Picture this: a bunch of very clever engineers, armed with way too much brainpower, were building some ultra high-tech, sci-fi-ish medical gadget set to revolutionize the future of radiation oncology.
The only problem? Absolutely no one understood what they were on about. Funding dried up. Left with too much free time and a worrying amount of caffeine, we did what any group of underutilized nerds would do: we started complaining about life. Loudly. Endlessly. And thus, Enlit was born, because when hungry, frustrated (and slightly broke) engineers have time on their hands… well, let’s just say, expect the unexpected.
Complaint #1
Soapy
Drama
It all started with Tom, our Product Dev wizard. His wife, poor woman, kept getting rashes even from the fancy “natural” dish soaps (the cost of which, naturally, Tom never failed to mention). Determined to save both his wallet and his wife’s hands, he got the team together over instant noodles. Voilà: Enlit Dish Washing Liquid was born! Because, as Tom says, “happy wife, happy life.”
Complaint #2
Scented
Identity Crisis
Next up was George from Ops. The man is obsessed with that pricey British perfume brand, you know the one that sounds like you need a cup of milo? He kept swooning over their body wash while pocketing those precious travel-sized freebies. Challenge accepted. We tinkered, sniffed, and experimented until Enlit Men Bodywash hit the shelves. According to George, it’s almost as heavenly as his perfumery idol, not quite there, but he’s no longer sneaking samples, so we’ll take it.
Complaint #3
The (Scent) War
But harmony was not to last. Sue, also from Ops, flat-out refused to use the Men Bodywash, declaring it "an abomination to women’s nostrils." She staged a minor rebellion and demanded something “feminine and actually pleasant.” Cue even more lab chaos, and soon Enlit Bodywash, Moisturizing & Nourishing, were born. With two girly scents to one manly one, the balance of the bathroom was restored.
Complaint #4
Rash
Decisions
Back to Tom, whose 4-year-old son had a rash that seemed determined to win ‘most persistent skin irritation’ in the family. Tom, price warrior that he is, bought a $57, highly recommended, menthol-laden cream, only for the rash to double down. This was the last straw. We rolled up our sleeves, got to work, and brought Enlit Brown to life. End result: a happy, rash-free kiddo.
Complaint #5
Itchy Admin
Adventures
Meet Bonnie, our lone admin guy, forever freezing in his airconned office, fans whirring, yet always too hot (don’t ask us how). He’s a walking allergy alert: alcohol? Itch. SLS? Itch. Even raindrops? Massive itch. Our mission: could we make a moisturizing cream gentle enough for Bonnie’s skin yet robust enough to keep him productive (and not perpetually scratching)? Enter Enlit Terra!
Complaint #6
Fight
the Bite
Then there’s Perry, our big boss and resident ang moh, father of three adorable kids. He complained about mosquitoes terrorizing Singapore (don’t we all?) and needed a kid-friendly solution. Boss’s orders, so off we went, and Enlit Baby (our mosquito-resistant kiddo bodywash) was born. Jobs secured!
Complaint #7
Bare Hands,
Full Heart
Just as we started getting all smug, negative feedback rolled in: one loyal customer’s wife still had rashes, even after using our dishwashing liquid. Challenge re-accepted! We made it even gentler, for hands that deserve a little TLC. Hence, Bare Hands was born, shifting the focus from dishes to the delicate warriors who wash them.
And so, the Enlit flagship products were unleashed into the world. No animals were tested, just an army of family members, friends, next-door aunties, neighbors, plus a few game kindergarten teachers. We’re proud to report: they’re all alive, kicking, and, quite possibly, sporting the smoothest skin in their respective circles.
What's Next?
Who Knows!
• Ken from sales now wants bodywashes for every “type” of man (apparently it’s a whole spectrum!).
• Sue can’t find a floor cleaner she likes, so guess what’s on the project board?
• And Tom, as ever, is now waging a new crusade: “why does my wife’s makeup cost more than the GDP of a small nation?”
Our journey continues, fuelled by real-life complaints, caffeine, and way too many product samples. If you’ve got a brilliant grouse, let us know! Maybe your gripe will spark our next creation. Email us at sales@enlit.sg, and join the tradition of epic complaints (and possibly epic solutions).
(P.S. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Otherwise, we’d all be sleeping on the sofa tonight.)