Overview:
Desmond Ryan Patrick is a Singapore entrepreneur and Co-Founder of RHELIS, a creative agency specialising in visual content and brand storytelling. Having struggled with drug addiction since his teenage years and spent time in and out of prison, Desmond transformed his life through perseverance, positive influences and a determination to rebuild trust. His journey from personal adversity to entrepreneurship reflects his belief in second chances and the importance of consistent actions in creating lasting change.
Industry:
Entrepreneurship | Creative Media | Digital Marketing | Video Production | Brand Storytelling | Social Media Marketing
Professional Experience:
Desmond entered the creative industry without a formal agency background, initially struggling with business operations, recruitment and communicating with corporate clients. As Co-Founder of RHELIS, he focused on client relationships, networking and business development while his business partner managed much of the operational work. Despite being naturally introverted, he gradually developed the confidence to pitch to business owners and senior executives. Through practical experience, Desmond also learnt to shift the agency’s focus from producing visually appealing content to developing purposeful storytelling that generates enquiries, supports sales and delivers measurable business results.
Turning Point:
A defining turning point came when Desmond found himself overwhelmed by debt, addiction and a sense of hopelessness. During this difficult period, a close friend encouraged him to meet positive people and recognise that a different future was possible. This experience motivated him to leave his former lifestyle behind and begin rebuilding his life. Although overcoming addiction was challenging, regaining the trust of family members and others proved equally difficult. Desmond eventually realised that genuine change could only be demonstrated through consistent actions, responsibility and results rather than promises.
What He Does Now:
Today, Desmond leads RHELIS alongside his co-founder, helping businesses create meaningful visual content that connects with audiences and achieves commercial objectives. He encourages brands to move beyond conventional promotional material and share authentic stories about their founders, people and experiences. Beyond entrepreneurship, Desmond advocates greater opportunities for former offenders seeking to rebuild their lives. He also hopes to see more originality and innovation in Singapore’s creative industry, while balancing his business responsibilities with fatherhood, fitness and personal development.
SGVisionaries Interview:
Leave a Reply