SEA of Startups

This week we are joined by Henry Tye of Big Domain, which is a domain registrar that also provides web hosting, web design, SEO services, and several other related services to launch and run a website.

This was a great conversation to discuss where we go through the process that led him to launch his business and the experience of a second time founder.  We talk about the rigors of making it through a cohort of Founder Institute.  We wrap up by digging into the evolution of the business and the view toward the future.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Henry Tye. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Henry Tye:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrytye/

• Big Domain:  https://bigdomain.my/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:35] The origins of building a business, selling that business, and starting a new one.

[13:00] Focusing on making the tech side of online as easy as possible

[16:25] Taking time to research the market

[21:10] The value of joining Founder Institute after prior exit and still climbing the learning curve

[31:35] Changes in the market landscape and view forward

[42:34] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by serial entrepreneur Charles Tang of Instant eStore, which is an All-In-One Ecommerce Solution serving thousands of clients.

This was a great conversation with serial entrepreneur and early pioneer of ecommerce in Malaysia, Charles Tang.  We discussed how he started the business and scaled in the early days.  We touch on the evolution of ecommerce and the need to be omni-channel.  We wrap up with some forward looking thoughts on the future on online commerce and where the metaverse fits it.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Charles Tang. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Charles Tang:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlestang77/

• Instant eStore:  https://instantestore.com/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:28] The origins of entrepreneurship from accidental to online stores

[8:17] Acquiring the first customers

[12:56] Early days of e-commerce with global reach

[15:50] Product evolution as e-commerce has exploded

[22:41] Marketplace platforms vs independent websites

[28:40] Key features of an all-in-one solution

[31:36] Is metaverse the next move for ecommerce?

[44:10] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Kelvyn Chuah of SINEGY, which is a digital asset exchange based in Malaysia, one of only 4 registered with the Securities Commission.

This was a great conversation to discuss how Kelvyn launched a crypto exchange in Malaysia and navigated the regulatory process.  We touch on the market perceptions and getting broader adoption.  Inevitably, we make mentions of FTX, but circle back to what it means for SINEGY.  A great conversation in a growing market.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Kelvyn Chuah. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Kelvyn Chuah:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvynchuah/

• SINEGY:  https://sinegy.com/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:25] The origins of launching a digital asset exchange after a background working finance in NYC

[7:11] Navigating regulations in the early days of crypto

[16:35] Trustee requirement and custody

[18:57] Acquiring users towards the exchange platform

[21:20] Changing negative perceptions and getting broader adoption

[33:06] Unavoidable conversation on FTX

[35:52] The future of SINEGY

[41:24] Defining the success factors for the organization

[42:53] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Howie Chang of Forward School, which is equipping aspiring students and tech professionals with industry-ready skills required for the fast-moving tech sector.

This was a great conversation to discuss how Howie came to launch an education focused startup.  We talk about building a curriculum and getting accreditation.  We then move onto scaling the business.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Howie Chang. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Howie Chang:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/howiechang/

• Forward School:  https://www.forwardschool.co/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:47] Catching the entrepreneur bug from working in startups like Viki.com

[8:15] Starting an education program

[11:02] Going through the accreditation process

[15:07] Building a curriculum and syllabus

[21:13] Financing options and corporate scholarships

[31:15] Replicating the model in additional markets

[34:52] Success metrics on outcomes

[37:10] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

We launched SEA of Startups with the intent of highlighting great entrepreneurs and their stories. In the short few months, I think we have accomplished that goal.

In this episode, we highlight excerpts of lessons extracted from three episodes that give a taste of the operational insight that comes from these stories.

Please take the time and go back through the prior interviews we have done over the course of this year. Without a doubt, we have had some incredible guests and look forward to bringing you more in 2023.

As always, if you have an idea for a guest or a show you can contact me directly.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Azran Osman-Rani of Naluri, which provides an integrated digital care solution that combines support for physical and mental health.

This was a great conversation with serial entrepreneur Azran.  We talk about the localization experience at iFlix and how this combined with his own family experience with health to create the idea for Naluri. He discusses the process of validating the product, utilizing feedback, and replicating the model internationally.  There are tons of practical lessons to take away from a serial entrepreneur.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Azran Osman-Rani. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Azran Osman-Rani:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/azranosmanrani/

• Naluri:  https://www.naluri.life/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[0:24] A third time building a venture from an airline to iFlix to Naluri.

