In Singapore, many great friendships begin in National Service. Few, however, go on to become businesses built on trust, shared values, and a common dream. For the three co-founders of Jolly Jungle — Kris Huang, Jamison Weng and Joseph Xie — what started as camaraderie forged in fatigues has evolved into a family-centric brand that brings joy, imagination and adventure to children and parents alike.
At first glance, the trio could not be more different. Kris, 32, served as a 3SG in Infantry, enjoys movies, music and travel, and is now married with a two-year-old son. Jamison, also 32 and a 3SG in Infantry as well is a self-proclaimed foodie and is married with two children — a six-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl. Joseph, the eldest at 36, served as a Corporal in the Commandos, loves music, parties and conversations, and is married with a five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
Different personalities, different paths, but a shared foundation rooted in National Service, and later, a shared purpose: creating a safe, exciting space where families can bond through play.
(Photo: Kris)
Kris and Jamison first crossed paths during their full-time NS in the same Infantry unit. Like many soldiers, they bonded through tough training, long days in the field, and moments of exhaustion that somehow made friendships stronger.
“We clicked quickly,” they recall. “Same humour, same straightforward approach to challenges.” In the Army, there’s little room for pretence — who you are under pressure is who you really are. That authenticity laid the groundwork for a bond built on mutual respect.
Joseph entered the picture a few years later, after NS, when civilian life brought them together. The chemistry was instant. Joseph’s reliability, positive energy and natural ability to connect with people made him a seamless fit. When the three finally met as a group, something just worked. Conversations flowed easily, values aligned, and there was a shared belief in discipline, teamwork and pushing forward together.
The seed for Jolly Jungle was planted during a reservist camp — one of those moments familiar to many Singaporean men, where fatigue lowers guards and real conversations happen. After a long day in the field, Kris and Jamison sat around chatting about life after the Army: careers, families, and the desire to build something meaningful beyond themselves.
That was when someone said it out loud: “With this kind of brotherhood, we should start a business together one day.”
It wasn’t a concrete plan, just an idea spoken into the night… but it stuck. Over time, as Joseph became part of their circle, the idea resurfaced whenever they met. What if they really did build something together?
When Jolly Jungle eventually took shape, the influence of National Service was unmistakable. NS had taught them resilience, discipline, adaptability, and above all, the importance of putting the team before oneself.
“These are exactly the values you need in a startup,” they say. Building a business is rarely smooth. There are long hours, uncertainty, and moments when quitting feels easier than continuing. NS had already trained them to push through discomfort, stay calm under pressure, and support one another when things get tough.
That same sense of responsibility, ingrained during service, now guides how they run Jolly Jungle, especially when it comes to safety. Parents trust them with their children, and that trust is taken seriously.
The spark for Jolly Jungle came not from a boardroom, but from fatherhood. As new dads, the founders found themselves searching for indoor playgrounds that were not only fun, but safe, imaginative, and thoughtfully designed.
What they found, however, felt lacking.
During a casual catch-up, the conversation shifted to what was missing in the market. They imagined an adventure-themed indoor playground, one that sparked curiosity and excitement, rather than just burning energy. Drawing inspiration from childhood fantasies and their own NS experiences in the jungle, the safari theme emerged naturally.
The “jungle” was symbolic. It reflected the ruggedness of Army training, the sense of exploration, and the bonds formed outdoors — reimagined into a safe, playful environment where children could roar like lions, swing like monkeys, and become little explorers of their own world.
What began as a simple “Wouldn’t it be cool if…” soon became Jolly Jungle.
Running a business together requires clear roles and trust — something the SAF instils deeply. The trio split responsibilities according to strengths, much like a well-run unit.
Joseph, with his commando background and natural charisma, leads marketing and events, bringing humour, energy and structure to every activation. Jamison oversees finance and logistics, applying creative problem-solving to complex challenges. Kris focuses on strategy and operations, ensuring the business runs smoothly day to day.
They hold regular “debriefs”, communicate honestly, and solve problems without ego. Disagreements are approached constructively — the goal is always the mission, not personal pride.
Turning Jolly Jungle from concept to reality was far from easy. Fundraising, securing locations such as Our Tampines Hub and SAFRA Yishun, navigating regulations, and managing budgets tested their resolve.
There were delays. There were doubts…
But NS had prepared them well. The “never quit” mindset from outfield training kept them moving forward. Planning for contingencies, second nature in the Army, became a crucial business skill. Each setback was treated like a training obstacle: analyse, adapt, and move forward together.
One lesson from NS continues to guide their leadership: lead by example and stay calm under pressure. In the Army, the most respected leaders weren’t the loudest — they were the ones who stayed composed in chaos.
At Jolly Jungle, that philosophy shapes everything from handling operational hiccups to managing peak-hour crowds. By staying calm, the founders set the tone for their team, keeping morale high and energy positive even during demanding moments.
Some Army habits never quite leave. Daily checks and thorough cleaning routines mirror area inspections in camp, ensuring Jolly Jungle remains safe and spotless. Timed challenges, a familiar military drill, are used to set up events efficiently.
Even Army slang has found its way into meetings. “Recce” for site checks. “Stand-to” for gearing up before busy weekends. These quirks add humour, but also reinforce efficiency and shared culture.
Looking back, the founders agree that their NS brotherhood has had the biggest impact on Jolly Jungle’s identity. The trust, resilience and unity formed during service now define the brand’s values — safety, fun, and meaningful family bonding.
Those values were vividly realised on opening day at Our Tampines Hub. Watching children’s faces light up, hearing parents say it was exactly what they were looking for — those moments made every struggle worth it. Expansion to SAFRA Yishun only reinforced that sense of purpose.
Their own families have been pillars of support. Wives held the fort at home during long workdays. Parents offered advice. Friends helped with renovations, promotions and honest feedback. Everyone became part of the journey.
And then there were the kids… the most important testers of all.
Seeing their children’s eyes widen at the slides and jungle animals during setup was a powerful reminder of why Jolly Jungle exists. One toddler’s excited chant of “Daddy jungle!” became a small but deeply meaningful validation.
At its core, Jolly Jungle is about connection. The founders hope that all the children who come here will feel excitement and imagination, while their parents can feel relaxed, reassured and present in the space. It’s about families growing closer through shared experiences, echoing the camaraderie and resilience they themselves found during NS.
If they had to sum it all up in three words, it would be Brotherhood, Adventure and Resilience.
And in one sentence?
“Turning an NS friendship into a jungle playground filled with laughter and memories has become the most rewarding chapter of life after the Army”.
Jolly Jungle is located at SAFRA Yishun, 60 Yishun Avenue 4, Singapore 769027
SAFRA Members can enjoy 20% off for Single Hourly Pass and 10% off for 10 or 20 Hours Pass at Jolly Jungle (SAFRA Yishun).
Visit Jolly Jungle Safari | SAFRA Yishun for more information.
