‘I have better work-life balance now’: Dental assistant turned fishmonger

At first, Ms Neo sold only prawns.

“I wanted to have the confidence to sell”, before expanding to fish and other seafood, she said.

A typical workday begins with her waking up at around 1am, driving from her home in Bukit Panjang to Jurong Fishery Port to select the freshest fish and seafood on offer, and setting up her stall by 5am.

“The hardest part of my job is waking up,” she said.

The hours are demanding and the work is physical – but she is not complaining. Ms Neo’s day typically ends around noon to 1pm.

“Being a fishmonger actually gives me a better work-life balance,” she said, as she gets to spend more time with her parents when she is done for the day.

Today, she has established herself as a popular figure in Tiong Bahru Market, known for her meticulous arrangement of fish on display at the stall – from grouper and snapper to pomfret and milk fish. 

“Hui Qin is a nice and humble person who is always willing to help and learn. She may be small in size but her determination to succeed in a new industry, especially the fish business, is inspiring,” said Mr Gary Teo, a fishmonger at the market.

After two years on the job, Ms Neo has no regrets about her career change.

“I think I’ll do this forever, because I love this job,” she said. 

“What surprised me is that I can do quite a lot by myself. I thought I needed help, or I thought I couldn’t do it alone, but I can do everything on my own.”