When your associate mentions ‘film night time,’ what involves thoughts? An off-the-cuff dinner at a mall, earlier than selecting up popcorn and sandwiches at a Golden Village retailer, maybe? Or perhaps an evening with a house cooked meal, watching a film on Netflix?
This isn’t the case for brothers Nigel and Don Leow, who’re additionally the founders of Cozyplace. Launched in 2019 within the midst of the pandemic, it gives one of the best film expertise for small teams or {couples}.
At first look, the concept could seem moderately unusual. How would one go about combining the cinematic expertise of a movie show or the consolation of a house for {couples}?
From the person cave to the rendezvous
Whereas the startup is primarily recognized for courting {couples}, it did not at all times begin out that approach.
My pal and I have been hanging out in my workplace, and I casually talked about that having a ‘man cave’ to sit back with associates could be an incredible thought. We began brainstorming what the right ‘man cave’ would seem like and what it will take to get individuals to return and guide that place.
– Nigel Leow, co-founder of Cozyplace
Whereas this began out as an harmless, impromptu dialogue, the concept caught and a month later, he had drawn up plans for the primary iteration of Cozyplace.
Curiously, this was not an idea for a courting web site. Removed from it, the concept was geared toward small teams of associates and supplied them a spot to play and loosen up, moderately than a personal movie show expertise.
This was earlier than the worst of the pandemic, when teams of 5 have been nonetheless allowed. Then in 2021, with the rise in circumstances, the dimensions of the teams was additional lowered and solely teams of two have been allowed as per Covid restrictions.
This was an enormous key in Cozyplace’s plans, with rooms fitted out for bigger teams that would not make it. As such, Nigel determined that the corporate must change its focus to focus on younger {couples}.
Thus the present iteration of Cozyplace was born. It’s now a personal house for {couples} to guide, the place they’ll take pleasure in one of the best courting expertise.
Welcoming your house
Deciding on a enterprise pivot is one factor; executing it’s one thing else totally.
“Industrial lease is not low cost, and the preliminary rental deposit and renovation value have been staggering, particularly for an unproven idea like Cozyplace,” remembers Nigel. Homeowners have been unwilling to lease to them, preferring to attend for extra established corporations to point out curiosity.
Finally, they managed to discover a house on Jalan Besar the place they may lastly calm down, however this was not the tip of their issues. In keeping with Nigel, the preliminary public response to the Cozyplace thought was disappointing.
The few inquiries we acquired have been from individuals who have been extra skeptical than . Individuals in contrast what we supplied to only watching Netflix at house. I imply, watching Netflix at house is free, so why trouble paying for the Cozyplace expertise?
– Nigel Leow, co-founder of Cozyplace
The issues have been and nonetheless are legitimate, Nigel admits. However as a substitute of taking it as mere criticism, he took it as real suggestions to enhance the Cozyplace idea.
They made a big funding to spruce up every of the ten rooms, furnishing them with a large 1.7m extensive TV for an immersive cinematic expertise, sofas, wall lighting, and most significantly, soundproofing.
Every room is supplied with 3-layer partitions and 100kg rock wool sound insulation to make sure soundproofing for an uninterrupted film expertise.
Whereas Nigel and Don have declined to supply particular figures on how a lot they’ve invested to date, it seems the enterprise is already near breaking even.
Cozyplace’s redefinition from a person cave to a date spot did not finish there. As demand for his non-public film expertise elevated, Nigel started receiving requests for extra selection at Cozyplace. Strategies for themed rooms, together with totally different lighting kinds and meals choices, began pouring in.
Cozyplace presently gives a number of totally different choices to select from: the usual film expertise, an possibility for dinner and a film date, a romantic Okay-drama expertise, or a romantic starry night time expertise.
spreading the love
Buoyed by its success to date, Cozyplace has plans to develop and open a second retailer close to Bugis and Bencoolen MRT, and subsequent to the Nanyang Academy of Effective Arts.
The brand new outlet could have eight extra non-public film theaters and can function related themes as its present outlet on Jalan Besar. Its launch is scheduled for the tip of this month.
Whereas virtually everybody has a narrative about corporations letting requirements drop once they develop, Don and Nigel promise there shall be no such drop.
Regardless of this enlargement, our predominant focus has at all times been to repeatedly enhance the Cozyplace expertise for our clients. Whereas we do have plans for this enlargement, it can not come at the price of the Cozyplace expertise or our customer support.
– Nigel Leow, co-founder of Cozyplace
For Don and Nigel, the idea of being romantic does not essentially must equate to fancy issues like costly jewellery and advantageous eating eating places. As a substitute, they see the concept of romance as easy and comforting.
Even a ‘date night time at house’ might be made higher, and the brothers appear to have discovered a option to do it.
Featured Picture Credit score: Cozyplace
– These brothers rent out a ‘cozyplace’ for private dining and movies
