Most teens fight for extra screen time. This one fights supply-chain delays. Welcome to the world of 13-year-old Eleora Liang — the tiny boss with a not-so-tiny income.
While other kids her age are mugging for exams or chilling at McDonald’s after school, Eleora is busy updating her website, checking stock, packing orders, and basically running her own mini-empire. And yes, all this started because of homework. Wild, right?
A Side Hustle Born From “Mum, I Don’t Want To Do Homework”
Eleora runs A Little Ripple, an online store selling pickleball paddles — all from her family’s cosy home in Ipoh, where she’s currently homeschooled.
And honestly? She knows how to work the system.
Sometimes, when homework gets a bit sian, she just tells her mum, “I need to update the website.”
And somehow, magically, her mum says okay. Power move.
From Singapore To Chiang Mai To Ipoh — And Somehow, Pickleball
Back in 2021, her parents decided to ditch the Singapore rat race and go vagabond mode. They packed up, travelled around Thailand and Malaysia, lived two years in Chiang Mai, and eventually settled in Ipoh. Future destination? Still in the “we’ll see lah” stage.
With homeschooling giving Eleora more free time, she started exploring her interests — mainly violin and, unexpectedly, entrepreneurship.
Her mum, previously a math tutor (so you can imagine the discipline levels), encouraged her to start a small project in 2022 to learn real-life skills.
First try? Selling stationery.
Outcome? Complete flop. No spark, no vibe, no takers.
So they pivoted. And suddenly pickleball — the sport everyone and their auntie is now playing — was blowing up across Asia. Perfect timing.
Borrow $2K From Parents First, Earn $2K Per Month Later
With a S$2K loan from mum and dad, Eleora started sourcing pickleball paddles from China and Vietnam. By January 2024, she was selling through her website and Carousell at prices between S$22 and S$55.
Now? She moves around 150 paddles every month.
Sorry ah, that’s not a hobby anymore — that’s a whole business.
She puts in around four hours a day managing everything. Her parents help with the finance and supplier side, while her 17-year-old sister handles social media because no business can survive without a teenager who speaks fluent Insta.
Her biggest flex? She doesn’t get pocket money anymore. Because she doesn’t need it. The girl literally pays herself.
The Teen Who Bought A S$5K Violin — But Still Needs Mum To Approve
Her side hustle brings her around S$2K monthly. But before you imagine her splurging at Sephora or buying gadgets simply because “can”, her mum — also known as the family CFO — still controls big purchases.
Example? Her S$5K violin.
She could afford it, but she still had to get clearance from the CFO. Checks and balances, man. Even billionaires also have boards.
A Teen With Big Dreams (And Not A Single Nine-to-Five In Sight)
All this business hustle is helping Eleora work toward her dream: becoming a professional violinist one day — without ever needing to sit in an office, drink bad pantry coffee, or get stuck in Excel hell.
And if the pickleball hype dies down?
No stress.
No crying.
No midlife crisis at 16.
She simply says, “I’ll start another business.”
Honestly, some adults don’t even have this level of emotional stability.
She knows she’s young, she knows she has time, and she’s totally fine with trying again if things go south. The confidence is insane — in a good way.
Living The Teen Entrepreneur Lifestyle
Right now, she’s living the dream most teenagers can only imagine:
Her own money.
Her own business.
And the freedom to say, “Sorry, homework cannot… got customer enquiry.”
Her life motto?
“Age doesn’t define what you can achieve. Just start small and dream big.”
Honestly? Same, girl. Same.
This kid is the real deal — not the typical “my parents manage everything while I pose for photos” type. She actually does the work. And while a lot of adults complain about wanting to escape the rat race, her parents actually did it and gave their kids space to grow outside the usual academic hamster wheel.
What I love most?
She’s learning about money, responsibility, failure, and bouncing back — way earlier than most of us. And her mindset about trying again if she fails? That’s the kind of energy every adult needs.
Also, seeing a Singaporean kid confidently building a niche business from Ipoh while juggling homeschooling and violin… honestly very shiok to watch. It shows that entrepreneurship isn’t some faraway, scary thing. Sometimes, it’s just a small idea, a $2K loan, and a lot of guts.
