At 28, He Chose to Take Over His Family’s Joss Paper Business. Here’s Why
By Seedly • February 16, 2020
The joss paper industry is on the cusp of change — and standing at its fore is 32-year-old Alex Teo, a third-gen owner of Ban Kah Hiang Trading.
Photo by Rebecca LiewWith a history spanning over half a century, it’s one of Singapore’s oldest surviving joss paper merchants — and one of even fewer local businesses that supplies “bao ga liao. Everything also have,” Alex laughs.
While most suppliers in the industry bring in solely joss paper or joss sticks, Ban Kah Hiang offers those and more: incense coils, religious oil and paper effigies, plus candles and prayer offerings, including cookies and tea leaves.
The family business operates from a Bukit Merah-based store — a retail shop and office in one — that brims with colourful prayer paraphernalia, whether ornate dragon candles or giant packages packed with clothes, shoes and hell notes.
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