--- title: Singaporeans’ China Dream, Career, Business & Family In Shanghai [Chills 219 ft Roy Lin & Keith Ng] description: Join The Financial Coconut for insights on personal finance, investing, and wealth-building strategies. Start your path to financial literacy today! image: https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/maxresdefault%20(1).webp --- [Skip to content](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/chillswithtfc-219#main-content) [![Full_COlour](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Full_COlour.png?width=456&height=80&name=Full_COlour.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) - [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) Jun 5, 2025, 1:05:42 PM # Singaporeans’ China Dream, Career, Business & Family In Shanghai \[Chills 219 ft Roy Lin & Keith Ng\] ![Picture of The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20(2)-3.png?width=50&name=Square%20(2)-3.png) [The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/chillswithtfc-219) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/chillswithtfc-219) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/chillswithtfc-219) [Share this page](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/chillswithtfc-219) [![Follow The Financial Coconut](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46975693/interactive-182431637553.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL2CjCe42iR2RH2MpVX0Ej%2BKJQ%2F3A0Z7pXnUs35To%2Bo6nbKcpBVq9I98X5NUungVEwfs5YCKuM%2FaP97VxIITkTlihT57%2F%2F4XDW9rT3VR4MatSLDi%2BMU5mbQqihfX3LRRz83ij8K19OiD8UXy8sdct4t0Q%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182431637553&portalId=46975693)   Ever wondered what it's really like to run a business in China? From surviving the early 2000s recession to building innovative platforms, learn how these two seasoned Singaporean entrepreneurs spent over a decade building their ventures in the world's second-largest economy. Expect raw, unfiltered insights about the real challenges, unexpected opportunities, and what it truly takes to succeed in China's fast-paced business environment. Guests: - Roy Lin, Founder, GenTM — 13 years in Shanghai, social entrepreneur focusing on connecting master tailors globally - Keith Ng, Founder, Emilica Homes — 22 years in Kunshan—runs a furniture manufacturing business with 200+ employees Key highlights from our conversation: - The unexpected journey that turned a two-year China stint into a decade-plus adventure - Why some Singaporean entrepreneurs are still finding unprecedented opportunities in China's evolving economy - Raw truths about running a business in China—from late-night negotiations to navigating complex regulations - A fascinating new venture to revolutionize the global tailoring industry - Compelling insights about China's intense work culture and what it means for aspiring entrepreneurs Whether you're an entrepreneur eyeing the Chinese market, curious about international business, or interested in understanding the real story behind China's economic transformation, this episode offers authentic perspectives from someone who's lived it firsthand. **What We Discuss:** - [00:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=54s) Introducing Roy Lin, Founder of GenTM - [01:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=119s) Introducing Keith Ng, Founder of Emilica Homes - [08:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=513s) How affordable is the cost of living in Kunshan? - [16:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=1008s) Are the costs different or similar across the zones? - [22:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=1358s) Does the trade wars affecting the quality of life? - [24:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=1478s) How does the labour law works in China? - [29:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=1768s) With the difficulties of living in China, Why would you still stay? - [32:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=1978s) For the upcoming entrepreneur, how do you encourage them? - [36:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs&t=2178s) Despite all the struggles, is it truly worth it? **Episode Resources:** - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LINTPagDBOHrowwI603As?si=6ANxIkS0Sjm1w26fWofmxw) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAYM_4TGFKs) - [Apple podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/singaporeans-china-dream-career-business-family-in/id1487004505?i=1000711218023) New episodes every [Monday](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/wise-and-shine) [Wednesday](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/tfc-business-show) [Thursday](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/chills-with-tfc) Share us your thoughts on this episode and let us know what do you want to hear next. You can now be our community contributor and make a [pitch ](https://thefinancialcoconut.com/contact/)to have your favourite personality be on our show. Join our [community group](https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2-JSYItZawSUnNP4YhAicLp0H2wXwx8EBmQgbzOJrjA6YRiPWXtFDSH4_aem_t1DMRY5jrSAapreaSX9ntw) and drop us your insights on this topic.   ### Stay ahead in your financial journey! 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