Mr Danny Teo transformed an air-conditioning business based in that simple shelter into an appliance and electronics retail chain, now known as Gain City Best Electric.
Mr Teo, the founder and its executive chairman, said in Mandarin: "The company has to move forward, or it will move backwards. I have to always improve, expand the product line and provide more services."
In an interview with my paper last Monday at his Ang Mo Kio head office, he added: "Doing business is like being in a Formula One race. You have to race fast and avoid accidents."
Mr Teo, who turns 53 this year, said he went into the air-conditioning trade as he believed it had "a lot of potential", due to Singapore's warm climate and the fact that he was "afraid of the heat".
At age 16, he became an apprentice at a now-defunct local air-conditioning firm and picked up skills in maintenance and repair.
In 1981, he opened his own door-to-door air-conditioning maintenance business.
"I'm an independent person, with my own way of doing things. It's easier for me to express my abilities that way."
The man also explained why he did not follow in his parents' footsteps of supplying seafood to restaurants and coffee shops.
"In the past, I didn't think it was challenging enough. But, when I grew older, I realised the seafood business was actually not bad."
After he began his business, he took in an apprentice.
He eventually hired more people, roped in his four younger brothers and trained them.
The name of his business, Gain City, was derived from his desire to contribute to Singapore and help it prosper.
Singapore is known as the Lion City, while one English translation for "prosper" in Chinese is "gain".
In due course, he branched out into the refrigeration business and other home appliances and, about three to four years ago, consumer electronics such as notebooks and cameras.
Gain City has nine retail outlets. Its latest store in Changi City Point opened in November last year.
The firm is planning a new centralised warehousing facility in Sungei Kadut with a new retail store.
The 10-storey building is expected to open in the first quarter of 2014.
Besides retail business, Gain City is also in the wholesale business.
The company has been involved in installing air-conditioners for the F1 night race in Singapore since 2008.
One project Mr Teo got much satisfaction from was the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings in 2006, as the event came with many challenges, such as severe time constraints.
Gain City has pulled through tough times as well.
In fact, the business founder took the opportunity during slow periods, such as the 2009 recession, to hire and train workers, instead of retrenching staff and cutting pay.
This helped prepare the company to do more business subsequently.
"You have to make preparations regularly," he said of downturns.
"If you regularly do things properly, you'll be fine."
The firm has about 700 employees and, if Mr Teo has his way, the number will grow to 1,000.
While family members, including three of his brothers, are actively involved in the business, Mr Teo strives to keep work separate from family matters.
"In this way, when brothers work together, there won't be problems," he explained.
And he deliberately avoids harping on a "family culture" in Gain City.
He said: "Just get the work done properly. A family culture should naturally develop on its own.
"It's important to be sincere, honest, keep your word and be professional."
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