Take one savvy designer and groundbreaking AI technology, and you have the ultimate dream team creating cutting-edge designs and fabulous products at affordable prices.
Lifely creates beautiful, on-trend designer furniture at competitive price points, without sacrificing quality. But that’s only part of the story. Jake Yap says Lifely is more than a company that delivers fabulous furniture. “If we peel the company back like an onion, you’ll find that we’re actually more like a technology company,” he says.
Innovation is at the very beating heart of what Lifely does. Jake Yap says tapping into AI technology has helped it to forge ahead. Lifely has constructed AI tools that anticipate and understand what discerning clients want in real time. “That’s why we’re consistently ahead of the trend curve,” he notes.
This designer’s desire to offer affordable, innovative furniture began in his early 20s. “I found a high-quality, beautiful TV cabinet that would retail for $4000+, but the cost of the goods would be less than $200,” he says. Everybody who was part of the process would take a cut. “I thought, this system is completely broken, I just want to buy a great piece of furniture, not pay for buyers’ agents, middlemen, salesmen and so on.”
Jake flew to China to look for a solution. “I found a great manufacturing partner who believed in the vision of a young punk with oversized suits,” laughs Jake. Together, they developed their first collection, including a TV unit, coffee table, dresser, desk and chest of drawers. “They were absolutely beautiful, and at a fraction of retail cost,” he says.
This design powerhouse is ambitious, bold and perceptive. “I am constantly growing — personally and professionally. I have all the freedom in the world to create and innovate,” he enthuses. One of Jakes’ favourite pieces is the latest Lifely modular washable sofa. “I love it because it doesn’t just look beautiful, it’s a very functional piece designed to help a greatly underserved market — parents with little kids,” he says.
Jake is certainly humble about his success. “I never thought we’d be seen as a major disruptor in the industry; we’ve had multiple industry giants threatening us and trying to shut us down by copying us and forcing us into price wars multiple times,” he reveals.
His philosophy on life is to dream big. “We must take risks and strive to experience everything.” Professionally, Jake wants to expand Lifely globally, into the UK, US, Canada, Singapore and Europe, touching a billion customers’ lives.
With a passion and purpose to deliver affordable, cutting-edge furniture to the masses, there is every chance he will do just that.
Learn more, lifely.com.au
