SIA air stewardess, 35, becomes fishmonger to turn around failing seafood business ex-boyfriend left behind

Once a Singapore Airlines air stewardess and model, 35-year-old Chen Shi Qi left all that behind to learn the ropes of fish-mongering in a bid to turn around a failing business.

The business selling seafood wholesale was started together with her ex-boyfriend, who had claimed to be good at business.

However, after they started the venture together and Chen got pregnant, her ex-boyfriend spent most of his time gambling instead.

After their daughter was born, Chen also found out that he had been unfaithful.

The seafood venture eventually became plagued with debt.

Now, Chen is taking things into her own hands to make good on the money she invested, and for herself and her daughter.

Ex-boyfriend

Chen said: "Sure, I have to put up with the stench, but at least people here won't cheat me of my money. I'm also making an honest living with my own two hands."

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, Chen shared that it all began in 2023.

Chen's ex-boyfriend claimed to be good at business. So, the two took the money meant to buy a house and sunk it into a seafood venture instead with Chen putting in a hefty S$170,000.

However, the business stayed in the red.

When she was five months into her pregnancy, Chen stopped putting money into the business. Instead, she saved up in preparation to raise her child.

"In the end, he turned a blind eye to the business. He even left me at the fishery port to go gambling," Chen told Shin Min.

Things got worse in 2024 after Chen gave birth to her daughter.

Her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, and their relationship fell apart.

Chen was left with a failing business that was in a heap of debt with suppliers.

As the business was registered under her name and because she wanted to recoup her total investment of S$170,000, Chen grit her teeth and pressed on, with her daughter in mind.

Learning the basics

Chen had to start from zero — she worked at a fishmonger stall at a wet market for two months to learn the ropes, from slicing fish to understanding the market.

She also picked up on the basics such as learning about the types of fishes and weighing and packaging.

She said, "During that period, after I finished working at the fishery at night, I'd go work at the wet market. I would go without sleep for more than 30 hours."

She would often arrive at the Jurong Fishery Port at 11pm and leave the next morning at 5am, she told Shin Min.

Breaking even

Tapping on her experience as a gaming livestreamer, Chen attracts customers by documenting her everyday life as a fishmonger and selling her products on social media.

"I'm relying on this to gain regular customers," Chen commented.

She had once considered calling it quits.

In December 2025, Chen was left with S$300 in her bank account while the next supplier delivery was due.

However, the thought of giving up came and went quickly. "If I give up now, I will lose my S$170,000 forever," she said.

She cut costs wherever she could — to save on S$10 of transport fees, Chen would make deliveries herself.

Bit by bit, she managed to break even.

Only young female fishmonger at Jurong

Shin Min reported that Chen was the only young female fishmonger at Jurong Fishery port.

Chen's outfit at the fishery is often a dri-fit tank top paired shorts.

Although some might find this is too casual, Chen explained that there are no fans at the fishery port.

The environment is also hot and humid.

"You'll also see that a lot of the male vendors here will go topless. It's very normal," Chen said.

She added: "If I wear cotton apparel, the fishy smell will stain the clothes and it'll be hard to get rid of."

When asked about how challenging the line of work is, Chen retorted: "Honestly, I think being together with my ex-boyfriend was the hardest. What I'm going through now is nothing compared to that phase of life."

Daughter is her driving force

Chen said that her daughter is still her greatest motivation.

No matter how busy she gets, daytime is reserved for her daughter.

"Even if I usually get home at 4am or 5am, I'd try to wake up at 9am to look after my daughter. I'll also try my best to make lunch or dinner for her," Chen said.

Her daughter is also one of the reasons why she's determined not to go back to being an air stewardess.

"I do enjoy being an air stewardess. But now, I don't think about going back to it. The work schedule is too unpredictable. I have more time for my daughter if I run my own business," Chen told Shin Min.