[3:40] The fundraising experience with 12 total funding rounds across all prior experience.

[4:56] Validating the idea and building an MVP

[10:59] Testing the go-to-market strategy by learning from customers

[13:57] Product development keeping pace with GTM learnings

[18:21] Using technology to increase the productivity of live help on demand

[20:40] Replicating the model into international markets

[29:36] Defining success as an organization

[36:09] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Pennie Homa of Homa2U, which is an online to offline (O2O) building materials and interior finishes marketplace supplied from brand new items through to unused construction materials, discarded, and overstock markets.

This was a great conversation where we talk about the industry background Pennie had before launching Homa2U.  We discuss the wastage problem that exists in construction because of the standard practice of having safety stock.  We close the conversation discussing the types of customers and how technology can reduce the wastage and give these products second life.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Pennie Homa. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Pennie Homa:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennie-homa/

• Homa2U:  https://www.homa2u.com/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[0:36] From a family business background to launching a startup

[4:30] Overstock in construction is a serious waste problem

[9:56] Managing the resale process

[14:10] The typical customer profile

[20:40] Planning required for an expansion to Singapore

[28:36] Defining success as an organization

[31:23] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Alvin Yuan of HealthMetrics, which has designed a unified health benefits platform to manage, measure, and improve the employee benefits strategy.

This was a great conversation where discuss the initial MVP and go to market strategy and how they navigated regulations.  We discuss how some network effects in the market aided their growth.  We wrap things up with some forward looking thoughts on the organization.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Alvin Yuan. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Alvin Yuan:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin--yuan/

• HealthMetrics:  https://healthmetrics.com/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

—

In this episode, we cover:

[1:15] A background in healthcare meets chance

[3:32] Building an MVP, going out to market, and navigating regulation

[8:42] First steps towards service providers, corporates and insurers

[12:18] From sales led to network effects in the growth motion

[17:20] Importance of the breadth in scope of service providers

[20:52] Trigger point for replicating to a new market

[25:20] Building a team to manage a scaling business

[31:51] Defining success as an organization

[36:12] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Arif Tukiman of RunCloud, which is a leading cloud control panel that is simplifying cloud, doing away with the difficulties of cloud management, and bringing simplicity, to return focus on business performance.

This was a great conversation as we go from the early days of experiencing the problem firsthand when he ran a web development agency.  Then building that product and finding a market fit that quickly went global through community engagement and a customer centric focus.  We touch on team building and what the future holds for them.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Arif Tukiman. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Arif Tukiman:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariftukiman/

• RunCloud:  https://runcloud.io/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:20] Origin with experiencing the problem at their own web development agency

[7:12] Customer focus and product led growth built from active community engagement

[13:10] Recognizing the target audience and doubling down with more community engagement

[18:47] Customer-centric focus driving product development

[24:47] Key differentiator of Runcloud

[31:12] Building an engineer heavy team while fending off poaching

[37:20] Defining success as an organization

[42:05] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com

This week we are joined by Derek Toh of Hiredly, which is a a leading online to offline recruitment platform for junior to mid-management talent, including both a job portal and headhunter recruiter solution.

This was a great conversation where we go from Derek’s time as a headhunter to his realization of the importance of information beyond the job description and beyond the CV.  We talk about scaling the two sides of the marketplace and what the typical job postings are.  We wrap things up by talking about their future plans and a bit about the outlook for remote vs hybrid vs in-office.

I’d love to know what you took away from this conversation with Derek Toh. If you’d like to be considered as a guest or have someone that you’d like to hear me speak to, drop me a message.

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Where to find Derek Toh:

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/derektoh/

• Hiredly:  https://my.hiredly.com/

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Where to hear more from The Indelible VC:

• Newsletter: https://insights.indelible.vc

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndelibleVc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrockland/

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In this episode, we cover:

[01:20] Working as a headhunter leads to a “how to do it better” moment

[6:30] Going beyond the Job Description by showcasing company culture, including a video content layer

[13:40] Going beyond the applicant’s CV

[15:38] From online recruiting moving to offline headhunting

[18:40] The supply of applicants and demand of job postings, who are they and where do they come from

[27:02] What comes next for Hiredly?

[28:42] Post-pandemic impact on remote, hybrid, or in-office on hiring

[34:25] Defining success as an organization

[37:17] Closing questions

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seaofstartups.substack.com