On Dreams and Reality
It was never a question of how long it would last or if I could make it—rather, it was about what I wanted for myself then and my future self. Was it what I dreamed of or envisioned it to be? No. Did I achieve what I hoped to achieve? No. Do I have any regrets? No. Would I change anything in the course of the past 20 years if I had the chance to do so? Of course.
Finding My Own Path
It was never my dream to run my own company to begin with. Finding people who share the same mindset and principles has always been the challenge. I set out never seeing myself as an entrepreneur. I just wanted to do what I love to do, doing it the way I want, and to a large extent, I achieved it. Living a life where I get to set my own rules and share what I believe with like-minded people, companies, and clients. I learned to prioritise and embrace the reality that there are jobs that feed my soul and jobs that feed my rice bowl. Finding a balance is always hard, but not impossible.
The Leap of Faith
It took me less than a week from the moment the thought of going on my own crossed my mind to tendering my resignation. I didn’t waste any time. I was feeling restless and felt my capabilities and talent were under-utilised. I already had the name I wanted to use for the company. I didn’t think it was impulsive. Risk. Having chosen to leave my family at 25 to live on my own and at 30 when I set up the company, risk is nothing new to me. In the course of 20 years, many risks have been taken, but what’s life without them?
Twenty years taught me this: balance isn’t found between passion and pragmatism—it’s built, one deliberate choice at a time.
Two Decades of Transformation
The global landscape—from various industries, cultures, and societies to design, technology, and the way people work—has changed tremendously in the last 20 years. I owe it to and thank my curious self for consistently catching up with all these changes, along with the latest trends that come and go. I never grew tired of it all.
The AI Revolution
It’s becoming increasingly exciting with AI, with its rapid adoption and phenomenal growth in just two short years. The internet has grown old, and AI has come to bring back the excitement of when the internet first arrived. For someone who wears many hats, AI is not only a godsend (ironically speaking) but is redefining my independence and how I approach my work and life.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
The adage rings true—the only constant is change. And with change comes challenges. I learned humbly from the challenges I overcame and learned thankfully from those where I failed. The next 20 years are going to give rise to a new kind of change we’ve never seen before, thanks to AI. Unpredictability abounds. I can choose to sit and watch or take action in my own way. And that, my friends, is my cue to tell you that my presence on this platform is going to increase more than ever before compared to the last 20 years.
I’ve been relatively passive here for too long, aside from some occasional, random posts. In the coming days, weeks, and months, expect to hear more from me, starting with a curation of thoughts that have tickled my brain. From time to time, I shall share some of the works I’ve done before. Some of which may come as a surprise.
Change is coming, so let’s not wait.
