Two heritage businesses in Chinatown talk about succession for the love for the craft

Both stalwart names in Singapore's history, Chop Wah On and On Cheong have been recently recognised as Made With Passion brands - bearing testament to the century of legacy and hard work, along with their famed products many Singaporeans know and love today.

For most Singaporeans, the scent of medicated oils brings about nostalgia of growing up with their parents or grandparents. But many may not know that the production of Chinese medicated oils is one of the oldest trades in Singapore, with it being traced back to the early 20th century. In fact, their formulations are derived from practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 

“Chop Wah On was founded by my grandfather [Tong Chee Leong]. He was a herbalist who came from China more than 100 years ago,” chimes Mr Tong Kok Kong, a third-generation owner of the family-run brand. With Singapore’s entrepôt trade in the 1900s, the late Tong Chee Leong had access to herbs and essential oils from all over Asia. The entrepreneur then started producing medicated oil to sell to the people around, mainly migrant workers from China. From then on, he set up shop and was registered in 1916. 

Like medicated oils and many other heritage businesses in Singapore, goldsmithing was one of the earliest trades in Singapore and On Cheong’s story began when Ho Yew Ping left his home in Guangdong in 1925 to be an apprentice for a goldsmith in Penang and Perak before he eventually settled in Singapore with his newly wedded wife. After several years of apprenticeship, Ho Yew Ping was finally ready to start his own goldsmith business and On Cheong – meaning peace and prosperity – was born. 

In the past, South Bridge Road and North Bridge Road were the hotspots for goldsmiths to set up shop, and On Cheong was fortunate enough to occupy a space on both popular streets. Today the flagship On Cheong outlet sits on South Bridge Road in Chinatown and continues to serve loyal customers over the years and also from the new generation.

Today, Chop Wah On is Singapore’s oldest medicated oil company run by Tong Kok Kong and three of his siblings. The business was passed down from their father, who was English-educated and thus helped to improve some of the products and packaging, further building the brand’s following in Singapore. Mr Tong and his siblings now hold the baton, continuing to bring the centuries-old knowledge of the powers of TCM and medicated oils to the Singapore market. 

When asked about the recipe and processes, Mr Tong’s lips are sealed. The secret formulation has been passed down the family for a hundred years, only known to immediate family members. There are concerns, however, about passing on the business to the younger generation – especially since most of his and his siblings’ children have full-time jobs as lawyers, accountants and more. But he remains hopeful, hoping that they will become strengths to the company when they eventually return to the business. “I just hope we are still around when they decide to take over,” he laments.

Like the Chop Wah On story, heritage jewellery brand On Cheong was also inherited by Mr Ho Nai Chuen whose father founded the company. Initially, he was reluctant to take over the business but it was only when his mother passed away days after he came back from completing his postgraduate studies that he felt compelled to fully commit to helming On Cheong. 

His mother remains to be an inspiration to how he runs On Cheong these days. “What she lacked in education, she made up with her people skills and was very good with our customers. Today at On Cheong, we’re known to have good rapport with regular customers and my mother had a big role in inspiring this new tradition when it came to customer service,” he says. He adds that over the years, his mother’s customers have continued to return to the store for their jewellery needs and have brought their own children – who now also bring their own children. He admits that having served generations of customers makes him feel happy and accomplished. 

Still, succession is a key concern for On Cheong. Like him and his siblings before, his children (and his siblings’ children) have all chosen different career paths that don’t necessarily involve running a family – and jewellery – business. “I think the priority now is to establish a direction that is strong and find someone who is capable and has the spirit to bring the brand into the future while being respectful to its heritage – I think that’s more important than to focus on building a family empire.”

For Tong Kok Kong, Chop Wah On has always been a part of his life ever since he was born. Growing up, he fondly remembers staying in the shophouse right above the shop on 67 Pagoda Street. “There’s no such thing as taking over, we just grew with it,” Mr Tong shares. “It’s second nature. Straight away, we know what oils will help with the ailments.” 

