Yeah Hiang Nam shares his views on balancing family ties and business success.
Building ValueMax with Family Values
SINGAPORE – For Mr. Yeah Hiang Nam, the founder of the ValueMax pawnshop chain, the idea of family in business has clear boundaries. His company, which operates 47 outlets across Singapore, thrives on collaboration with his three children. However, in-laws are a different matter.
“Working with my children feels like working with friends,” he says, emphasizing the harmony that comes with a closely-knit core team. His eldest daughter, Ms. Yeah Lee Ching, serves as ValueMax’s managing director, a role she transitioned into after years of immersion in the family trade.
A Childhood Surrounded by Gold
Ms. Yeah reminisces about her early exposure to the business. Growing up in a household where gold ornaments were crafted, she played with gold bars like Lego bricks and assisted her father in stamping “916” on finished products. “It was fun,” she recalls.
The No-In-Laws Principle
While Mr. Yeah embraces familial involvement, he believes excluding in-laws avoids potential conflicts. “Keeping the business within the immediate family helps maintain clarity and focus,” he explains.
ValueMax’s success reflects this disciplined approach, blending family cohesion with professional foresight to build a legacy grounded in mutual respect and shared vision.
