Author: Samanth Yeo

SINGAPORE — At one point, Alvin de Souza’s last valuable possession was a Breitling watch — not as a flex, but because everything else had been sold or pawned. He was broke. But he never asked for help, borrowed money, or leaned on family. He rebuilt from zero — alone. Fast forward to today: Alvin manages a five-storey lifestyle building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — one of Asia’s most dynamic emerging markets. The space is home to ventures in café, fashion, beauty, entertainment, and event venue businesses — each backed, shaped, or founded by Alvin and his business…