Faucet Area’s founder began with simply S$50 to kickstart his enterprise
From keychains bearing the names of MRT stations to miniature bus fashions, transport merchandise is taking off in Singapore.
One enterprise driving this wave is TapSpace, based by 29-year-old Danial Sim—he began with simply S$50, and now, he can promote hundreds of things in a single day.
We spoke with Danial to seek out out extra about how a vacation inspiration grew right into a full-fledged enterprise, with a retailer that usually sees queues and might promote over a thousand merchandise in a single day.
The concept for Faucet Area struck him throughout a vacation in Korea
The concept for TapSpace struck Danial throughout a vacation in Korea in August 2023. There, he observed a vibrant public transport tradition and a real appreciation for transit techniques by way of collectible trinkets—one thing he realised was largely lacking again dwelling in Singapore.
On the time, Danial was working in engineering and laboratory roles, hardly the standard background for somebody launching a inventive merchandise enterprise. Although the concept of creating transport-themed collectibles had lingered behind his thoughts, he had put it on maintain as a result of calls for of his job.
But his love for public transport—and the nostalgia it evoked, from the sights and smells to the interiors—caught with him all through his every day travels round Singapore. Therefore, a 12 months later, in Aug 2024, he lastly determined to provide it a shot, beginning with a S$50 funding to check the market.
That modest funding went in direction of sourcing native producers for small-batch gadgets like keychains. Danial’s breakthrough got here when he discovered a Singapore provider prepared to work with out minimal order portions, a uncommon alternative that allow him take a look at the market with out a large upfront dedication.
Ranging from floor zero
Faucet Area’s first merchandise line launched with simply 4 MRT station keychain designs: Changi, Orchard, Punggol, and Sengkang, every priced at S$9.90.
To market his merchandise, Danial began from scratch, launching a TikTok account with zero followers. Each single evening, after dinner, Danial would religiously begin a TikTok livestream to indicate what he’s give you and interact with potential clients.
Past TikTok Store, Danial expanded to Shopee after noticing that many Singaporeans desire it for on-line purchases. Faucet Area additionally usually held pop-ups at pastime festivals to succeed in an excellent wider viewers.
Danial’s laborious work paid off finally. Each day, he would acquire “a couple of hundred followers” on social media, which proved to him that there was an urge for food for transport trinkets in Singapore.
Step by step, clients additionally started requesting further stations—Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East, Woodlands—laying the inspiration for brand spanking new product traces. Danial continued increasing, and right now he has over 250 MRT and LRT-inspired key chain designs.
Faucet Area broke even in a single 12 months
Each model has its watershed second. For TapSpace, it arrived in Aug 2025 at Takashimaya throughout a two-week invitational pop-up occasion coinciding with Singapore’s SG60 Nationwide Day celebrations.
The occasion marked a milestone for the enterprise—it broke even, promoting 1,500 items on the primary day and fully promoting out by day three.
It additionally confirmed Danial that Faucet Area might develop past a pastime. After the pop-up, he took the leap from full-time employment into full-time entrepreneurship, recognising that the rising demand for his merchandise required his full consideration.
Shortly afterwards, he even opened a bodily retail house at Burlington Sq., giving clients a spot to browse his collectibles in individual.
Increasing Faucet Area’s product vary
Past MRT stations, Faucet Area additionally gives different iconic transport symbols as keychains, such because the ‘Could I’ve a seat’ and precedence seating icons. The store even sells MRT handles as keychains—initially sourced from native scrap yards, although Danial has since positioned the unique provider for these genuine items.
Folks thought the transport handles have been 3D printed, like a faux factor. Nevertheless, after they realised that it’s the precise factor, they purchase them for humorous makes use of, not simply as keychains, however for the health club, or to stroll their canine.
Danial Sim
Aside from keychains, Faucet Area has expanded into stickers, miniature fashions of buses, trains and taxis from totally different eras, collectible figurines, and desk mats. A few of these merchandise are even offered in blind bins.
To stability native assist with effectivity, Danial works with native producers for small-batch restocking, whereas bigger manufacturing is dealt with by specialised suppliers throughout Asia—China, Malaysia, and Thailand—for sooner turnaround instances.
Ambitions to transcend merchandise & increasing abroad
In the present day, Faucet Area’s retailer sees regular demand. Based on the founder, it requires restocking two to a few instances weekly, a frequency backed by the “every day” queues it sees every single day.
Folks simply see public transport as one thing that you just take; they don’t actually consider it as a reminiscence. While you flip it into one thing memorable and collectible, individuals be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that this may have a lot recollections on this one keychain or on this one design.’ That’s the place it begins off.
Danial Sim
The store attracts a variety of consumers, from mother and father with youngsters to teams of abroad vacationers searching for genuine souvenirs past the same old Merlion keychains. Many guests come simply to browse the fastidiously curated, cosy house, which, in keeping with Danial, has been described as a ‘museum for mini Singapore transport.’
The founder has additionally managed to safe consignment placements in main retailers, together with Well-liked bookstores and Toys “R” Us.
Wanting forward, Faucet Area’s ambitions transcend merchandise into expertise. Danial is exploring NFC-enabled keychains that hyperlink to LTA wayfinding and EZ-Hyperlink techniques, aiming to merge bodily collectibles with digital utility.
As a part of his efforts of “increasing thoughtfully,” Danial can also be within the midst of arising with bilingual variations of station designs, corresponding to Japanese and English, which can enchantment higher to worldwide guests.
Worldwide enlargement can also be not off the desk. Danial just lately hosted a profitable pop-up in Kuala Lumpur showcasing merchandise impressed by Malaysian public transport, although he has not shared concrete plans for additional enlargement.
The transformation of mundane infrastructure—practice handles, station indicators, bus liveries—into coveted collectibles demonstrates that enterprise alternatives typically disguise in plain sight, ready for somebody prepared to see the extraordinary within the atypical.
You don’t have to start out with some huge cash. May be like me: begin with S$50. Use the cash you may have. You shouldn’t go all out; it is best to simply strive the small market first. In the event you go for small pop-ups round Singapore and there may be curiosity, then why not?
Danial Sim
- Discover out extra about Faucet Area right here.
- Learn different articles we’ve written on Singaporean companies right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Faucet Area
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