SINGAPORE – The story behind Mian Zhuang, a modest ban mian stall at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, is one of ambition, setbacks, and hard-earned lessons. In 2019, Jonathan Chng, 29, and Vanessa Ong, 26, left their secure corporate roles — Jonathan as a currency broker and Vanessa in logistics — to pursue their dream of running a business together.

However, their venture faced unforeseen challenges. Just after launching Mian Zhuang, the pandemic hit, impacting both their stall and their relationship. In the end, they chose to end their engagement, part ways, and close the stall. November 27 marked the last day of operation.

Despite the emotional weight of the decision, Jonathan is choosing to focus on the positives. “If you don’t try, you wouldn’t know,” he said in an interview with AsiaOne. Though the journey cost him around $62,000, Jonathan sees it as a valuable, albeit expensive, experience.

The lessons learned from Mian Zhuang went beyond the financial. Jonathan found that starting a business with a partner was far from easy. When asked if the business contributed to their breakup, he didn’t hesitate. “It was a huge factor,” he admitted.

He elaborated on the difficulties of managing both a personal and business relationship: “Disagreements and abrasions are inevitable when you’re working so closely together. It happens on a daily basis.” He also noted the financial strain that often causes tensions: “When both people rely on the same income and the financial freedom they hoped for doesn’t materialise, it can be tough.”

Jonathan’s Advice to Couples Considering Business Ventures

Having faced the emotional and financial ups and downs of running a joint business, Jonathan now shares some advice for other couples contemplating starting a business together. His first piece of wisdom: “One has to give in to the other, otherwise you’ll be fighting every day.”

He stresses the importance of compromise and communication. Couples should address sensitive issues such as financial contributions, capital, and personal risk early on. “You need to be transparent about how much each person is willing to lose,” he advises. Moreover, couples should set clear goals and timelines. If the business fails within the agreed period, they should both be prepared to walk away before incurring further losses.

By discussing financial risks and goals upfront, Jonathan suggests, couples can avoid future conflicts. “If the numbers are clear from the start, you can make a quick exit without disagreements,” he explained. He also encourages couples to discuss difficult topics early on, even though many avoid doing so to avoid “being a wet blanket.” “But it’s something you can’t avoid,” he said. “It’s better to address it early, so you’re not fighting later.”

Plans for the Future

Though Mian Zhuang’s physical store has closed, Jonathan hasn’t given up on the brand. For now, he plans to continue selling some of the stall’s products, including their signature chilli sauce. He also hopes to become a supplier of handmade noodles to other ban mian stalls across Singapore.

Looking ahead, Jonathan sees a potential return for Mian Zhuang with a new physical store once the COVID-19 situation stabilises. However, he intends to run the business differently, based on the lessons he has learned. “The next time, I need a healthier profit margin, so prices will likely go up, but I won’t compromise on quality,” he said.

Despite the challenge of running a business solo, Jonathan is adamant that he wants to take the reins himself. “Experience has taught me that disagreements are inevitable, so I prefer to make decisions on my own to avoid further conflict,” he said.