Brewing Success Manoj Murjani has transformed his passion for tea into a global luxury business. And he’s just getting started. He is the chairman of The Wellness Group and co-founder of its first subsidiary, TWG Tea, a Singaporean-based company that wants nothing less than world domination over the hallowed domain of luxury tea purveyors. Says Murjani: “We want to create a world of tea that is innovative and of the moment, while learning from the old masters and respecting the old traditions.’’ TWG Tea wants to re-establish and re-brand Asia as the birthplace of tea and refine tea appreciation, with unique blends and new approaches to its consumption. And it certainly isn’t doing so in small measures. The company, which started in 2007 with 600 teas, now has 700, including a whopping 15 Earl Grey blends alone. “By the end of next year, we intend to have a collection of over 1,000 teas,’’ says Murjani. When asked when he expects the company to break even, Murjani replies that the main impetus is not money. “The goal is never only financial but to do what we do well, be the best at it and not to compromise on value. That is the essence of TWG Tea. I believe that once those basics are respected, the success will soon follow.’’

Sofa, So Good? High-end furniture maker Saporiti Italia may make chic sofas, but its CEO Raffaele Saporiti thinks they are redundant. Kimitsu Yang finds out why. Tell us about your business. My father founded the company 61 years ago and it was just a furniture manufacturer. The company has changed and we now provide a complete solution for everything that's on the interior – homes or office spaces. What do you think are future trends for interior design? We are seeing an interesting trend where people personalise home furnishings with their initials, family's coat of arms or artistic drawings. That's when you go beyond looks and style. I have to say it's not even custom-made; you are getting something made for specially you – artistically. And we are proposing this concept to our high-end clients. In your opinion, what's the most redundant piece of furniture? I think it's the sofa, which is why I don't have one at home. When I entertain, I do it at my long dining table. It's more comfortable to eat and drink that way. I feel that it's uncomfortable trying to reach out from your sofa to get to your food or drinks on the coffee table.

All Things Still Good With The World Luxury consumption will undoubtedly suffer a setback this year. But rest assured, it’s temporary; and quality brands may even benefit amidst the carnage, argues Chin B Ho. Hey, Big Spender, are you still out there? You must be, since the sales of incredibly high-end stuff chalked up by people like you everywhere actually totalled a still-impressive US$233 (S$359) billion in 2008. There’s no doubt about it: Today's high-net-worth customers like you are still shopping. So, what will you buy in 2009? Perhaps, instead of snapping up several, lower-priced trendy items you will spend on a single, longer-lasting luxury item. In other words, you will continue to embrace exclusivity as well as quality and dependability. And, quite delightfully, you’ll also get to pick from an array of luxury brands offering discounts and incentives. Not surprisingly, for you, exclusivity is more important than ever. Those of you with an exceptional amount of discretionary income will want something that the masses can't have.This means niche labels, with a small set of loyal, big-spending followers, should prosper in this new market. The truth of the matter is, things aren't really all that bad, after all. This year's harsh headlines aside, we seem to be handling the tough times fairly well.