Meet Joshua, a resilient entrepreneur from Singapore who transformed his early struggles into a mission to empower others. Joshua, who came from a low-income family, started working at 11 and quit school after O-levels to support his family. Despite the challenges, he rose through the ranks in recruitment in an US MNC, China MNC, local SME and was later headhunted by a prestigious Japanese firm.
Today, he is the founder of two fast-growing recruitment companies —Recruit Fast and FastShifts.sg. Recruit Fast is an executive search firm for mid to senior executives. FastShifts.sg is a recruitment platform which provides flexible job opportunities for gig workers and part-timers. Joshua’s inspiring journey proves that with grit and vision, anyone can turn adversity into impact, while helping to shape the future of Singapore’s job market.
Coming from a low-income family and having faced the challenge of leaving school after O-Levels, how has this experience influenced your passion for recruitment and drive to help others?
Growing up in a low-income family gave me a lot of resilience. I started working when I was 11 years old. While other kids were having fun, I was doing part-time work. At that time, I didn’t know the meaning of responsibility, but as I grew older, I understood. I just wanted to chip in, support the family and contribute.
Leaving school after O-Levels and starting a young family came with pressure and responsibility, but it was never a badge of shame—it fuelled my ambition.
I didn’t choose my recruitment career, it chose me. Through a recruitment firm, I found a part-time job as a promoter at a supermarket retailer. Due to my stellar performance, the recruiter asked me “Why don’t you promote jobs to people instead?”
So, I was given the opportunity to help others in need of a job to put food on the table. And that’s where my passion for recruitment came from. It’s about helping people and not just focusing on profits.
Recruitment changed your life and you’ve paid it forward by securing jobs for disadvantaged individuals. What motivates you to support those who face similar challenges?
Being able to help people in financial need or people who are less fortunate gives you a satisfaction that money can’t buy.
People told me, “Hey, you’re doing meaningful work,” and it’s very dear to my heart.
Being headhunted by a Japanese recruitment firm must have been a pivotal moment. How did the experience refine your approach to recruitment and talent acquisition?
It wasn’t just a salary upgrade. It was an immersion into a culture where meticulous service, respect and long-term relationship building were key. I learnt a lot about discipline—discipline equals trust.
Among the lessons I learnt were the importance of listening before speaking and honouring commitments. Every strategy I deploy today is rooted in that experience. It was one of the best opportunities I had, and to this day, I’m still applying it in my day-to-day operations.
You recently founded Recruit Fast and FastShifts.sg. Can you explain the vision behind these platforms?
Let me start with Recruit Fast. At Recruit Fast, we specialise in helping companies fill mid to senior roles quickly and precisely. With our focus on integrity and accuracy, we match companies with the right top-tier talent for their business.
As a boutique recruitment firm, we are able to provide customised hiring strategies to help our clients save costs.
I believe that business success begins with putting our people first. To create an employee-first culture, I pay my team of recruitment consultants above-market commission rates and provide them the flexibility to work from anywhere. These efforts have paid off. Our client and candidate databases keep growing.
FastShifts.sg, on the other hand, focuses on gig, temporary and contract staff. Clients can post their job ads on the platform for free. We also have a “train-the-trainer” programme, where our consultants will train the candidates on clients’ behalf, after receiving training.
I started working at 11. The jobs I took on enabled me to help my family survive tough times. Looking back, I see how my early experiences led to Recruit Fast and Fastshifts.sg today. Employment changes lives. That’s the reason why I do what I do.
I believe that business success begins with putting our people first. To create an employee-first culture, I pay my team of recruitment consultants above-market commission rates and provide them the flexibility to work from anywhere. These efforts have paid off. Our client and candidate databases keep growing.
How do you attract and support top HR professionals, including working mums and Gen Z employees, in creating a wholesome environment that promotes both happiness and health?
Trust and alignment are important. I listen closely to what my employees need and what matters most to them. I’ve generated career pathways for different groups of employees.
Recruit Fast currently has over 30 recruiters, most of whom do not need to report to the office. We create schedules that support working mums. They can work from anywhere and have the flexibility to choose their working hours.
Gen Z employees want to take on challenges and gain experience, so I empower them to take on new projects. Our wellness programmes, mentorship circles, and open-door communication all support a community where happiness and health are non-negotiable.
What are your long-term goals for your recruitment firms, and how do you plan to continue empowering both your team and your clients?
I want to be the premier engine for social mobility in the nation. It’s not just about placing people; it’s about building an ecosystem where employees upskill, clients transform their culture, and communities thrive.
Over the next five to ten years, we aim to expand into adjacent areas such as educational partnerships, career development platforms and impact investments—so that everyone, regardless of background, can access not just a job, but one that helps them reach their full potential.
What do you think makes a good entrepreneur?
I hope I’m one. I never thought about whether I’m good or bad. I just keep doing what aligns with my purpose and goals. It’s about integrity, being trusted, and being passionate about the work you do.
It’s also about sharing your vision with people who align with you and who fight alongside you—telling them, “This is the future we’re going to work towards, and this is the good future we will gain together,” and sharing that motivation and ambition.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I see Singapore evolving into a very dynamic hub for innovation and inclusivity. In fact, by 2030 onwards, I believe we will lead the region in skills-based hiring and lifelong learning. We will create jobs in green sectors, tech, AI and social enterprise.
These policies will empower gig and freelance workers and support entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, ensuring no one is left behind as we embrace automation. We will become a society where every individual has the resources and support to build a life they love — where success is based on merit, not circumstance.
Connect with Joshua: LinkedIn.
