Singapore enjoys a sedentary life like never before since new delivery services cater to almost every need – groceries via Redmart, dinner via Deliveroo, juice via Gorilla Press. Then the industry slowed, and like the world of physics before Einstein, it seemed like there was nothing left to discover. This assumption was upended just this January by the founder of The Kaki Company, giving rise to a whole new delivery market: friends. Yes, you can now order and get a ‘friend’ delivered.
The business of friend rentals
Dwindling groups of people in familiar hangout places like cinemas and shopping centres has long been a trend, but was thought impossible to fix. This was when TKC founder Pang Yau realised that “nothing maximises enjoyment like the company of a friend, so I knew I had identified a gap in the market.”
Yet competition is fierce in the delivery industry. “Recruitment and training were our biggest concerns. I decided to bide my time for a suitable opportunity.”
Now after much research, recruitment and countless communications courses, Pang has her own network of trained compassionate employees (aka “friends”). “I like to think of us as a family. A family who reaches out, although for a small fee, but does the job where it’s needed.”
Her nearly 500 interpersonal communication specialists, as she likes to call them, are available at all times of the day.
How to order a friend
Potential customers simply need to select the gender, age and interests of the “friend” through the user-friendly (ahem) website, or convenient mobile app. A standard two hour package costs just $20, with a top up of $5 for each subsequent hour.
“Whether you want them to laugh at all your jokes, watch all 120 episodes of your favourite drama, or enjoy a pint of Ben & Jerry’s as you pour out your sorrows, these folks know what they’re doing,” Pang states with confidence.
Want to surprise a lonely friend? Why not custom order a buddy? The Kaki Company sends its “friends” through Uber, Grab or affordable public transport (for those on a slight budget). Order two buddies or more, and they’ll arrive bearing a choice of pizza, card games, or pre-booked movie tickets.
What about people who would abuse the system for hanky-panky? “Our system registers users under their NRIC and invites ratings,” explains Pang. “Our employees are also well-protected, and accompanied by a professional chaperone to verify the customer’s ID.” How does the chaperone help? “He has a very specific set of skills,” she replied with her Bryan Mills impression.
On 1st April, the Kaki Company will be holding its first KAKI-CO carnival for the public at -where else?- Kaki Bukit Avenue 1. With free food, drinks and video games, it is a choice time to meet and greet the “friends” on staff and test for personal chemistry in this radical new social enterprise. Check them out here.
