KUALA LUMPUR - As a schoolboy, he spent his holidays earning RM3 to RM5 per hour by packing corn cobs, contributing to his family's income and easing their financial burden.
Today, he is an entrepreneur and a successful one at that, running ventures in media production, postproduction, film distribution, and food and beverage (F&B).
Predeep Singh, 43, who was forced to drop out of college as he could not afford to pay his fees, attributes his growth to his perseverance and commitment to remembering his humble beginnings.
"Growing up in Segamat (Johor, and later moving to Kuala Lumpur) with my four siblings, I truly understood the meaning of poverty,” he said in an interview recently.
His father worked as a government driver while his mother was a housewife, who often had to borrow eggs and onions from neighbours to cook a meal for her family.
Predeep said taking on small jobs during the school holidays to earn an income instilled in him the virtues of hard work, patience and seizing every opportunity.
After completing his SPM, his parents borrowed money from loan sharks to pay part of his college fees at Kolej Damansara Utama. He vividly remembers a turning point during his time there.
"I can still remember the class was going on when two lecturers entered. They called my name and brought me to the office. They informed me that I hadn’t paid my fees and, as a result, I wasn’t allowed to continue with my studies. At that moment, reality hit hard... I had to leave in the middle of a class.”
Though the experience was upsetting, it became a catalyst for change. Predeep then decided to focus on making a living.
He took on various part-time jobs, including deejaying, and later worked in various companies.
Feeling his career had hit a plateau, partly due to his lack of formal qualifications, he boldly resolved to strike out on his own.
Taking the entrepreneurial leap, he co-founded a small media postproduction company in 2011 with his brother. Their venture, specialising in video editing, audio mixing, subtitling and dubbing, quickly prospered.
Expanding their business across several countries, including Thailand and Indonesia, they also forged strong ties with international platforms such as Netflix and Disney.
Predeep’s entrepreneurial spirit further drove him into the F&B industry. He launched his first F&B outlet, The First Chapter, in 2021, followed by the second one - Benang, The Second Chapter - in 2022. Both outlets are located in Kuala Lumpur. Later, he opened his third F&B outlet - Scubar, The Third Chapter - on Ko Phi Phi Island in Thailand. He is also planning to open a fourth outlet soon.
For Predeep, success is not measured solely by wealth or business growth.
"I approach every job with my heart, and no matter where I stand, I never forget the lowest point I came from. Every job, whether in business or community work, deserves full commitment,” he said.
His advice to the younger generation, especially those from modest backgrounds, is straightforward: "Don’t spend too long looking for opportunities. Give everything you do 110 percent effort, and the opportunities will come. Grab them when they do.”
Looking ahead, Predeep is focusing on expanding both the F&B and production arms of his business.
"We are exploring new ventures, possibly expanding into larger F&B outlets and continuing to develop our postproduction business internationally,” he added. - BERNAMA