When I first moved to Bangkok 13 years ago, Graham was one of the expats I was introduced to as someone who had ‘made it’. Been great to see how his business interests have grown over the years and his constant support of expat business owners.
What’s your story?
Entrepreneur with over 25 years experience in Asia enjoying the creativeness & high energy associated with various & unrelated start-ups including manufacturing (sports & military composite products), barter trade exchange, restaurant franchising & several technology solutions.
What excites you most about your industry?
Startups in a new business sector because learning is the fuel of life for me.
What’s your connection to Asia?
Lived and worked in Asia for more than 30 years. Started out in Kaoshung, Taiwan then spent most of 28 years in Thailand.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
My biassed answer would be Bangkok because of my network here but the entrepreneurial spirit here runs deep!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
First & only boss ever told me “to run the business like it was my own & one day it would be”
Who inspires you?
Guy Kawasaki – I watch his “Art of the Start” prior to any new venture !
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Was judging a university moot business plan competition that sparked the solution to a 5 year old deal breaker for a new business concept that I am now working full steam on.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Better and more impartial planning before committing to new start ups.
How do you unwind?
Reading fiction to let my mind escape from thinking and/or travelling the world with my Danish dice playing friends.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
My Bangsaen golf/beach condo because it’s only an hour from Bangkok but in an other and most relaxing and quiet world.
Everyone in business should read this book:
The Goal (1984), by Eliyahu Goldratt
Shameless plug for your business:
Entrepreneur with over 25 years with various & unrelated start-ups including manufacturing (sports & military composite products), barter trade exchange, restaurant franchising & several technology solutions. Obex – Out of Box Experience!
How can people connect with you?
Google “Graham”, “Brain” “Thailand” and/or go to my personal website www.obex.co
Twitter handle?
GrahamBrain
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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