While most teenagers her age are focused on schoolwork and hobbies, 13-year-old Eleora Liang from Singapore is already running a profitable business, earning over SGD 2,000 (around ₹1.2 lakh) a month by selling pickleball paddles.
Eleora’s story has drawn attention online for showing how early exposure to entrepreneurship can translate into real-world skills, discipline and financial confidence.
A business idea sparked at age ten
Eleora’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2022, when she was just ten years old. Encouraged by her mother to start a small venture to learn practical skills, she initially tried selling stationery. The idea, however, failed to gain traction.
Noticing growing interest and conversation around pickleball — a sport rapidly gaining popularity worldwide — Eleora decided to pivot. She shifted her focus from stationery to sports equipment, identifying pickleball paddles as a niche opportunity.
Turning a small loan into steady income
To kickstart the new venture, Eleora received SGD 2,000 from her mother as seed capital. By January 2024, she began selling paddles sourced from manufacturers in China and Vietnam.
She sells the products through her own website as well as the online marketplace Carousell. In a full-circle moment, Eleora now earns roughly the same amount every month as the sum she initially borrowed from her parents.
Discipline behind the success
Despite her young age, Eleora approaches her business with structure and commitment. She spends at least four hours a day managing operations — updating her website, handling listings, tracking inventory and overseeing day-to-day tasks.
Her family plays a supportive role. Her parents manage finances and supplier negotiations, while her 17-year-old sister helps with social media promotion. Still, Eleora remains closely involved in every aspect of the business.
She admits, with humour, that she occasionally uses her business responsibilities as an excuse. “I’ll tell my mum, ‘I need to update the website,’” she said, calling it a clever way to skip homework at times.
Bigger lessons beyond profit
For Eleora’s mother, the goal was never just about earning money. The experience has helped Eleora develop confidence, discipline and financial awareness far earlier than most children.
Interestingly, Eleora does not plan to remain in business long-term. Her true dream is to become a professional violinist. The income from her side hustle has already helped her purchase her first professional-grade violin, priced at SGD 5,000, with her mother’s approval.
As pickleball continues its rapid rise in popularity, Eleora is enjoying the momentum — balancing school, business and music with remarkable maturity.