Commentary: Why do Singaporeans who walk away from conventional jobs spark so much interest?

In the same vein, a former fine-dining chef who started his own hawker business selling Chinese tea drinks said, “My mum was retrenched when I was young. That experience taught me that I never want to face job insecurity.”

WHAT REPLACES JOB SECURITY?

It may be tempting to dismiss such choices as impractical, or to assume that choosing autonomy over a stable income results in a miserly life. But are we ignoring the underlying shift behind these decisions?

With fast-evolving technology and business models, perhaps we can no longer assume that joining a good company and working hard will ensure lasting job security. 

This could be one reason some individuals are rejecting the corporate ladder in favour of alternatives that offer a greater sense of control and self-determination, even though they come with substantial financial risk.