My good friend Eric Soong is in the NST!!!!!!!!!
CAN’T live without your BlackBerry but don’t think its looks go with your personality? No worries. There are ways to customise it, says Eric Soong. The 27-year-old is an old hat where BlackBerry makeovers are concerned as he has customised three of his own. In fact, he has an online business (http://blackberryhousing.blogspot.com/), which focuses on BlackBerry housing and casing services that are gaining quite a reputation among BlackBerry owners in the Klang Valley.
For Soong, it all started some two years ago when he returned to Malaysia after spending 14 years in Vancouver, Canada. After his parents separated, he followed his father there to make a new life. But when his mother fell ill, Soong decided to come back.
“I also wanted to see what Malaysia has for me. And to be honest this (the business) was just out of the blue, and it wasn’t even an idea when I came back. But I guess I lucked out,” says Soong.
People visit Soong’s blogshop to beautify their BlackBerry to the fullest.
“I didn’t start this blog to make money, it was a passion. I used an iPhone but most of my friends in Canada use BlackBerry. I made the switch so that we can communicate easier. I bought a secondhand BlackBerry and wanted to change the housing to all-white. Since I couldn’t find any shop that could do it, I did some research and DIY. I went online, bought the parts and learned to change the housing through YouTube. It was quite a smooth and easy procedure, so I thought of providing the service to other BlackBerrians,” says Soong. At that time, Soong was working full-time as a salesperson selling holiday club memberships. By word-of-mouth, he began to get more sales through the blogshop. He left his day job to concentrate on beautifying BlackBerry phones full-time.
“I can do iPhones as well, but competition is tough. And BlackBerry phones are keeping me busy. I just don’t have time for other ventures.” Today, Soong does five to 10 makeover jobs per day. According to Soong, each BlackBerry model has its own style, colour and case. “So, you must buy according to your own model. You can change the colours of your BlacBerry housing to any combinations you like. The parts of one particular model cannot interchange with those of others. I buy all my housings from other suppliers. Custom -coloured housings are made to order, by piecing them together like Lego sets. I have done quite a few including Transformers and Spiderman themed housings.” Best-sellers are usually black, white, pink or red. A variety of people seek his products and services tagged “Customise Your Blackberry”.
“My customers range from a 14-year-old student to business owners in their 50s. I also have bling bling cases popular among girls who do not want to change housings. I currently do not customise the bling bling.” The trend of changing the backlight of the BlackBerry to a rainbow colour is catching on, says Soong.
A word of advice on changing housings.
“People need to be aware of the pros and cons. There are risks. I’m not saying that I never make mistakes, I do. But it’s at my cost. But I’m experienced with BlackBerry phones and I minimise the risk of breaking anything in the process of beautifying your BlackBerry.” Soong has ambitions to open a physical shop. At present, he meets clients, picks up their phones and sends the customised end-product.
“I started the blogshop with zero capital, and now it’s quite reputable. I hope to realise the goal of having a shop one day.”