Amy Ngo and the Revival of Brick‑and‑Mortar
While most brands are turning their back on physical shops, Amy Ngo is busy building a 65‑store empire on the island. Big‑ticket plans? She’s got franchises on the side and her own boots‑on‑the‑ground strategy.
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From Salon Chair to Startup Genius
She started out as a hairstylist—basically cutting hair in a casual, no‑frills way—before turning into the co‑founder of Organic Hair Regrowth Solutions (OHRS). Her love for hair was born early: she’d tag along with her mom to salons and request “real” (and tiny) tasks from the owners.
When she told her parents she wanted to be a hairdresser, her dad said no. But Amy proactively studied the trade in secrecy. After a couple of years in the industry, a friend suggested they start their own salon, and she jumped in like it was a triple‑espresso shot—no hesitation.
From 1 to 9 in 14 Years
OHRS was rolled out in 2007, and 14 years later it runs nine outlets in Singapore. The COVID springboard forced a shutdown, but thanks to a rainy‑day savings buffer and government relief, the business stayed afloat even with zero revenue for a stretch.
Taking the Hair Biz In‑House
She didn’t stop there: she bought a factory to churning out her own line of home hair care products. “I see the professional, organic scalp treatment packaged in home‑care kits as a monster‑market.” She keeps it cost‑effective and delivers results in the comfort of your own home.
Hair Loss Hits the Young
Nowadays, younger folks are losing hair at an alarming rate. A 2018 study of 4,000 Beijing university students revealed that 60% were dealing with hair loss. Professionals notice more young clients with thinning and receding hairlines, and Amy sees the same trend here in Singapore.
“We’re seeing more clients under 30 with scalp issues—our youngest client? 14 years old!” she says.
Meet the Future of Hair Care
Ngo’s new outlets are tech‑savvy: smart mirrors let customers scan their scalp conditions and track progress with every visit. “Harmonizing hair care with tech is tricky, but we think we nailed it.” Her must‑be, she claims, is customer joy: our entire mission is to make them as happy as possible.
“I’m ready to help,” she says, and the whole city looks forward to a world where a barber’s chair feels like a spa.
