Recently thrust into the spotlight especially due to the rise of demand in mosquito repellents in the fight against Zika, Theodore Khng’s claim to mainstream success is a homemade repellant that “smells like chocolate mint”.
The repellent is also non-sticky and non-oily, a common annoyance that comes with many off-the-shelf alternatives.
Under the brand Theo10, Khng initially started off four years ago creating homemade balms Theo10 Skin and Theo10 Heat, which treats skin ailments (like burns, eczema, bites) and aches (muscle aches, even headaches) respectively.
The latest product, a repellent simply named Theo10 Repels, was created just nine months ago, after 68 failed attempts.
Definitely a timely creation, given the spike in demand of repellents and anti-mosquito products.
With all these successful balms under his belt, you’d think he has a degree, or professional training in chemistry and/or skincare.
Not exactly – he is actually a trained accountant, and the gig started simply out of boredom in London while waiting for his professional accountancy qualification test results.
What he was clear about, though, was that he wanted to create products with all-natural ingredients, and his pursuit brought him all over the world to place like India and the US.
Soon, government agency SPRING Singapore took notice, and gave him the Ace Startup Grant worth $50,000, which he then used to start up Theo10.
In a feature from Singapore Tatler, Theo10 Skin and Heat sales had grown from 4,000 in 2013 to over 14,000 in 2014, with reach extending to countries like Thailand, China, Australia and Canada.
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