Ian Myers isn’t here to give you startup hacks—he’s here to tell the truth.

At just 26, he became a CEO. By 30, he’d built Oceans, a $10 million agency connecting skilled professionals in Sri Lanka with U.S. startups. But his story isn’t a straight line—it’s an open map. From literature to venture capital, Japan to New York, success and failure, Ian has treated life like a Tintin adventure: follow the clues, embrace the chaos, and keep going.

In this conversation, we dig into what really fuels a global entrepreneur—from Buddhist philosophy to a bias for action—and how Ian’s building a future-of-work company that’s human-first, not hype-driven. For anyone rethinking college, career paths, or the AI takeover, Ian offers something rarer than advice: perspective.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

Tintin Over Tech Bros: Why Curiosity Beats Calculation

“My role model isn’t Musk or Zuck—it’s Tintin. He’s fearless, inquisitive, and always exploring something new.”

Zen and the Founder’s Mind

“Buddhism taught me how to stay grounded through chaos. That mindset shaped how I lead.”

LinkedIn Paralysis Is Real. Here’s What to Do Instead.

“People tell me, ‘My classmate’s a VP already—I’ve failed.’ That thinking’s toxic. Just follow what’s interesting.”

Ageism, Across Borders

“In Japan, your age trumps your ideas. It pushed me toward entrepreneurship.”

Oceans: Talent Without Borders

“We embed Sri Lankan professionals into U.S. startups—not as temps, but as core team members.”

AI, Hype, and the Reality Check

“Yes, AI is impressive. But like every tech wave, adoption will take longer than people think.”

The Diversity Dilemma: Who Gets a Seat at the (Remote) Table?

“We’ve turned down clients who wanted ‘an attractive female EA.’ We hire for skill, not stereotypes.”

Don’t Overplot Your Life.

“The world’s chaotic. You won’t chart a perfect course. Just keep moving—and recalibrate as you go.”

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Ian Myers

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