By SGN | 28 May 2024
As a child, Kai experienced his first taste of entrepreneurship when he witnessed his grandmother’s enterprising spirit.
He fondly recalls accompanying her to markets, where she would sell the traditional kueh (bite-sized Southeast Asian snacks) that she had made. She rose early and worked hard at her trade, even when she could have chosen to slow down.
Years later, as a Business and Accountancy student at Nanyang Technological University, Kai sought out opportunities to venture abroad.
He interned with Singaporean agribusiness group Wilmar International in Rotterdam, exploring nearby cities like London and Paris along the way. Kai also embarked on exchange programmes at Chulalongkorn University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“The experiences broadened my horizons, exposing me to diverse cultures and perspectives,” Kai shares. “I started to think about what I could pursue that would allow me to travel, and entrepreneurship was one option.”
Answering the call of entrepreneurship
As a fresh graduate, Kai joined Boston Consulting Group. He treasured the invaluable experience of working alongside exceptional leaders. Three years in, the company agreed to sponsor his MBA at Harvard Business School.
During the programme, the itch to start a business returned. “I knew I wanted to pursue entrepreneurship,” Kai says, “and it was a matter of when, not if.”
Upon completing his degree, Kai faced a pivotal decision: return to BCG in Singapore, or break the sponsorship bond and pay back the six-figure tuition fee.
He spoke with mentors at BCG like Aman Modi, Jason Moy, Jaime Ruiz-Cabrero and Sanjaya Mohottala, who were all surprisingly supportive.
“I never forgot the best advice I received,” Kai shares, “which was that I should see this as a path I will commit to for the next five to 10 years.”
And so, with their encouragement, Kai took the leap.
The birth of Reprise Health
At Harvard Business School, Kai forged many connections. But one stood out above the rest – David Yu, his soon-to-be co-founder.
“David and I hit it off through our shared cultural background and mutual interest in entrepreneurship,” Kai recalls.
Together, Kai and David brainstormed numerous ideas, exploring concepts ranging from fertility to gut health.
Ultimately, they were drawn to TCM. “We bonded over our grandmothers’ traditional remedies and our desire to modernise TCM for a broader audience,” Kai explains.
“Moreover, we found the opportunity to disrupt the TCM industry in a big way.”
With this shared vision, Reprise Health was born. “The word ‘reprise’ means the return of something,” Kai explains, “and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do: to bring the return of a highly revered ancient tradition relevant to the modern customer.”
To achieve this, they incorporated authentic whole herbs, such as ginseng and goji berries, into tasty and convenient gummies. Given the popularity of gummies among consumers, it seemed like the perfect fit.
However, turning their idea into reality wasn’t easy. Kai and David looked to industry experts for guidance.
This led them to Rose Tsai of KPC Herbs, a fifth-generation family business from Taiwan that has been sourcing from small farmers and using traditional extraction methods since 1892.
“Rose gave us great insights on how TCM has evolved over the years,” Kai shares. “She was also intrigued by our idea of putting quality herbs into gummies.”
What was initially a knowledge-seeking exercise turned into a business partnership.
“Our scientific team told us that KPC is a trusted source of herbs in the industry, and that they would be one of the best candidates to partner with,” he says. “We were committed to using only the cleanest and highest quality herbs.”
Building a business in New York City
In the beginning, Kai and David worked on Reprise remotely. They were based in Boston and the West Coast respectively.
When Kai visited a classmate in New York City in 2021, inspiration struck. “I got really excited at how everyone is just a block from each other,” Kai recalls.
Energised by the vibrancy of the city, Kai called David, who decided to join him that summer.
Originally planned as a temporary move to explore possibilities, they found themselves enchanted by the city and decided to stay indefinitely.
“Life in New York offers a dynamic and fast-paced environment that fuels creativity and innovation,” Kai says. “The city’s energy and diversity make it an exciting place to live and work.”
Beyond the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, New York has presented endless opportunities for Reprise Health to flourish.
“The city’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and diverse community foster unexpected collaborations and growth,” Kai notes.
To other Singaporeans looking to build business abroad, he advises, “Be open-minded, adaptable, and willing to learn from different cultures and perspectives. Surround yourself with a strong support network, and never be afraid to take calculated risks in pursuit of your dreams.”
“Building networks in the US involve attending events, leveraging connections, and actively seeking collaborations with like-minded individuals and organisations,” he continues.
Yet, it’s not just about business; there’s a strong sense of community too.
“Organisations like the Singapore Global Network, The Asian American Foundation, and Gold House provide invaluable support and connections,” Kai says. “These communities make me feel supported even as a foreigner.”
“At our launch event in New York, co-hosted by the Singapore Global Network, we engaged with more Singaporeans abroad,” Kai says.
“I am always grateful when I hear how supportive or excited Singaporeans are about my venture. It gives me even more motivation to not disappoint.”
Getting the word out
Reprise Health has made remarkable strides since its inception. Initially an online venture, the company soon began receiving inquiries from acupuncturists and wellness spas, sparking partnerships and expanding into wholesale distribution.
Today, their products are available in over 70 stores, spanning independent natural grocers to national players like DashMart.
Kai is also continuously refining Reprise Health’s messaging.
“One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is distilling the complex world of TCM and communicating the benefits as simply as we can,” he says.
“For instance, we have customers who confuse ginseng and ginger.”
His efforts have proven effective, as evidenced by the encouraging responses from customers.
“Consumers are often pleasantly surprised by how delicious our gummies taste during samplings at demos or markets,” Kai says.
Reprise Health’s media coverage in publications such as Forbes and W Magazine has significantly boosted brand reputation and its attractiveness to retailers.
“They’re as excited to give us a chance knowing this is a unique product with an authentic cultural and ingredient story,” Kai reveals.
Staying connected to Singapore
Being a founder has entailed sacrifices. To launch Reprise, Kai had to dip into his savings and take a massive pay cut.
Moreover, while Kai cherishes his time in New York, he misses his family and friends back home in Singapore.
“It’s hard that I don’t get to see my parents as often as I’d like,” Kai admits. “I try to call them and visit Singapore a few times a year, but I know that’s barely sufficient.”
Nevertheless, Kai plans to spend more time back home as Reprise Health becomes more established.
Kai is also open to the possibility of expanding to Singapore. “I’ve received numerous DMs from Singapore consumers asking if we ship there,” Kai says.
“I’m personally excited to bring this brand back home one day as we continue to grow and evolve.”
Meet Kai
Kai is the co-founder of Reprise Health, a brand dedicated to revitalising traditional Eastern herbs by infusing them into delicious and convenient gummies.
Connect with him here.
