has paid off and led him to where he is today - a franchisee of five of the ubiquitous 7-11 stores.

2WO (Rtd) Chow started out as an electrician in the SAF. He then became Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Direct Support Maintenance Base (renamed 3rd Army Maintenance Base), and was an instructor at the Ordnance Engineering Training Institute before taking on the Contract Liaison Officer post at Headquarters Maintenance and Engineering Support (HQ MES), now known as MES Command.

With truckloads of experience in maintaining vehicles but close to none in managing a business, 2WO (Rtd) Chow bridged the gap with skills gleaned from his time with the SAF, contacts built up over the years and a full glass of courage.

"You have to be daring. When I started my first store, many of my peers who were about to retire came to see me. They asked me 'How? Can do or not?' I told them it was possible but they must have commitment and dare to take risks, as not every store will make a profit."

Success story

Besides picking up business tips from fellow retired military officers who had gone on to become successful businessmen, 2WO (Rtd) Chow revealed that the training he received from the SAF also influenced the way he ran his business.

"What I learnt from the SAF is still applicable to what I am doing now, especially in managing people. As a boss, I have to think about how I can do things better so that my staff will want to stay longer."

For instance, 2WO (Rtd) Chow promised monetary rewards as an incentive for his staff to hit their sales targets. It worked.

He started off with a small space at Khatib MRT in 2007 and after three years, did well enough to take on four more stores in the Jurong and Yishun areas.

Even with the business growth, it is not all a bed of roses. 2WO (Rtd) Chow was quick to point out that with the expansion, manpower deployment is always at the back of his mind.

"Initially, when I had two stores, it was pretty easy to manage. With five, my wife and I have to stand in any time one of my staff is unable to report for work."

His day usually begins at 7am and ends as late as 11pm. Despite the long hours, 2WO (Rtd) Chow remains enthusiastic about his work.

"It was my family's encouragement that made me take that step forward. I didn't worry because I knew they were supporting me. And when I want to do something, I want to do it well."

Only one question remains: At what age will he really retire?

2WO (Rtd) Chow plans to hand the reins of the business to his elder son when his contract is up for renewal in two years. "If I have $2,000 every month to play golf and drink beer, I'll be very happy," he jested.

This grandfather of three won't be jobless though. "In the morning, I send my grandchildren to the nursery. That's my job!"

"Having my own small business is something I've always wanted to do, and I'm very happy to do what I'm doing now. It's something to look forward to every day and it's like a family business."

- 2WO (Ret) Gary Chow