Long before Hissori existed, I was just a teenager with a dream of opening a little café. A cosy place where people could enjoy good drinks, comforting desserts, catch up with friends, spend time with family, or simply have a quiet moment to themselves. Life, however, had other plans. Like many people, I chose the practical route. I built my career in technology. ​ At a very young age of 22, I became a mother and started my first journey into tech by launching a website called "Vintage Affairs", which I started with my sister at a time when online shopping in Singapore was still in its infancy. Our little business was featured in Berita Harian, and we were later approached by the National Archives of Singapore to preserve our website as one of Singapore's pioneering online stores. Sadly, not long after, I had to make the difficult decision to close the business and pursue full-time employment.​ ​ Eight years after my first son was born (yes, quite the age gap!), my second son arrived and I was lucky enough to care for him for two years before returning to the workforce where I joined one of Singapore's largest premium mother-and-baby retailers, where I launch the company's very first e-commerce platform. After more than four wonderful years there, I entered the world of financial technology - a decision that would become one of the biggest turning points in my career. ​ While my career was growing, life also tested me in many ways. I went through a divorce and raised my two boys as a single mother. But with my boys as my greatest motivation, I worked even harder than ever. Over the years, I had the privilege of contributing to projects that made a real impact. I was part of the team that helped take a company public, led large-scale digital transformation projects, and eventually oversaw a national platform serving the Muslim community in Singapore, processing millions in transaction value. My work also brought me across the region, where I pitched to investors, worked with government agencies, and even had the opportunity to meet members of royal families. ​​ Throughout my work life, my 2 boys grew up watching me work, attending meetings, travelling with me for business, and sometimes even sitting quietly through my meetings and even investor presentations. Looking back, they were probably my first interns... although they would say they were unpaid personal assistants! Despite everything, that teenage dream of opening a café never disappeared. As my boys grew older, they became genuinely excited about building something together as a family. So, in December 2025, we finally took the leap. Hissori (ひっそり) was born. ​ We started quietly from our home kitchen, listing our drinks and desserts on Grab with no big expectations. We honestly thought we might receive no orders at all. Instead, the response completely surprised us. A few orders became many, and before long, Grab riders were visiting our home so frequently that our neighbours became understandably unhappy. Eventually, we were asked to stop operating from our unit. It was heartbreaking. But giving up was never an option. ​ We quickly found a new home for Hissori in Yishun so our regular customers could continue enjoying their favourite matcha, desserts, and coffees. Thanks to the incredible support of both familiar faces and first-time customers, we were able to start again. Although Hissori is still young, this journey has taught us more than we ever imagined. Building this business with my sons has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Their creativity, problem-solving skills, fresh ideas, and Gen Z perspective have shaped Hissori in ways I never could have done alone. Every menu item, every customer experience, every little detail is something we constantly work on together. At its heart, Hissori has never just been about coffee, matcha, or desserts. It's about creating small moments of comfort. ​ Whether you're taking a break from work, celebrating with friends, studying late into the night, or simply treating yourself after a long day, we hope every order brings a little bit of warmth, calm, and happiness. Thank you for being part of our story. We can't wait to continue this journey with you.