15/04/2026
Thinking of a glorious life as a café owner? Think twice. Think thrice.
An involved owner ain't all rainbows and butterflies. Unless you're a silent investor.
Behind every “cute café” reel is a different reality:
Water leaking before service.
Espresso machine acting up during peak hour.
Freezer deciding today is the day to retire.
Grease traps. Choked pipes. Broken lights. Supplier delays. Staff shortages. Last-minute no-shows.
Then the owner becomes plumber, technician, cleaner, HR, marketer, cashier, dishwasher, therapist and Chief Problem Solver — all before lunch.
In Singapore, F&B isn’t just about making good food. It’s surviving high rents, rising utilities, manpower challenges, ingredient inflation and customers who think a full plate should still cost 2019 prices. Industry reports continue to cite rent, labour and operating costs as major pain points for local businesses.
So when self-proclaimed “industry watchers” romanticise café ownership from the sidelines, just know: aesthetics are easy to film. Accountability is harder to capture.
This business is built on sore backs, dirty hands, sleepless nights and choosing to show up again tomorrow. No shortcuts, no scrimping on ingredients and quality. For the sake of community, sustainability, health & happiness. Of yours, of mine, of the Earth's.
Respect the operators still standing.
Especially the ones mopping the floor after posting the reel.
For those who continue to support local, and real..
THANK YOU.
Wishing everyone health & happiness always,
Chloe
𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳 & 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳
𝘓𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘤 𝘖𝘢𝘬