MINDEE Ong is a Jack - or should that be a Jill - of all trades.

After starting out as a singer, she went on to become a household name after appearing in home-grown director Royston Tan's getai-inspired movies, 881 and this year's 12 Lotus.

Now Ong, 28, has added "entrepreneur" to her resume. Her lifestyle concept store, Trolley, opened in September.

"I've always wanted to open my own shop, but I wasn't sure what kind," she told my paper in a recent interview at the Amoy Street store.

"But I knew it definitely had to be art- and design-related," she added.

And after realising how difficult it was to find "exclusive, unique items" as gifts, she went into business with a friend, pumping in a five-figure sum from her savings.

"Singapore is lacking in mid-range lifestyle stores like Trolley," she explained.

It seems the latest twist in her life has been a successful one too: sales from October through to this month have been good - partly due to the Christmas shopping season, with some items like the Elmar Flototto Flowerpower fan from Germany selling out.

Dressed casually in a white T-shirt and long black skirt, Ong is feminine without being girlish and exudes an easy style - like many of the products in her store.

Trolley carries imported furniture, luggage and quirky gift items from countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Japan and Holland - all hand-picked by Ong on her travels.

And she has been treading other paths too - she was recently appointed brand ambassador for home-grown handbag label, Sembonia.

One of her first tasks as ambassador was to name the brand's signature collection.

"Since I'm the first appointed ambassador for the brand, I thought the name Prelude would signify a new beginning for both of us," she revealed.

Next year, she will be involved in the designing of limited- edition bags in Sembonia's new collection - something she looks at as a challenge.

"I feel I'm creative in my own way, but it will be something totally new, so I'm looking forward to it," she admitted.

But despite her already hectic schedule, Ong insists she is not tossing showbiz aside. Acting is still her priority, she said.

"I've never really focused my career on singing, but I'm hoping to get involved in more movies and more challenging roles," she said.

And she wouldn't say no to the chance to work with Royston Tan again, saying: "We're very close friends, but as an actress, I'm very grateful to him as he truly trusts the talent he picks and allows them to develop their characters."

Trolley is at 20, Amoy Street. For more information, visit www.trolley.com.sg

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