Let's try building a business with your kids.

When I was a schoolboy in the early 2000s, I dreamed of running a tiny provision shop. Not just any shop—but the kind nestled beneath HDB blocks, lined with toys, snacks, and stickers that lit up a kid’s whole day. Those shops weren’t just part of the neighborhood—they were the neighborhood. Every walk home meant a chance to peek in, trade pocket change for joy, and feel seen by the familiar Indian uncle behind the counter.

Looking back now, I wonder: did those shopkeepers know the impact they were making? Maybe they, too, remembered the magic of childhood and wanted to give it back in the simplest, humblest way—one potato chip and pencil case at a time.

But times have changed. Kids today don’t roam the walkways like we did. They’re drawn to screens instead of sun, clicks instead of coin trays. And yet… the heart of my old dream still beats. I still want to make kids happy.

So what does a “provision shop” look like in 2025? Maybe it’s time we reimagine that dream for today’s little explorers:

🌟 A virtual shop—a fun digital space where kids earn rewards through creativity and kindness. Maybe we can create a metaverse on Roblox together?

🌟 Community pop-ups—bring back the magic at school events with mini shops they can help stock.

🌟 Memory kits—curated throwback packs with snacks, stories, and a taste of “then” for kids now.

🌟 Storytelling corners—share stories like mine through short illustrated tales that kids can relate to. Or let them have a taste to tell stories online. Let them figure out how to earn from various social media platform.

The dream isn’t about the shop. It’s about presence, joy, and being there—even in small ways—for the next generation.

If you grew up with those shops too, or ever felt that kind of childhood magic, maybe this dream is yours to carry too.

— Would you start something like this with me? Let’s remake the corner shop—heart and all. ✨