Kelvin Tan, better known by his online persona Ma Yi Duo, has made a name for himself as an entrepreneur, content creator, and all-around creative force. From his early forays into business to his daring stunts on social media, here are five surprising facts about the man behind the ‘Ah Beng’ persona.
1. A Born Entrepreneur
From a young age, Kelvin Tan was determined to break free from the cycle of financial hardship. His entrepreneurial journey began at a very young age, when he took on various part-time jobs to support his ambitions. At that time, he was also experimenting with his own business ventures such as reselling imported handbags and later launching a T-shirt printing operation. Today, as the founder of multiple enterprises including the interior design firm SG Interior KJ, Kelvin seamlessly blends his business acumen with his flair for content creation.
2. Went Bungee Jumping to Celebrate Sales Milestones
One of the highlights of Kelvin’s career in influencer marketing in Singapore was when he promised to go bungee jumping if he reached a specific goal during a Shopee 9.9 livestream. With a target set at S$99,000, he not only reached but exceeded it by achieving S$102,000 in sales. True to his word, despite not being an avid thrill-seeker—and even as a self-proclaimed “pui kia” weighing 108kg—he took the plunge, broadcasting his daring jump live to an audience that cheered his bold move.
3. Once Overcame Commercial Hardship Through Unconventional Means
Not every chapter in Kelvin’s journey has been marked by high-flying success. In 2015, after a failed business partnership that resulted in a loss exceeding S$200,000, he faced one of the toughest periods of his career. Struggling to manage the stress and responsibilities of an overwhelmed business, he found solace in solitude—spending an entire week chain-smoking on the staircase of his office. This period of reflection ultimately led him to devise a solution, reinforcing his resilience in the face of adversity and reputation as a go-to choice for anyone looking to do KOL marketing around entrepreneurship.
4. Renovated His HDB BTO Home for Free
In an innovative twist on self-promotion, Kelvin transformed his own HDB Build-to-Order flat into a showcase for his interior design company. Instead of shouldering the full cost of a renovation that would have exceeded hundreds of thousands of dollars, he arranged for over 20 contractors to work on his four-room flat at Punggol’s Northshore in exchange for “advertising space.” This creative strategy not only resulted in a fully renovated home at no cost but also served as a dynamic marketing campaign to highlight his company’s capabilities—a win-win scenario for all involved.
5. Relentless in Pursuit of New Challenges
Kelvin’s drive doesn’t stop at business ventures and creative content. His schedule is a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings, content production, and livestream sessions, often leaving little time for anything else. Despite acknowledging the challenges of a workaholic lifestyle, he remains committed to testing the limits of what he can achieve. This relentless pursuit of excellence is a key ingredient in his continuous evolution as both an entrepreneur and an entertainer.
Conclusion
Kelvin Tan’s story shows that success isn’t about following the rules—it’s about taking risks, learning from failures, and making bold moves. His journey proves that practical innovation and hard work can turn even the toughest setbacks into opportunities.
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Image Credit: @mayiduosg
