In 2017, Jegathesan Thanabal established Maddox, a data management solutions provider specialising in helping businesses experience seamless data management and securing their data.
What’s your story?
Back in University at Nanyang Business School where I majored in Marketing, I never expected to be a part of the Data Security Industry. I started my career in the Branding Industry, learning how to paint businesses in Singapore in a new light and creating their niche in this fast moving market.
Following that, an opportunity presented itself to delve into the data security industry. Although it was an entirely new field, it was a natural union for me as I was tasked to take a highly technical product and penetrate a market that required it to stand out from its competitors both technically and aesthetically.
Fast forward and with the help of our partners and investors, we established Maddox Technologies last year and are a team of 5 now. We aim to address the emerging issues in the data security industry and add value by understanding how we can solve these issues with our solutions in the digital workspace arena by allowing you to work from anywhere, anytime, using any device yet achieving your highest security levels.
What excites you most about your industry?
Every day is a new challenge as this industry attracts technology from all over the world to solve various aspects in the Data and Cyber Security space. It forces us to always be on our feet, watching, listening and learning about new issues and how we have to adapt to solving them. Exciting times as Singapore spearheads this in the region!
What’s your connection to Asia?
Asia is simply, home and where I see myself developing a future at for both my families at work and at home.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
This question is definitely tough. Singapore would be my favorite simply because of the unique challenges it brings in business in terms of speed and penetrating an industry driven by Goliaths. And the push by the government in this space makes it all the more exciting to navigate in.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Whatever it takes” was the mantra I was taught by my then-boss Carrie Liauw of Tabula Rasa, who is now running her own amazing events business in Singapore. That advice taught me that there were no excuses why something couldn’t be done if you just put your mind and heart into it and which still resonates with the work I do today.
Who inspires you?
The everyday man you see working their butts off to reach a certain goal. It just puts things into perspective that we should continue to make a dent in the world at whatever we are pursuing.
What have you just learned recently that blew you away?
Recently, I learned about the rapid speed at which innovation is driven in other countries such as China and India. It also gave me a chance to step back to see how much we have evolved in Singapore yet there is much to learn from others in not being complacent and continuing our pursuit to differentiate ourselves.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Perhaps, to have used my natural curiosity to have learned about the issues in the world and seeing how I could have contributed to moving it a step ahead each day.
How do you unwind?
I workout regularly and spend quality time with my loved ones and friends. That is important to me.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
When it comes to a favorite Asian destination, it has to be Japan for its food, culture and the people.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Market Wizards by Jack D. Schwager. Great for understanding the mental tenacity needed by people to achieve great things.
Shameless plug for your business:
Maddox Technologies is a Data Management & Security business that aims to allow businesses to experience seamless data management in a highly secure environment.
How can people connect with you?
Website: https://www.maddox.sg/
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maddox-technologies/
Personal Linkedin: https://goo.gl/sTJfNC
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connect’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started,
built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder of The Marketing Group PLC. He is the author two best selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’ and ‘Agglomerate’.
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Download free copies of his books here: www.callumlaing.com
