Khailee Ng threw a small party a few days ago and many friends were there! Haven’t seen Anthony Tan in a long time (besides some occasional text exchanges) and we had a good chat. He genuinely asked how Saltycustoms, the business, were doing. I replied truthfully, and told him that growth is challenging. With revenue numbers almost doubling last year yet there are more problems than ever. Anthony, who is no stranger to the matter then said to stay steadfast and persevere because hard work will always pay off.
Joel Neoh, founder of KFit then came by and we chatted about post KFit buying Groupon in Indonesia and Malaysia and how making its transition to Fave. Combined revenue has grown to USD xxx Million and they are facing their biggest hurdle yet; raising series B/C. This is a make or break year for them. Joel then asked about us and I told him that we are doing all that we can.
Since our last serious talk in Hong Kong almost 3 years ago, we’ve worked hard to consolidate Saltycustoms – to ensure that the company works as ONE unit rather than multiple fragments. We also have to learn how to form, norm and work with each other therefore we were focused on grouping the companies up and sticking together, hiring and honing top talent, hoping it would pay off. He didn’t respond after that besides quipping about where to go for the afterparty. But I recognised that look – his mind is certainly on overhaul thinking about the goliath challenge ahead. (The mental toughness needed for this is no laughing matter)
Amongst the mix, there stood Dato Bernard Chandran, known as the King of Fashion in Malaysia. Bernard, who happens to be a close friend’s uncle had made a name for himself intentionally in the past 2 decades. Last night I had the hour-long honour to chat with Dato’ about his trials and tribulations 50 years in the making. It was eye opening and simply amazing to see life through his lenses. Listening to epic stories on how he met his wife, building a business and serving Royalties of the world (famous for his work with Brunei and Saudi Arabia) and today, working with underprivileged schools that does not have the ability to provide basic amenities such as clean toilets for their children.
Speaking of Epic, that’s John-Son next to Dato’ (pic), Mr. Social Entrepreneur of Malaysia 2016 who’s plight is to build homes for the indigenous people in less connected places. He has had that in him ever since he graduated from his mass-comm degree and on that very day in his house he said, “King, I don’t want to do an average marketing job. I want to help people”. And ‘EPIC Homes’ was born.
Managing Partner of 500Startups, CEO of Grab, Co-Founder of Kfit and many others in a room with a combined networth of over 1B. We’ve received alot of advice and pointers from these friends over the years.
We are amongst giants. We have stood amongst them watching, learning and applying for a long time. It is now time for us be our own. To be a giant.
