Unleashing Flavors, One Drop at a Time
Meet Wen Xi Low and Jaekan Wong, the dynamic duo behind LadleDrops, a startup that’s shaking up the world of gastronomy with their innovative edible “drops.” Imagine a cocktail encapsulated in a delicate membrane that bursts with flavour the moment it hits your palate. This unique concept is the brainchild of Wen Xi’s technical prowess and Jaekan’s business acumen.
From Poly Days to Business Partners
“We first met during our polytechnic years,” Wen Xi recalls. “Initially, I found Jaekan’s jokester persona quite annoying. He was always joking around and trying to contaminate our sterile equipment. Through multiple group projects where we worked with each other closely, we discovered a mutual respect for other’s work ethics. In the final year when COVID-19 hit, we did an enterprise project together that introduced us, scientists, to a world of business. Even though it was a small project, I was inspired by Jaekan’s business perspective. Combining my love for research and technical skills with his business acumen, we decided to create a startup together.”
Jaekan adds, “I’ve always believed that life is about experiences, not just about getting the grade or a certificate. When I first met Wen Xi, I thought that he took his studies too seriously. Our polarizing personalities led to consistent clashes and run-ins with each other. In Poly, while everyone was focused on science, I was combining my love for business with my passion for science. It felt quite lonely until I met someone who shared my dreams—yes, none other than my sworn enemy, Wen Xi. We started off shaky, but we found a certain chemistry. We both love food and cocktails, which led us to our venture.”
Their backgrounds are a perfect blend of meticulous technical skills and strong relationship-building capabilities. Wen Xi, with his focus on operations and research, complements Jaekan’s expertise in relationship management and business development.
The Birth of LadleDrops
The idea for LadleDrops was born out of their shared passions. “We both love food and cocktails,” says Jaekan. “We wanted to combine our interests in gastronomy and science, so we came up with the concept of encapsulating cocktails in edible drops.”
Wen Xi elaborates, “We created a rough prototype in three weeks and presented it to several bistros and restaurants. The reception was overwhelmingly positive. People loved the unique experience of the drops bursting with flavour in their mouths. It was a validation of our hard work in R&D.”
LadleDrops targets two distinct audiences: “Around 70 to 80% of our customers are female,” Jaekan explains. “They describe our product as cute, aesthetically pleasing, and Instagrammable. Men, on the other hand, find it fun and geeky. They enjoy the technology behind it and the social aspect of making their friends try it.”
Jaekan adds, “The men were particularly fascinated by the science behind the drops. They found the technology cool and appreciated the innovative approach we took. It became a talking point among their friends, and they enjoyed explaining how the drops worked. This geeky enthusiasm was something we didn’t expect but welcomed wholeheartedly.”
Overcoming Challenges
Starting a business is never without its challenges. Wen Xi reflects, “The first memorable experience was realizing that a product we made could be brought to the market. During our R&D phase, we encountered many failures. The membrane would often burst, or be too thick, causing the liquid to spill. It was a challenging process, but also fulfilling because we learned a lot.”
Jaekan adds, “One of our first events was at a bar named 23 Ann Siang. We played games like Chubby Bunny with our drops, and it showed people how they could enjoy alcohol while having fun with friends. The positive feedback was incredible.”
Looking to the future, Jaekan says, “We’ve had successful collaborations with bars like Level Up in Clarke Quay and event organizers like Eleven Degrees. Our collaboration with Chuga Soju was particularly memorable, with them sponsoring bottles for our event. It was a huge milestone for us. Expect more exciting events and a whole line of new products. We encourage everyone to experience LadleDrops at our events for the full experience.”
Wen Xi adds, “Our events have shown us that people love the interactive and fun nature of our product. We want to expand this experience to more locations and create a full line of LadleDrops products.”
Key Moments and Customer Feedback
Reflecting on their journey, Wen Xi shares, “One of the most rewarding moments was when we saw customers enjoying our product. They described the drops as cute, aesthetically pleasing, and Instagrammable. Men found them fun and geeky, appreciating the technology behind them.”
Business Concept and Unique Selling Proposition
Jaekan elaborates, “It’s gratifying when people recognize our brand and remember their first experience with our product. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it motivates us to keep innovating. Whenever I talk to those who have tried our drops, it often leads to a reconnection where we’d be like ‘Oh, you remember us?’ They always talk about their first experience, which resonates well with us.”
LadleDrops stands out by bringing gourmet experiences to the mass market at an accessible price point. “Typically, such experiences cost $40-50 per piece in high-end settings,” Jaekan explains. “LadleDrops offers this at $5 per piece or $20 for four servings—the average price of each cocktail in bars. This strategy makes high-end culinary experiences affordable for a broader audience.”
The product’s core concept revolves around creating novel experiences. “This is not a ‘need’ company,” says Jaekan. “Our product is more of a novel experience. Food is a platform for people to connect and bond over. We create products to facilitate such conversations and experiences. The experience of our drops is our unique selling proposition.”
Journey and Challenges
Building LadleDrops was no easy feat. Society often encourages conventional paths, such as studying and landing a good job, rather than entrepreneurship. Both founders faced resistance from friends and family. However, their shared vision and complementary skills helped them overcome these challenges.
Jaekan’s entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by his experiences in a Harvard Business School Club Program, where he was mentored by graduates from Harvard. “One of my mentors was a business owner of a dating platform,” he recalls. “Her journey was exciting and appealing, which inspired me to explore being a startup founder.”
Looking Ahead
As they continue their journey, Wen Xi and Jaekan remain committed to innovation and providing unique experiences for their customers. With LadleDrops, they’ve not only created a product but also a sensation that leaves a lasting impression.
Final Thoughts
When asked what they wish they had known earlier, Wen Xi admits, “I thought technical skills and research were all we needed. But there’s so much more to running a business, like marketing and understanding business dynamics. I wish we had realized the importance of these aspects sooner. I was a technical person who never thought much about the business aspects. But I learned that having a good product is not enough. You need to know how to market it, how to handle the business, and how to pivot when necessary.”
Jaekan adds, “I wish I knew the value of networking and talking to the right people. I believe in the saying, ‘I see beyond the horizon because I stand on the shoulders of giants.’ Back then, I thought I knew everything. I thought, ‘I know my product, and I have the best insight into what my business should do.’ But as we encountered failures, I realized it’s better to learn from others’ experiences. Talking to fellow entrepreneurs and business owners gave us valuable insights and resources that we couldn’t have found on our own. Networking provided us with opportunities and perspectives that accelerated our growth and helped us avoid painful mistakes.”
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