The Story of How Shalehan built Shayu Design Studio

A personal problem that changed everything

Most founders start with an opportunity. Shalehan started with a bad experience. Four years ago, while renovating his own home, he found himself on the wrong side of the renovation industry. Hidden costs, unclear processes, and a lack of transparency turned what should have been an exciting milestone into a stressful situation. It wasn’t just about money. It was about trust being broken. Instead of accepting it as “how the industry works,” he made a decision. If no one was going to fix it, he would.

Starting with just $600 and a big responsibility

At 38, Shalehan took a leap most wouldn’t.With only $600 from his wife, he started Shayu Design Studio. No large capital. No safety net. Just belief in doing things differently.But behind that decision was something heavier.He had six children to support.There was no room for failure. Every client mattered. Every project had to work.

Building a brand around trust

From day one, Shayu wasn’t built to chase quick profits. It was built on honesty, transparency, and education. While many focused on closing deals, Shalehan focused on helping clients understand the process. He took time to explain costs, materials, and decisions so homeowners felt confident, not confused. That approach became his edge. To reinforce trust, he introduced something uncommon in the industry. A free one year home insurance after renovation. It wasn’t just a selling point. It was accountability.

Growing through consistency, not hype

The early days weren’t easy. Low brand awareness. Constant rejection. Strong competition. Difficult clients. Building from zero meant proving himself again and again. But consistency paid off. Shayu Design Studio went on to serve over 200 clients.

In the first year alone, they handled 20 to 30 projects.

They earned three awards and achieved between $1.1 million to $1.3 million in sales.No shortcuts. Just trust built over time.

A bigger vision beyond renovation

Today, Shalehan isn’t just running projects.He’s building a name.The goal is clear. To become a top of mind Malay interior design firm in Singapore. One known not just for design, but for strong after sales service, fair pricing, and genuine transparency.But beyond business, there’s something deeper.Legacy.Everything he is building is for his children. To show them what resilience looks like. To prove that difficult beginnings don’t define the ending.

The mindset behind it all

For Shalehan, success isn’t complicated.Failure leads to success.

Give 101 percent in everything.

Stay authentic, no matter how big you grow.Because at the end of the day, anyone can renovate a house.But not everyone can build trust.