From $10,000 a month to a food stall: Why one man chose noodles over tech

Alvin Tan used to work for a big tech company. But when the company started firing people, he was not surprised.

He said people in tech often joke that they might code themselves out of a job. He could have been one of the people who lost their job.

Many people in Singapore are worried about losing their jobs because of artificial intelligence. A survey found that three in 10 young workers are concerned about this.

Instead of waiting to see what would happen, Tan decided to leave his job when his contract ended.

Now, he earns up to $4,000 a month from selling a type of noodle dish called Hokkien mee.

Tan said he would rather be in control of his own business than wait for someone to fire him. He likes being able to make his own decisions.

Tan's story is featured on a TV show that looks at the pros and cons of being self-employed versus working for someone else.

You can watch Tan's story online.

Tan used a technique from his tech background to help him start his noodle business. He started small and tested his product.

At first, Tan cooked his noodles at home and gave them away for free to see what people thought.

Then, he started selling his noodles at food events. After that, he opened his own stall in Geylang.

Getting people to like his noodles was just the first challenge. When he started charging for his food, he realized he had made a mistake.

Tan said he just tried to make the best noodles he could. He didn't think about the cost.

Hokkien mee usually costs $5 to $6. Tan had to balance the cost of ingredients with what customers were willing to pay.

Now, Tan's noodles cost $6 or $8 a plate. His stall makes up to $19,000 a month, but he has to pay for ingredients and other expenses.

It took time for Tan's business to become profitable. He had to sell a lot of noodles before he could earn a good income.

There were days when Tan had to throw away a lot of ingredients. But as more customers came to his stall, business improved.

Tan said that when you start a business, you should protect yourself. Don't spend all your money at once.

Tan's stall is profitable now, but it's still a challenge to keep it that way.

The cost of ingredients and other expenses is going up. Tan is trying not to pass these costs on to his customers.

Tan said that if his take-home pay gets too low, he might have to raise his prices.

Tan is thinking about hiring more help. But for now, it's not something he can afford.

If Tan sells more noodles, he might be able to hire a full-time worker.

Tan knows that he can't do everything alone. He hopes to find someone to help him with his business.

Tan knows that if he wants his business to grow, he might have to make some sacrifices.

Tan's life has changed a lot since he left his job. He doesn't get a steady paycheck anymore.

Tan is not putting money into his retirement fund right now. But he plans to start doing so soon.

Tan's circumstances have made it possible for him to start his own business. He doesn't need a lot of money to live.

Tan is not planning to have children. This gives him more freedom to pursue his business.

Running a business has taken a toll on Tan's personal life. He has less time for his family and friends.

Tan doesn't think of the sacrifices he's made as a bad thing. He sees them as a necessary part of starting a business.

Tan has been out of the tech industry for a year now. He earns less and works more, but he has more control over his life.

Tan likes being his own boss. He can make changes to his business without having to deal with a lot of bureaucracy.

When Tan's business is successful, it's a great feeling.

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