‘I started my business in my bedroom with one 3D printer'
'I started my business in my bedroom with one 3D printer' Your Singapore Story: At just 20 years old, this young entrepreneur has already made a name for himself selling affordable designer lamps – and he learnt everything from YouTube
Mr Jovi Lim's entrepreneurial dream started in his bedroom last year.
With money he saved up from his internship stint, the 20-year-old Singapore Polytechnic graduate bought a 3D printer and spent countless nights poring over video tutorials of design principles and picking up 3D modelling software skills – all via YouTube.
Watch his video here.
Today, he has his own brand, Sonogo, which retails designer lamps made from sustainable plant-based materials. Over 350 units have since been sold.
His works appeal to his growing customer base because of their clean and sophisticated designs, wallet-friendly prices and the stories they tell.
Here, Mr Lim tells us how his business started and what he does to set himself apart from the competition.
Using his internship savings, Mr Lim bought a 3D printer and taught himself 3D modelling through YouTube tutorials.
PHOTO: SPH MEDIA
'I started my business in my bedroom with one 3D printer. I didn't have some grand plan – it was just me messing around, making toothbrush holders and cardholders for fun. A passion project. Then I discovered lamps.
I've always been drawn to architecture and interior design, and lamps can make a home feel very cosy. But a lot of designer lamps out there are very expensive, way out of reach for students like myself. So I started creating and selling designer lamps, but at a reasonable price. That's how Sonogo started.
Everything I know about design, I learnt from YouTube. I spent nights teaching myself Fusion 360 (a 3D design software) and learning product design from scratch. My first prototypes were rough. Inspired by Japanese paper lanterns, the Haju Lamp was my first creation. It took seven iterations before I was happy with it. Now, it takes me two or three tries – about two months to fully produce a new design.
When I sold my very first piece, my website chimed. I remember jumping around excitedly, telling my mum about it… and it wasn't even a friend or family member who purchased it – but a total stranger. It was a good feeling. I ran the business on my own while studying full-time at Singapore Polytechnic. I was in my final year then. It was super difficult. So, I experimented with a drop-based model. Instead of keeping my online store open 24/7, I announced sales periods, collated orders and then produced and shipped them. That way, I could balance work, school and my business.
If you ask me what sets Sonogo apart from other brands, the answer is simple: It's the personal aspect. Every lamp has a story. I get inspired by what's around me – a crescent moon, a necklace from someone dear to me. I don't make random shapes. I also do everything from A to Z: I sketch, prototype, 3D print and ship every piece myself. I try to connect with my audience and share snippets of my creative journey with them.
Sustainability is also a big part of what I do. My lamps are made from PLA, or polylactic acid, a material derived from plants such as cornstarch and sugarcane. It can be recycled or easily broken down. Singapore is too hot right now, I think we need to step up our game and move towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.'
For generations, The Straits Times has told The Singapore Story. To celebrate our 180th anniversary, we're putting the spotlight on our communities – for you to tell us yours, from all around Singapore. Discover the stories from your neighbourhood as the series continues at Your Singapore Story.
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