At the same time, Andrew has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs to follow their passions, even if it means you have to blend a whole new recipe from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balancing An Everyday Personal Health Challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDuring his time in the UK studying law, Andrew faced a familiar personal health challenge. His stressful and hectic lifestyle was affecting his bowel movements, leaving him with persistent constipation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What started out as a minor health-related inconvenience quickly became a recurring problem that affected his daily life and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The solution to his problem was not going to be revolutionary either. He knew he had to improve his diet \u2013 adding more fruits and vegetables. That\u2019s when he turned to smoothies as an easy and nutritious solution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the cramped kitchen in his university dorm room made it impractical to use a traditional blender. Setting up, blending, and cleaning up was cumbersome, messy, and time-consuming, all things a busy student could ill afford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wanted something simple and fuss-free, like a Starbucks tumbler that could blend,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This simple concept laid the foundation for what would eventually become\u00a0HiBlendr<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 a portable, stylish, and powerful blender designed for life on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/HiBlendr-product-819x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuilding the First Prototype Concept<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTurning an idea into reality, however, was easier said than done. Andrew didn\u2019t have any experience in entrepreneurship or background in product design and manufacturing. What he did have, though, was a relentless drive to learn and solve his own problem, and help others facing the same challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He began sketching ideas, studying other bulky blender mechanisms, and reaching out to manufacturers who could help build a prototype. Early versions of his prototype looked like an assembly of ragtag parts. Battery life wasn\u2019t poor. The motor power was not consistent. And durability left a lot to be desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Andrew kept improving the design and functionality with each new iteration, learning through trial and error. “I would test them myself, break them, and fix them again,” he explained. His early goal was singular: create a blender that was powerful, portable, and visually appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After countless prototypes and late nights, the first HiBlendr was born\u2014a minimalist, lightweight, USB-rechargeable portable blender, stylish enough to fit into a handbag or gym bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/HiBlendr-functions.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Steep Learning Curve Of Business-Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nJust because he had built an acceptable product did not mean he was anywhere closer to starting a successful business. Like any startup, the early days were filled with uncertainties and obstacles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides drawing on his own personal savings to fund HiBlendr\u2019s initial product launch, Andrew also adopted a pre-order model. He was able to collect funds upfront to subsidise costs for his first production run.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As fate would have it, COVID-19 hit. While the pandemic provided an initial boost in online sales, Andrew quickly saw intensified competition and counterfeit products on many of the popular online shopping platforms, like Shopee and Lazada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was forced to put on his marketing hat. To combat his competitors that were selling inferior quality products, Andrew invested heavily in market, content creation and collaborations. Andrew also worked with physical stores to distribute his products more widely, and today, Hiblendr can be found in as many as 50 Watsons stores across Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Andrew-Poh-HiBlendr.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIntroducing The Juice Cup Ultra<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuilding the First Prototype Concept<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTurning an idea into reality, however, was easier said than done. Andrew didn\u2019t have any experience in entrepreneurship or background in product design and manufacturing. What he did have, though, was a relentless drive to learn and solve his own problem, and help others facing the same challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He began sketching ideas, studying other bulky blender mechanisms, and reaching out to manufacturers who could help build a prototype. Early versions of his prototype looked like an assembly of ragtag parts. Battery life wasn\u2019t poor. The motor power was not consistent. And durability left a lot to be desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Andrew kept improving the design and functionality with each new iteration, learning through trial and error. “I would test them myself, break them, and fix them again,” he explained. His early goal was singular: create a blender that was powerful, portable, and visually appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After countless prototypes and late nights, the first HiBlendr was born\u2014a minimalist, lightweight, USB-rechargeable portable blender, stylish enough to fit into a handbag or gym bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Steep Learning Curve Of Business-Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nJust because he had built an acceptable product did not mean he was anywhere closer to starting a successful business. Like any startup, the early days were filled with uncertainties and obstacles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides drawing on his own personal savings to fund HiBlendr\u2019s initial product launch, Andrew also adopted a pre-order model. He was able to collect funds upfront to subsidise costs for his first production run.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As fate would have it, COVID-19 hit. While the pandemic provided an initial boost in online sales, Andrew quickly saw intensified competition and counterfeit products on many of the popular online shopping platforms, like Shopee and Lazada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was forced to put on his marketing hat. To combat his competitors that were selling inferior quality products, Andrew invested heavily in market, content creation and collaborations. Andrew also worked with physical stores to distribute his products more widely, and today, Hiblendr can be found in as many as 50 Watsons stores across Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIntroducing The Juice Cup Ultra<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Steep Learning Curve Of Business-Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nJust because he had built an acceptable product did not mean he was anywhere closer to starting a successful business. Like any startup, the early days were filled with uncertainties and obstacles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides drawing on his own personal savings to fund HiBlendr\u2019s initial product launch, Andrew also adopted a pre-order model. He was able to collect funds upfront to subsidise costs for his first production run.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As fate would have it, COVID-19 hit. While the pandemic provided an initial boost in online sales, Andrew quickly saw intensified competition and counterfeit products on many of the popular online shopping platforms, like Shopee and Lazada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was forced to put on his marketing hat. To combat his competitors that were selling inferior quality products, Andrew invested heavily in market, content creation and collaborations. Andrew also worked with physical stores to distribute his products more widely, and today, Hiblendr can be found in as many as 50 Watsons stores across Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIntroducing The Juice Cup Ultra<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Heypresso-1024x1020.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n