What’s your story?
I am a woman who has learned to love, appreciate and believe I have a part to play to contribute in this world to all human mankind. It is because of what I experience, I constantly evolve and shift to explore new results. I believe if I want change, it starts with me. I am a hard and determined worker; if I want something – I go make it happen with no victim story. I am accountable and responsible for the outcome. NO BLAME, it is about what I can do better, different, greater next time.
What excites you most about your industry?
The field I am in is totally crazy and new. People are starting to know about Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding, people don’t yet know about CrowdWISDOM.
It starts off with my personal belief that I CAN make a difference. Whenever the country takes steps to shift to make things better for her people – it excites me.
Just imagine; everyone has wisdom, can you visualize that the world is willing to come together to help a situation? To solve a problem? To drive a project or even to rally for change? This is exactly what I am doing to encourage, to enroll and to entice people to step forth to join this whole game changing landscape via on internet.
Calls can come from Ukraine, Africa, Sri Lanka and around Asia seeking for support or mentorship etc.
I never have to think about where I will land, I keep going….
What’s your connection to Asia?
Connections in Asia is about being true to people I work with as I have a philosophy to SERVE and no prejudice. I can deal with all level of people, simply we are human beings and I am just being human. Connections is not about just who you know on the surface and names only. Rather it is about who you know who is willing to run the extra mile with me. I believe sincerity plays a major role and I am practicing it everyday.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Asia is my playground. Favorite city is where I see the people in the city working hard to have a better life. I am a pure Asian; I can be recognized as a Malaysian, or a Thai or an Indonesian or Taiwanese – name it; I look like one…
I no longer just call myself Singaporean – I call myself Asian or Aseana.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
You either choose to be top mafia conquering the whole turf and dare for the kill without blinking, or You choose to be good right deep from your heart – from my dearest late dad when I failed my exams in secondary school and he told me whatever choices I choose, I must give my 100% best. No bargain.
Who inspires you?
Many people …
Beggars who take pride in their job and beg on the streets – it reminds me that I have lots to do to get them back on track and their kids are not going to grow up thinking begging is their only career choice.
Hawkers who serve with passion – it reminds me that I am so fortunate to have choices of food in my space and what about those who are dying of hunger; that’s makes me even more adamant to invest my every cents to promote crowdfunding, crowdsourcing to help the emerging or 3rd or 4th world countries. I started my work since 2013 in promoting Crowdfunding Asia knowing that it is a uphill task and tonnes of obstacles; but my focus was to use such tools to support all fields of concern that I can imagine to craft a compelling story to help anyone…
Single mother who was emotionally destroyed once and now standing tall for their children, making a decent living – I am one!
Obviously, surrounding me were books, inspirational speakers, motivational stories, amazing courses. The key is to continue practice practice practice.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
When I take count of my work starting from being rejected by VC’s in my business, being laughed at for my vision; I realized that I have done tremendous and things are shaping up. Taking stock from Zero to now; I have spoken in public, I conducted focus groups discussing how to drive Crowdfunding adoption. I enrolled the world renowned practitioners in the first Asia crowdfunding summit. The fear of my heavy investment may not be recuperated led me to strive even harder and in fact the first summit in 2015 was conservatively profitable. The entire years calendar is filled and the latest is to be invited to be on panel by World Bank Group in Spain “From the Crowd to the Base; Crowdfunding-enabled Climate Business for SMEs”
It was not about what I learned that blew me away, it was what I applied that blew me away. It was my undeterred belief that kept me inching closer to a real Crowdwisdom. In practice in numerous fields that I am in. It is not about me – it is about YOU, the people.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
LOVE Myself earlier…
How do you unwind?
Cooking with my favorite FM Kiss92 music for my two darlings, my son and my daughter; they are my joy and my confidante.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Thailand and Indonesia; the spread of islands and diving spots that I read about…. they are so unspoiled and so beautiful. But first, I must get my open water cert. lol or I will always be at the shore or at most snorkel . I have phobia of the sea but i am committed to overcome it.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“Execution – The discipline of Getting things DONE” by Larry Bossidy
Shameless plug for your business:
I probably got no clue cos I was simply so focus on what I need to get done
How can people connect with you?
http://www.phoenixict.biz/
Twitter handle?
@HongKwek
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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.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
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twitter.com/laingcallum
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Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
