In the journey of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of making a difference, there are those who are driven by a profound passion that not only fuels their ambitions, but also shapes the essence of their endeavors. These individuals are not just pursuing a career; they are living out their dreams through every action they take. Their passion manifests itself in creative and unconventional approaches to problem-solving, leading to innovative solutions that defy the status quo. Even in the face of adversity, they remain undeterred, continuously finding ways to reignite their drive. Their stories are a testament to the power of passion in turning visions into reality, and they offer invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on harnessing this passion to propel their ventures forward.
Tell us about yourself and what you’re passionate about, which led to what you’re doing now.
I am passionate about doing things differently. I am not the kind of person who will sit idly when there are better ways of doing things. I do not believe in being restricted by established norms. Instead, I believe that innovation is the path to success.
I entered the steel industry as an employee in a steel company, but as I worked there, I grew dissatisfied with the way things were done. Eventually, I felt my vision just did not align with management’s ideals, so I decided to try my own hand at it.
The rest of the industry was doing a supermarket model where customers just browse through a catalogue, pick out what they want, and buy them like purchasing groceries off a shelf. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to provide customized solutions that are tailored to customers’ needs. We were in essence selling bespoke solutions rather than the off the shelf products. This style of operation both improved customer satisfaction and were also able to get better margins on our sales.
But our business model was not the only thing that we innovated. Naturally, as a steel company, we innovated on new types of products. Besides new types of steel, we also tried to innovate in other areas, such as traceability of steel assets through RFID tags, as well as creating an online platform where buyers can purchase second hand steel materials.
Can you describe what passion in action looks like to you?
During Covid, I visited Decathlon to purchase some things and something stood out to me. Due to the pandemic, the staff had to restrict the amount of direct contact they had with the products on display. I saw them addressing this problem with a sensor on a long stick to sweep through the shelves and check on the inventory.
When I saw that, I couldn’t help but think, “Why can’t I do that for steel?” We are still using pen and paper for manual input. A sensor to sweep over the steel materials would be more efficient, so I decided to create GoTagID solution to streamline the asset management process for those within the steel industry.
(Related: The Perfect Solution)
Tell us about a time when your passion led you to pursue an unconventional approach or solution. What did this experience teach you.
I don’t believe in following the beaten path. If I did, I wouldn’t have started this company in the first place.
The tech industry is very foreign to the construction industry. For decades, the steel industry has been using the same tried and tested methods. Do they work? Certainly. Can they be better? Most definitely.
Our two innovations – GoTagID and GoListid – are, at its core, a Tech based solution. On the outset we have very little understanding of tech, but we decided to try it anyway. We tried it because we saw the merit in the idea and we genuinely believed in it.
It has now been a year since we started and GoTagID and GoListid are doing well, the teams are growing, and they are picking up steam. This taught me not to be afraid of trying new things, even if you are unfamiliar with it. What you don’t know can be learned. What is important is paying attention to the problems around you, having a good idea, believing in it, and following through on it.
How do you maintain and fuel your drive during periods of difficulty or stagnation?
I believe it is important to keep a healthy mind and body when you are going through adversity. Personally, I enjoy running and cycling, which gets the heart pumping and is something that keeps me going.
Apart from exercise, spending time with my family is another part of how I keep going. I am a father of two children and spending time with them is always something I look forward to.
Travelling to new places is also very fulfilling, especially with my family. But even for work, I head over to places off the beaten path and see things I am sure I would have never seen if not for my chosen life path.
(Related: Driven by Passion - Marcus Tan)
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs when it comes to leveraging their passion effectively?
If you have an idea, give it a shot, give it your all, and never give up. The life of an entrepreneur is hardly as glamorous as it seems from the outside. It is difficult, challenging, and at times lonely. But it is also extremely rewarding. Do something you are passionate about, try to make a difference, and solve challenges for the industry you are in.
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, always aim high and come up with solutions that will redefine the industry you’re in.
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