Sownthirarajan Tamilarasan learnt the hard way that quality alone does not build a business

At Mubest, the work begins with a simple proposition that can sound almost old-fashioned in a sector often pressured by speed, cost, and tight timelines: do the work properly, and build trust slowly enough for it to last.

For its director, Sownthirarajan Tamilarasan, that conviction came from years spent observing the electrical services industry from within. “The earliest conviction behind Mubest came from seeing a clear gap in the market for reliable, high-quality electrical services,” he says.

“Having worked in the industry for years, we understood how important trust, consistency, and workmanship were, yet those standards were often compromised in pursuit of speed or cost.”

That gap became the reason for the company’s existence. “We wanted to build a company where quality was genuinely the priority, not just a slogan,” he says. “From the very beginning, the focus was on delivering work we could stand behind while also creating a company that valued both clients and employees equally.”

Such clarity did not make the early years easier. Mubest entered a highly competitive industry where trust had to be earned project by project, while operational pressures could quickly become existential. There were cash-flow constraints, delayed payments from contractors, and difficulty finding skilled, dependable workers. “At times, we had to inject personal capital just to keep operations moving.”

Survival to stewardship

What carried the company through those years was consistency: meeting timelines, maintaining standards, and communicating honestly with clients. Over time, repeat work and referrals began to form the company’s credibility. “Looking back, those difficult periods taught us discipline and shaped the culture of the company today,” he says.

That culture has become increasingly important as the company has matured. In the beginning, leadership meant survival, execution, and keeping the business moving. “Over time, I realised that building a sustainable business is really about people, culture, and trust,” he says.

Today, he thinks more deliberately about the environment his team works in, and how stability within the company translates into quality outside it. Mubest invests in teamwork, communication, welfare, team bonding activities, overseas trips, and recognition for strong performance. “When employees feel valued, the quality of work naturally follows,” he adds. “Success now is not just about projects completed, but about building something meaningful that people are proud to be part of.”

That shift also reflects a broader change in how he defines value. At this stage of his life, Sownthirarajan places greater weight on stability, relationships, and purpose. “In business, I appreciate long-term trust and consistency over short-term wins. In family life, I value being present and creating security for the people closest to me.”

Beyond the milestone

It is perhaps why the things he chooses now tend to carry the language of permanence rather than display. His BMW X7 – BMW 110 Years represents that sensibility, drawing a quiet parallel with BMW’s own 110-year story of trust, progress, and sustained relevance. “What first drew me to it was its understated sense of confidence and refinement,” he says.

“It has presence, but in a very elegant and balanced way.” For him, the car marks a personal milestone rather than a public statement — “a reflection of the years of hard work, perseverance, and growth that went into both life and business”.

As a husband and father, he was also drawn to its ability to fit both family and professional life. But what resonates most is what it quietly symbolises. “When I look at it, I think about the journey behind it — the difficult early years, the risks taken, the sacrifices made, and the people who supported me along the way.”

The next chapter for Mubest carries the same spirit of steady expansion. The company hopes to expand its capabilities in the construction sector and take on larger projects as a main contractor, a move that would give it greater independence and long-term impact. Alongside its core business, Mubest has also moved into food and community through Thashans’ Curry and Shamithas Stores, initiatives that began as a way to better support its workers before becoming something larger. 

“Ultimately,” Sownthirarajan insists, “the vision is to continue building businesses centred around quality, trust, and care for people while contributing positively to the wider community as well.”

Photography: Lawrence Teo
Art direction: Ashruddin Sani
Stylist: Dolphin Yeo
Grooming: Joanna Ong, The Parlour, using Kevin Murphy and Shiseido