Last Sunday, I was outside cleaning the sidewalk in front of my bookstore, Wardoh Books. A young business owner passed by, stopped, and said:
“You’re so lucky. Your bookstore blew up overnight!”
I smiled and thanked him… but inside, I couldn’t help laughing a little. Not because he was wrong. Not because he meant anything bad. But because he didn’t know what “overnight success” looked like in my life.
My “overnight” took 13 years — and it began with a failure that almost destroyed my confidence.
Why I’m Sharing This Story
If you’re reading this, maybe you’re going through a tough moment too. Maybe something you tried didn’t work. Maybe people around you are moving ahead while you feel stuck behind.
I know that feeling well. I felt it for years.
This isn’t a guide or a lesson. This is simply my real story — the quiet parts, the embarrassing parts, the painful parts — that shaped who I became. I hope it reminds you that progress doesn’t always look like progress.
2001–2010: The Years Nobody Saw
Starting From the Very Bottom
In 2001, my first job was at a tiny local bookstore. My daily routine was simple:
- Arrange books
- Dust shelves
- Sweep floors
While my friends worked in comfortable offices, I earned minimum wage and went home smelling like old paper. But I kept showing up. Every day. I didn’t know it yet, but consistency would become the strongest part of my journey.
Quiet Learning Years
Around 2004, I asked my boss if I could learn about printing. He said yes. So during the day, I sold books. At night, I learned about machines, paper quality, pricing, and suppliers.
No one noticed. No one praised me. But that silent learning became the foundation of something much bigger later.
2012–2013: My First Business — and the Failure That Broke Me
By 2010, I felt ready for something new. In 2012, I opened a bookstore with a partner. I felt confident because I had years of experience. But experience alone wasn’t enough.
The Collapse
Fifteen months later, the business failed.
My partner left. My savings disappeared. I had boxes of books I couldn’t sell. And I became “the guy who failed” in my own community. The emotional part hurt the most — the looks, the whispers, the avoidance.
Looking back, that failure changed me. It humbled me. It forced me to look at myself honestly. It taught me that I still had a lot to learn, not about business, but about myself — patience, resilience, and what it really means to start again.
2014: Starting Over With $8,000 and No Pride Left
The Turning Point
In 2014, I attended a short course at the National University of Singapore. Something clicked inside me. Not motivation — clarity. I realized I wasn’t finished. I just needed a fresh start.
Letting Go to Begin Again
I sold my car because I needed the money. My parents helped me secure an $8,000 loan — their last financial support for me. I felt pressure like I’d never felt before.
I reopened under a new name: Wardoh Books.
No celebration. No decoration. Just shelves, books, and the lessons burned into me from failure.
Doing It Differently This Time
I didn’t follow any special formula. I simply did what felt genuine and manageable: I focused on the people who walked into my shop. I paid attention instead of assuming. I tracked things carefully. I tried to understand what mattered to readers.
Growth was slow. Sometimes painfully slow. But it was real — and that mattered to me.
2014–2024: The Long, Quiet Climb
Wardoh Books didn’t go viral. We didn’t explode overnight. We didn’t become a trending topic. But we grew — quietly, steadily.
By 2016, we produced our first book collection. Then more. By 2022, we had released 12 collections with 40 Singaporean writers. We built a community of readers who trusted us. And little by little, people started noticing.
What People Don’t See
When someone says I’m “lucky,” they don’t see:
- The dusty bookstore floors in 2001
- The failed shop in 2013
- The car I sold
- The nights I lay awake thinking about rent
People see the result, not the years it took. And honestly? That’s okay.
What I Hope You Take From This
1. Progress Is Slow — and That’s Normal
My “overnight success” took 13 years. Yours might take longer. Or shorter. There is no right timeline.
2. Failure Isn’t the End
Everyone who builds something meaningful goes through moments when everything collapses. What matters is how you choose to respond afterward.
3. You Are Not Falling Behind
If you feel stuck right now, I’ve been there. Those “invisible” years — the years no one sees — are still part of your growth. Sometimes they are the most important years of all.
What I’d Tell My Younger Self
If I could talk to myself in 2001, I’d simply say: Keep going. Even when nothing makes sense yet. What feels small now will matter later. Don’t rush to catch up with anyone — your path is your own.
Trust the process, even when you don’t understand it. Your time will come. Just not overnight.
Final Thoughts: Your Success Will Come at Its Own Pace
If you’re reading this because you feel lost, defeated, or invisible — I understand. I’ve lived that feeling.
But here’s what I learned: Success isn’t about luck or speed. It’s about showing up on the days when no one is watching, no one is praising you, and no one believes in you.
Your “overnight success” might be 5 years away. Maybe 10. Maybe 20. But as long as you keep going — quietly, slowly, honestly — it will come.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s this: as long as you keep going… it can come.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the personal experience of the author. It does not constitute professional financial or business advice. Starting a business involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research or consult with a professional advisor before making significant financial decisions.
