Clement is focused on creating products that can bring parents and kids to enjoy more offline time together through family-friendly activities.
What’s your story?
It’s been 7 years since I joined the online marketing scene, I started when I was 20. I did mainly affiliate marketing and ecommerce and had been into diverse niches. I remember receiving commissions for promoting major dating companies such as match.com, I have tried selling cool gadgets online, and there was even once when I was selling adult novelty products online too!
It was a tough journey and it can be damaging to one’s self-esteem if one is not mindful enough. I had to learn it the hard way that my self-worth is not my net-worth, thanks to my failures. I’m now on my latest venture of launching my first book on Kickstarter in the children’s book category. Ah, I love (and hate) entrepreneurship.
What excites you most about your industry?
I would consider us as an e-commerce and semi-publishing company. It’s exciting because e-commerce is exploding now. You can see that from the huge growth of Amazon. Anyone can now build a successful brand and become very successful through ecommerce if they do it right and are consistent enough. The publishing industry is changing rapidly. Gone were the days when one can only publish a book via a huge publisher. Today, anyone can self-publish a book through Amazon or crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter. The risks are low and the opportunities are endless.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born in a tiny country called Singapore, a country with very diverse cultures. We have great food and clean streets, you’ll love everything here (except the heat).
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
My biased-self is going with Singapore! Opportunities here are abundant as the world sees Singapore as a business hub due to our country’s geographical location and general social
security. I consider myself very lucky to be raised up here.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Follow your heart.” It sounds cliché, but clichés are clichés for a reason. In my delusional opinion, many people do not understand (including myself, I’m still learning everyday) the wisdom of this quote. When we tap into the core of our psyche which initially created us (love), amazing things happen. It is my note of guiding light.
Who inspires you?
My dad. He fought a divorce, cancer, and me (lol- my narcissistic self tells me that I was one of the most difficult kid to deal with), and yet he is always so generous. He is the kindest and most compassionate man I know. His values inspire me and my passion. And he’s a great entrepreneur too! He’s retired now and has some passive income from investments in property and stocks.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
It was this guy named Miguicho, who was featured in a Nas Daily video. He blew me away. He had a tough life. His mother died, he went to jail, spent 12 years as an alcoholic, got stranded on the boat for 77 days and survived, and didn’t receive an education. He only started learning how to read at the age of 52. He also collected over 700,000 cigarette butts and created artistic structures out of them. He’s now 69 and in his best shape. He reminds me to go back to gratitude when life gets tough. Watch the video.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t change a thing. My experiences shape who I am today. Me from the parallel universe would agree! But if time travel is realistic, I would have gone back to tell my younger self that it is ok to fail, don’t beat up yourself.
How do you unwind?
I workout, meditate, journal, or travel. These activities stimulate me physically, mentally, and spiritually. I think entrepreneurs need to keep these states in check to be successful in the long run!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
This is such a tough question! I love Cebu (Philippines) and Japan, but if I can only choose one (which I hate to), I’ll go with Japan. Everything there is nice. The people, the weather, the food, and the culture. It’s insane.
Everyone in business should read this book:
To be honest, I haven’t read a ton of books. I get my knowledge through listening to a ton of podcasts, reading online articles (that I perceive to be credible, of course), and doing. If I were to choose one podcast that inspired me to do what I’m doing today, it’ll be Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn. Pat interviews many normal people who became successful from starting their own businesses from home. I love his interviews because they are very diverse and relatable.
Shameless plug for your business:
Our brand (Color Kitsune) just launched our first product on Kickstarter, which is the first adult and children’s coloring book (titled ‘Shapeshift’) that is specially designed to connect parents (or grandparents) with kids.
You can check out our Kickstarter campaign here (don’t forget to support us ;))
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/colorkitsune/shapeshift-the-first-adult-and-childrens-coloring
We’re focused on creating products that can bring parents and kids to enjoy more intentional, present, and offline time together through family-friendly activities. We are living in a more connected world (with digitalization) but ironically becoming less connected with each other. Color Kitsune wants to address that, with love.
How can people connect with you?
You can reach me at my email: [email protected] (business)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/colorkitsune
Instagram: www.instagram.com/colorkitsune
Website: Colorkitsune.com
Twitter handle?
@color_kitsune
—
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
