Blog

Why I Stopped Buying Durian from Roadside Stalls
Why I Stopped Buying Durian from Roadside Stalls
A few years ago, a good friend of mine — let's call him K — texted me a photo at around 10pm on a Friday night. It was a box... Read more...
How to Thaw and Enjoy Durian for the Best Aroma and Texture
How to Thaw and Enjoy Durian for the Best Aroma and Texture
Durian’s aroma and texture are highly temperature-sensitive. This article breaks down the science behind proper thawing, explains why tempering matters, and provides a step-by-step method to enjoy frozen durian at... Read more...
How to Spot Great Mao Shan Wang Durian, Even in Season
How to Spot Great Mao Shan Wang Durian, Even in Season
Being “in season” doesn’t guarantee a great Mao Shan Wang. This practical guide breaks down what actually matters — from aroma and texture to ripeness, freshness, and handling — and... Read more...
Why Frozen Durian Usually Disappoints (And What’s Different Here)
Why Frozen Durian Usually Disappoints (And What’s Different Here)
Why does frozen durian so often taste watery, flat, or disappointing? This guide unpacks the science and supply-chain realities behind frozen durian, from ice crystal damage to poor fruit selection,... Read more...
Beyond "The Best Is Yet to Be": How Conquering Mandarin Unlocked My Entrepreneurial Growth
Beyond "The Best Is Yet to Be": How Conquering Mandarin Unlocked My Entrepreneurial Growth
For anyone in Singapore, the initials "ACS" conjure a specific image: a school filled with rich heritage, many colourful characters in business and politics, known memes of "we are not... Read more...
Relationships are the blood of business in Asia. Use them wisely.
Relationships are the blood of business in Asia. Use them wisely.
Some years ago, a close university friend was urgently seeking a management role in finance. She requested that I introduce her to my contact, Mr. E, a long-tenured executive at... Read more...
Why mentor startup founders? Because you gain from it too. 😊
Why mentor startup founders? Because you gain from it too. 😊
Since 2011, I advised over 2000 startups 1-to-1, mainly younger startup founders in their 20s and 30s. They basically needed a perspective in their operations, fundraising, strategic direction or even... Read more...
😮 What one fruit can do to build a town. ➡️
😮 What one fruit can do to build a town. ➡️
😮 What one fruit can do to build a town. ➡️I’m currently in Raub, Pahang, visiting farms for Spike Durian. What I saw blew me away. Raub is one of... Read more...
The Advisor Paradox: Why Well-Intended Advice Can Kill a Great Startup
The Advisor Paradox: Why Well-Intended Advice Can Kill a Great Startup
After a month of launching Spike Durian, I’ve been overwhelmed—not just by orders, but by friends, acquaintances, and even strangers on LinkedIn have flooded my inbox with well-intended advice. Some suggested... Read more...
Why Spike Durian doesn't stress on durian price volatility
Why Spike Durian doesn't stress on durian price volatility
A few friends recently sent me a Straits Times article about the current durian supply glut, asking: "Is Spike Durian affected by these falling prices?" It’s a fair question. When... Read more...
Startup Lessons: Why We Should All Be Kinder to Our Couriers
Startup Lessons: Why We Should All Be Kinder to Our Couriers
Spike Durian is still in its early chapters. To truly understand our customers' journey, my co-founders and I decided to step away from our desks and handle the deliveries ourselves.... Read more...
💛 Startup Lessons: close to 80% positive feedback - what we learn and more
💛 Startup Lessons: close to 80% positive feedback - what we learn and more
(A Founder's Note on Our First Customer Reviews) To our early supporters—our friends, family, and the first wave of Spike Durian believers—thank you. The past few months have been a... Read more...