Cover David Gan, co-founder and CEO of Tipsy Collective, opens up about the milestones while building the business (Photo: Darren Gabriel Leow)
David Gan, co-founder and CEO of Tipsy Collective, opens up about the milestones while building the business (Photo: Darren Gabriel Leow)
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In our My First video series, co-founder and CEO David Gan talks about his most significant moments in Tipsy Collective, the lifestyle hospitality group that has ignited Singapore’s nightlife culture
From neighbourhood pubs to a beach club fashioned after a mythical creature, David Gan’s Tipsy Collective has indelibly impacted Singapore’s nightlife scene. Known for its iconic animal-themed restaurant bars with a vibrant ambience, the group prides itself on creating the perfect vibe for its patrons.
Under Gan’s leadership, Tipsy Collective has flourished into a vibrant lifestyle hospitality group, launching 14 distinct brands and 12 establishments between 2019 to 2024 in Singapore and Malaysia. These ventures include eclectic noodle bars, a dynamic Vegas-style beach club, cosy lounges and venues offering live entertainment—creating engaging, diverse dining experiences that resonate with a broad audience.
Read more: Tipsy Unicorn co-founder shares insights on building Singapore’s largest beach club in Sentosa
Above David Gan and his late co-founder came up with the idea for Tipsy Unicorn after dreaming of a beach getaway at the height of the 2020 pandemic (Photo: Tipsy Collective)
David Gan and his late co-founder came up with the idea for Tipsy Unicorn after dreaming of a beach getaway at the height of the 2020 pandemic (Photo: Tipsy Collective)
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Following the sudden demise of Gan’s co-founder, Derek Ong, just days before Tipsy Unicorn was set to open in Aug 2023, the entrepreneur was faced with challenges and tough decisions as this unfortunate turn of events cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory milestone for the company.
In June 2024, Tatler Gen.T recognised Gan as one of our Leaders of Tomorrow. Our latest video series, My First, is a collection of sixty-second videos featuring our honourees’ first significant moments in their careers. Here are some of the highlights from Gan’s interview.
Watch the My First series on the Tatler Gen.T Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.
Read more: Meet the 43 Gen.T leaders of tomorrow from Singapore
His first turning point
“Before Tipsy Collective, I ran an F&B business in Canada for two to three years. One of my managers once remarked on the unique social aspect of the industry; noting how people from diverse backgrounds gathered together. This sparked a realisation about the unifying power of food and nightlife, inspiring me to create spaces where people from all walks of life could connect.”
The first company crisis
“Last August, we faced a profound loss with the sudden passing of my co-founder as we were launching our largest project, Tipsy Unicorn and developing Tipsy Flamingo in Kuala Lumpur. The loss created a period of uncertainty and instability within our team.”
Managing difficult times
Above With 14 distinct brands and 12 establishments, Gan credits his strong team of about 290 for the company’s success (Photo: Tipsy Collective)
With 14 distinct brands and 12 establishments, Gan credits his strong team of about 290 for the company’s success (Photo: Tipsy Collective)
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“I wouldn’t say that the crisis is over, but we have progressed so much since then. In any phase of our business, during different phases and seasons of our life, crisis is a constant. The only crucial thing is how we manage ourselves during a crisis, how we manage the people around us and the people following us.”
Dealing with fear and anxiety
“Following the company crisis I experienced intense anxiety, waking up with heart palpitations and was unable to sleep. I was worried about facing my problems without any clear solutions. However, with help and support, this stress taught me valuable lessons about finding peace. I learned to channel this anxiety into strength, focusing on what needed to be accomplished at work.”
Quotes are edited for brevity and clarity.
Meet more Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2024 from Singapore.
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Tatler Gen.T My First series
In Tatler Gen.T’s My First video series, we explore the milestones of the Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow who are positively influencing the region, setting a path for those who will follow in their footsteps.