Similarly, growing up observing his parents at work, Mr Ho never felt the need to take over the business in the beginning. When Mr Ho first started taking up workshops and basic courses to improve his professional knowledge in the industry, it genuinely reignited his passion for jewellery. “I started with courses on diamonds and gemstones and that led to night classes on jewellery design and drawing. I also began being at the frontline of the business more and meeting customers and serving them. That’s when I realised that being on the ground made my appreciation for jewellery grow more. I didn’t learn this from my degrees and sitting at my desk,” he quips.  

And his renewed interest in gems have also infiltrated into his hobbies. Watching Mr Ho wax lyrical about his jade miniature animal collection – which he proudly collected over the years and brought out just for us – there’s no doubt that this is a man who is not only knowledgeable about gems but also fully committed to everything about it. 

Passion permeates every aspect of Chop Wah On’s business. In the past, the medicated oils were produced in a room in the Pagoda Street shophouse by hand. Today, Chop Wah On’s products are manufactured in its own factory in Eunos, with Mr Tong and his brothers getting involved directly in production. 

And while the packing process has been automated, Mr Tong still believes in producing the medicated oils by hand. He tells us: “Automation is good for packing. But I resonate with the Made With Passion motto, and believe in bringing your heart and soul to your products. When it comes from the heart, the outcome is much better.”

Mr Tong truly also believes that an initiative like Made With Passion is key to supporting local brands. “It’s important because there’s a recognition for local brands. Aspiring ambassadors should learn from the older brands who already have these awards – so they can improve on it and do better.” 

In Singapore, Chop Wah On has managed to retain a loyal customer base – with some even bringing their children and grandchildren to the shop. After all, the brand has managed to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. The brand is so recognised that tourists are bringing them home as gifts, Mr Tong shares. 

Besides recognition, an initiative like Made With Passion can also be inspiring for other local entrepreneurs trying to build their brand or company. Mr Ho says that having a platform like Made With Passion will help other local businesses find the inspiration and motivation they need to grow their own company, improve themselves and “create their uniqueness to stand out”. “To truly be recognised locally and on the global stage, we need a strong ecosystem where we can help and learn from each other,” he adds.

Even with a hundred years behind them, Mr Tong and his siblings aren’t staying complacent. “We are lucky that we have 100 years behind us – so of course, we know that the road ahead we will face a lot of challenges. But we look at other people who are very much more successful than us. This is a road for us to follow, to adapt, or to improve,” he says. After conquering the Singapore and Hong Kong markets, Mr Tong has his sights on overseas expansion, after all. 

The brand’s most popular product in the Singapore market is the Eucalypthol Balm ($5), which provides external relief from all painful conditions ranging from itching to headaches and even sprains. It’s also a cooling balm that can be used for muscle pain, especially after a long day sitting at one’s desk. During our interview, it was recommended for a Singaporean family who came in to ask for relief for mosquito bites. Another star product is the Wah On Lao Feng Huo Luo Oil ($18), which is a versatile oil for relieving aches and pains. 

Mr Tong adds: “We are covering both the old tastes and the new. We are not a normal medical shop. We develop along with the market while also retaining what has been sold.” 

While Chop Wah On has specific balms and oils to show as their signature products, with Mr Ho at On Cheong, it is the bespoke services that are most sought after at his shop. He says, “The way I see it: people buy jewellery from a place of joy, to spark joy. And as long as there’s happiness, then jewellery will always be relevant.” 

When he was learning jewellery design, he realised that he wanted the pieces he makes to have a deeper meaning and started to emphasise the importance of storytelling. Keeping true to the company motto of “crafted by time, cherished for generations”, each piece is designed to reflect not only the customer’s requests, choice of gems and personality, but also the four On Cheong icons: prosperity, diamond, happiness and longevity. 

Interested in these Made With Passion brands? Find out more or shop the items from KrisShop, Shopee and the Visit Singapore website.