From a medical life to an entrepreneurial one. Julian is on a startup journey with the launch of his new book early next year.
What’s your story?
Born in Austria 29 years ago, went to high school in the US and became a professional kiteboarder for 10 years. I studied medicine in Austria graduating in 2009/2010. After working for almost two years in the traumatology station I decided on leaving the medical field and starting my own business. Guess how happy that made my parents?
Initially in Germany we expanded to Hong Kong to get market share in Asia. After 4 successful years I did not share the same vision as my partners and we split ways. With no urge to work again I started travelling and worked on my second book, which will come in the next couple of weeks. I am still based in Hong Kong together with my girlfriend and if I am not writing, public speaking or working on my book, I am either playing basketball or kitesurfing. I am already working on a new venture (this time in the medical field) with a business partner, which will be officially launched after my book is published at the beginning of 2016.
What excites you most about your industry?
I love launching a business from the ground up. Working in a large corporation is way too rigid for me. I enjoy flexibility and the constant change of different needs in a startup environment. My old business was in the shopping and retail field, but with my new venture I want to head back into the medical field which is what I had studied originally.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I moved to Hong Kong over three years ago for business. Even though I cashed in on my share and I am not active anymore, I am still based here together with my girlfriend.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Hong Kong – that’s where I live. I love and hate the city at the same time, but the doorway between the western to the eastern world makes it a business heaven
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Julian, you are the smartest person in the room. Until you change that, you won’t succeed as an entrepreneur!”. It reminded me to work a lot more on, “the law of you being the average of the five people around you”.
Who inspires you?
Elon Musk – never taking, no, for an answer, attracting great talent and leading three successful companies.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Wow, that’s a tough one because I read and learn a lot on a daily basis. If I had to choose one thing that I just recently learned and truly blew me away through all the value it is bringing I would have to go with using Periscope effectively. I think the live video broadcasting tools will mark a new social media revolution in the upcoming years.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Learning to raise money earlier. I could have started to execute my own ideas earlier in life.
How do you unwind?
Playing basketball or going kitesurfing, depending on whether I am in a city or close to a beach.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Bali – great surf, awesome weather, calming energy.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Steve Jobs Biography by Walter Isaacson. I believe in learning from other people, and Steve Jobs is a prime example who you can learn from as an entrepreneur. Walter Isaacson described his life in the most impressive way possible.
Shameless plug for your business:
I am about to release my next book “25 Stories I would tell my Younger Self” in the next few weeks and if you are interested to stay up to date and get an early bird deal, head over to www.JulianHospCoaching.com and put in your email there.
How can people connect with you?
Best via Facebook: www.facebook.com/julianhosp
Twitter handle?
@julianhosp
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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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