Design student Dylan Chia’s entrepreneurship journey started with his love for doodling.
“Growing up, I filled any blank space I could find on my homework with little sketches, often of the things I saw around me, or short comics,” he said.
The 21-year-old first started a comic account online where he shared four-panel comics about a hamster named Boba.
“I was a student with limited cash flow, and stickers were the most affordable type of merchandise I could create. Over time, I expanded my range of sticker designs, which eventually grew into a full-fledged sticker business,” he said.
Mr Chia is now the owner of crafts business DCHTOONS, through which he sells merchandise based on his artwork. His product line has expanded to include keychains.
Beyond merchandise, he also collaborates with brands to bring illustrations into campaigns and products, bridging the gap between corporate communication and creative storytelling.
Mr Chia, who is pursuing a diploma in design for communication and experiences at the Lasalle College of the Arts, lives with his parents and does not own a car.
Q: Do you invest in anything?
I do not.
Q: What’s your biggest or most valuable asset right now?
My business.
Q: What’s your approach to growing your money?
My money grows from the profits I make through DCHTOONS. The process starts with me creating artwork, which is based on my day-to-day experiences.
My artwork is then monetised through merchandising and collaborations with brands. My creations are sold on my website (dchtoons.com) and through retail distribution by consignment. The profit is reinvested in the business, covering mainly rental fees and restocks.
Q. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy learning about content creation and business strategy, which helps me grow both creatively and professionally. To unwind, I like to watch shows on Netflix.
Q: What was your first exposure to investing and your first investment?
My first exposure to investing was through observing how my parents managed money and saved for long-term goals. My first and main investment has been in my business, DCHTOONS. From the very beginning, I treated it like an investment, putting time, money and energy into building something that could grow. The experience taught me lessons about risk and patience.
Q: What has been your biggest financial mistake?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had a major financial mistake, but early on, I learnt the value of being deliberate with spending. For example, doing smaller restocks first before committing to holding larger inventory when I see the demand. It taught me the importance of planning and making informed decisions.
Q: What has been your best financial decision?
My best financial decision was investing in a storage unit that I converted into a studio, after previously operating out of my bedroom. I moved into the rented unit in January 2025, and since registering my business in mid-2024, I’ve reinvested about $60,000 into DCHTOONS, which has more than doubled in revenue.
This shift was prompted by my first viral video in July 2024, which suddenly boosted orders from under 50 a month to over 500 in that month and 700 in the following month, making it clear I needed a dedicated space.
The studio gave me room for packing and holding more inventory, which allowed me to take on wholesale orders, enter retail stores, grow collaborations and manage operations efficiently. The biggest lesson I learnt is that by focusing on improving my skill sets and building the business itself, rather than chasing revenue directly, the revenue naturally follows.
Q: What were your growing-up years like? How did they shape your outlook on money?
Growing up, I was taught to be mindful of how I spend and to develop good saving habits. For example, if I received $5 in pocket money, I would set aside $1. My parents also encouraged me to work for my money by rewarding me for helping out with household chores. These experiences taught me discipline and the importance of managing resources wisely, lessons that still guide how I approach personal finance and investing today.
Q: What was your childhood dream?
My childhood dream was to be a taekwondo Olympian. I started learning taekwondo at age seven and represented Singapore in competitions from 16 to 20, including two South-east Asia Games. While I didn’t achieve this dream, the journey taught me discipline, grit and perseverance, lessons that still guide me today.
Q: What was your first job?
My first job would have been at age 15; it was a stint at an event booth for Highway, a canned food brand under Hosen Group. I took on the role of sales promoter, distributing samples and engaging with customers.
Q: What was your most memorable encounter with money?
My most memorable encounter with money was when I paid for the storage unit’s annual lease upfront, which dropped my bank account from five digits to just $2,000. It was a nerve-racking but pivotal moment that showed me the real risks and responsibilities of running a business.
Q. When did you first realise money is important?
I first realised money was important when I noticed that, unlike when I was taking an allowance from my parents, having my own money gave me the freedom to decide how to utilise it.
Taking an allowance from my parents required me to explain the justifications for my spending. Back in secondary school, I remember having to ask my parents for extra pocket money so that I could go out for meals with friends after school. This changed when I turned 18, which was when I started making my own money and became less financially reliant on my parents.
Q: What was your most frivolous purchase?
I haven’t made any truly frivolous or guilty pleasure purchases. My biggest personal purchase would be my MacBook Pro, which I use daily for school and work.
Q. What would your perfect day look like?
A perfect day for me would be spending time drawing in a cafe, enjoying a nice cup of coffee.
Money MattersQ. What would you do if you suddenly had a windfall of $1 million?
If I suddenly had a windfall of $1 million, I would invest in growing DCHTOONS by expanding operations and exploring new creative projects, while also supporting those close to me and setting aside some savings.
Q. If you suddenly only had $100 to your name, what would you do with it?
I would first evaluate the decisions that led me here and learn from any mistakes. I’d use my skills in content creation, graphic design and illustration to offer services in exchange for money, cover my basic living necessities, and then plan how to grow my funds, perhaps even starting another business.
Rosalind Ang for The Straits Times