One weekend, five viral brands: My boss challenged me to find TikTok-famous S’porean bizs

Vulcan Post has covered multiple businesses since its inception in August 2013, with some catching our attention due to their online virality. Our managing director, Jacky, challenged us to collate a list of interesting businesses that have gone viral...

One weekend, five viral brands: My boss challenged me to find TikTok-famous S’porean bizs

Vulcan Post has covered multiple businesses since its inception in August 2013, with some catching our attention due to their online virality.

Our managing director, Jacky, challenged us to collate a list of interesting businesses that have gone viral on TikTok recently, which I graciously accepted and put my doomscrolling habit to good use over the weekend (much to the detriment of my eyes, according to my optometrist).

Here are five businesses that have gone viral as of late, and some little-known tidbits that I’ve found:

Disclaimer: The following article is not sponsored and is based on the author’s TikTok algorithm from May 24 to 25.

1. Creamie Sippies

creamie sippies Image Credit: Vivian A. on Google, Creamie Sippies

With the whole city-state becoming increasingly obsessed with matcha, I had been eyeing Creamie Sippies for a while, especially their matcha banana pudding lattes, which have gone viral.

Located just beside ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, the business is known for their speciality matcha and coffee drinks, as well as classic bakes—but upon scouring their website, I found out that they also sell matcha powders and coffee beans sourced from Japan and Italy, respectively.

According to their social media pages, Creamie Sippies will soon be opening a second outlet on Keong Saik Road, which will feature a dine-in space and even a matcha mill where customers can obtain fresh matcha powder, directly from the leaves.

It is expected to open in June 2025.

2. Ministry of Spud

Every now and then, there will always be a pasar malam popping up in a Singapore neighbourhood—and when it does, you’ll find plenty of businesses attempting to entice potential customers to visit on their social media pages.

Some of them have gone viral, and one such business had landed on my ‘For You’ page (FYP).

‘Spuds’ is the nickname commonly used for potatoes, and the Ministry of Spuds sell—you guessed it, potatoes! Well, potato bowls to be more specific, but you get the gist.

Having participated in the annual Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar in March, the business gained initial fame for their 10-second challenge.

Ministry of Spud appears to be run by a husband-and-wife duo, Khail and Nana, who are also the creators behind D’ventures SG, a company that tells Islamic stories through virtual reality, as well as clothing and shoe brand Tomaz SG, which was originally founded in Malaysia.

They seem to be seasoned entrepreneurs, so who knows, maybe we’ll get to interview them next?

3. WhoWantSayNow

whowantsaynowImage Credit: Crystal Woon via Linkedin, Whowantsaynow

Gold or silver? For me, silver tends to match my cool-toned skin better, as I’ve learnt from my past colour analysis session, so seeing silver jewellery from WhoWantSayNow on my FYP was not unusual to me.

WhoWantSayNow is a Singaporean silversmith started by Crystal Woon in 2021, specialising in hand-sculpted 999 silver (a.k.a the purest form of silver) jewellery.

Aside from selling their accessories online, the brand has also participated in pop-up events and vintage booths, such as Ressurack.

In an interview with The Straits Times, Crystal shared that the inspiration for her designs came from her love for K-pop and fashion, which she developed during her part-time retail work as a student.

She also claimed that the brand brings in four digits each month, though she doesn’t plan to put pressure on herself to set sales targets just yet.

4. Elixir Esports

elixir esports Image Credit: Elixir Esports

I don’t usually consider myself a gamer, as I only play one mobile game sporadically. That said, I must have consumed enough content for the algorithm to push a random PC cafe on my FYP.

It turns out that this business has been around for 10 years. First founded in 2015 as Wanyoo Esports, the PC cafe has garnered a loyal following even after its rebranding to Elixir Esports in 2024.

According to its website, the business has attracted over 80,000 members and continues to grow at a rate of approximately 100 new members per day. Elixir Esports currently has three outlets in Singapore, at Holland Village, Lavander and Beauty World, and will open its fourth cafe at Dhoby Ghaut soon.

Its website also states that the business plans to open an “Esports Hotel concept” in 2025, although details have yet to be revealed on their platforms.

5. Weare

I’ve been saving videos on thrift shops in Singapore and overseas, so it’s no surprise that Weare has been popping up on my feed from time to time.

Pronounced as ‘wear,’ Weare was founded by brothers Ian and Jachin Thio and their friend, Ashley, in 2022. The thrift store gained online recognition through its warehouse sales and their marketing campaign, where e business claimed to give away free Taylor Swift concert tickets.

@weare.sg

searching through thousands of clothes for you? ?? sign up now because you literally can’t miss this ?: 24 Sin Ming Ln, 06-101 Mid view City, Singapore 573970 ? 31 May – 1 June, 7-8 June ?: 12-8pm ?? RSVP before 28 May to get exclusive discounts. LINK IN BIO #fyp #explore #thrift

? original sound – WEARE. – WEARE.

The brand currently has a physical store at Queensway Shopping Centre and also participates in vintage market fairs, such as Ressurack.

-//-

If you’re anything like me, who doomscrolls out of boredom and is desperate for a break from the screen, why not check these businesses out, or perhaps even pay them a visit over the weekend?

Here are the links to their social media pages:

Creamie Sippies: Website, Instagram, TikTok Ministry of Spud: Instagram, TikTok WhoWantSayNow: Website, Instagram, TikTok Elixir Esports: Website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok Weare: Instagram, TikTok Read more stories we’ve written about Singaporean startups here.

Featured Image Credit: Creamie Sippies/WhoWantSayNow/Ian Thio via Google