Interested in scaling your SME with working capital?
What’s your story?
I was born into a poor family together with a disabled younger brother; disfigured due to psoriasis at the age of 29. I have always been a misfit and have failed both in schooling and businesses.
I have all the reasons and excuses anyone can have to be depressed.
Yet I hold multiple pending patents and am the founder and CEO of a finance technology company called BizGrow, an alternative working capital provider.
I believe adversity builds character and mind-set changes destiny.
What excites you most about your industry?
Banks and financial institutes are still relying on traditional credit checks.
With the advances of technology and smart data, we have created our proprietary platform to solve a major issue for small and medium enterprises – working capital.
This means that we are finally in a position where we can make a positive impact, allowing our clients’ businesses to seize any opportunity they have with the working capital we provide, helping them to earn more money and to grow their business to a higher scale.
What’s your connection to Asia?
My grandparents eloped from China and came to Singapore.
Thanks to their love, courage and my parents, I was born in Singapore.
Firmly rooted to Singapore, I feel so blessed living in such a stable and clean country which is accessible to many opportunities and options.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore. Great variety of food, huge support for enterprises from the Government and awesome transportation to anywhere you want to go.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“If you want to grow, find a good opportunity. Today, if you want to be a great company, think about what social problem you could solve.” – Jack Ma
Who inspires you?
Jack Ma
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
How to pass down your wisdom and add value to people through publishing a book.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Nothing.
Ever since I was young, I’ve always dreamt about going back in time, daydreaming about “What Ifs” and “If Only”.
I’ve come to realize that if I did change anything in the past, I wouldn’t have become who I am today. Without my mistakes, I wouldn’t have learnt so much and become the man I am today. I wouldn’t have met all the people I now know.
How do you unwind?
I hang out with my friends and play games, talk about stuff, laugh and have fun.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Singapore Botanic Gardens.
I believe we don’t need to wait to travel to relax. If you can have peace or fun doing what you want, why wait.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling” by Frank Bettger
Shameless plug for your business:
Small businesses have always faced challenges raising capital. It’s time-consuming, demanding and discouraging. Do you know, despite spending weeks preparing tons of paperwork; 87% of applicants do not receive the full amount they need. This halts all possibilities for expansion.
Want to accelerate your growth by buying equipment, launching marketing campaigns or opening a new location?
Call us toll free at 1800 BIZGROW (1800 249-4769) or email us at [email protected] and our friendly loan specialists are here to assist you every step of the way.
BizGrow; Bridge your Gap, Grow your Business™.
How can people connect with you?
[email protected]
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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/>
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
