Anything But Ordinary
Story and Photos by: Melissa Mae
Known on Instagram (@afgsbsnssbuzjswbhb) for her fashion, ever-changing hairstyles and quirky feed, Charlene Yong is anything but ordinary.
This 20-year-old aspiring photographer has been known to take up different interests and projects over the years. From competitive figure skating to opening her own photography studio (Tuesdeag Creative Space), it is safe to say that she is quite different from your average teenager.
Recently, she became the new head promoter for ‘Fresh’ – a bar by day, and club by night. “It got taken over by a company called Whitehaus,” Charlene explained. “Whitehaus helps bars and venues with potential to reach a greater audience.”
“Adonis, owner of Whitehaus and resident DJ of Fresh approached me via Instagram direct message”, said Charlene as she enlightened us on how she got the job. “I'll do anything that isn't a 9 to 5 job sitting behind a desk.”
She is currently juggling her new job along with managing her studio and studies at Temasek Polytechnic’s Design School. When asked whether she planned to do this for long, she explained that it depends on whether or not her experience with ‘Fresh’ is smooth sailing.
“If it starts to get in the way of my personal work as a graphic designer/photographer or my school work, I’m out. I am blessed to not need the money from this job and I won’t hesitate to leave at any one point if I feel the need to.”
Whenever Charlene is sent an electronic direct mail (e-poster) for an event, all she has to do is mass text her broadcast list and await potential guests. “We also create pages on Facebook to contain detailed information about our events and send personal invitations through that,” she elaborated. On top of that, promoters have to promote events on their personal Instagram accounts.
However, it is not as smooth sailing as you think. Promoters do face a couple of challenges here and there – the most common being miscommunication. Whitehaus’ guest lists offer promoters free entrance to the club and free drinks for ladies before their 12.30am cut-off time. This has become quite a problem for Whitehaus as Singaporean clubbers usually leave to club around that time.
“Getting there before 12.30am has become an issue to my promoters who had promised their friends all these freebies, but arrive disappointed after 12.30am. This creates a domino effect to my promoters as they are only paid for guests who enter before 12.30am.”
When it comes to whether she thinks the job will be a springboard to other opportunities, she agreed. “Pretty sure it won't be giving me a career, but I may meet people who could create opportunities for me and I’m certain I’ll be expanding my connectivity and that would suffice.”
Her advice for students who want to work part time and be respected amongst others in the night scene? “Be smart about it. And always be selfish.”
