I had the privilege of meeting an outstanding individual, Zachary Young.
He has scaled multiple multi-million-dollar companies and continues to do so as a CEO for other businesses. What struck me most wasn’t just his track record, but the clarity with which he shared his insights.
He spoke about ambitious startups dreaming big and broke it down with a simple yet powerful analogy:
The goal is to get to China.
Do you cycle there? Sure, you’ll eventually arrive and it’s painfully inefficient.
OR do you invest a little more, maybe $600, and take a plane, reaching your destination much faster and with far more energy left to keep building?
This analogy is an eye opener to me.
It made me reflect on our own team and journey.
He also mentioned, all it takes is just one or two key decisions to shift the trajectory of a company from good to great.
I definitely need to schedule more catchups with him!!!
He has scaled multiple multi-million-dollar companies and continues to do so as a CEO for other businesses. What struck me most wasn’t just his track record, but the clarity with which he shared his insights.
He spoke about ambitious startups dreaming big and broke it down with a simple yet powerful analogy:
The goal is to get to China.
Do you cycle there? Sure, you’ll eventually arrive and it’s painfully inefficient.
OR do you invest a little more, maybe $600, and take a plane, reaching your destination much faster and with far more energy left to keep building?
This analogy is an eye opener to me.
It made me reflect on our own team and journey.
He also mentioned, all it takes is just one or two key decisions to shift the trajectory of a company from good to great.
I definitely need to schedule more catchups with him!!!
❤5
It is a culture in the company to have a 1-1 twice a month with a teammate..
So I had a 1-to-1 with someone on my team this morning, and he shared that he has yet to define what happiness means to him.
I told him, “maybe happiness doesn’t need to be defined.”
Because the moment you define happiness, you attach it to a specific moment, milestone, or achievement.
And if that’s the case, happiness becomes conditional… something you chase, rather than something you live in.
And isn’t the goal to always be happy? To make it a constant?
He asked me how I see happiness as constant?
I’ve always been an advocate on thinking simple, so I’m always grateful, no matter what happens.
Gratitude grounds me, and through it, happiness is something I carry with me all the time!
What’s your thoughts?
So I had a 1-to-1 with someone on my team this morning, and he shared that he has yet to define what happiness means to him.
I told him, “maybe happiness doesn’t need to be defined.”
Because the moment you define happiness, you attach it to a specific moment, milestone, or achievement.
And if that’s the case, happiness becomes conditional… something you chase, rather than something you live in.
And isn’t the goal to always be happy? To make it a constant?
He asked me how I see happiness as constant?
I’ve always been an advocate on thinking simple, so I’m always grateful, no matter what happens.
Gratitude grounds me, and through it, happiness is something I carry with me all the time!
What’s your thoughts?
❤6🔥2
I flew to India with one goal in mind, to learn directly from Peyush Bansal, CEO of Lenskart.
This video is a 3-part series that takes you inside the factory a full tour showing the precision, engineering, and innovation that goes into producing just ONE pair of glasses.
It was a true eye opener. Not just from the technical side, it was also from the business perspective, seeing how a tech enabled company is tackling one of the world’s biggest challenges: myopia.
(FYI, 2.6 billion people are myopic and growing. He targets to solve 1 billion and barely only leaving a dent, at 100 million. That’s an insane goal, and why I look up to Peyush.)
What inspired me most was Peyush’s vision to make eyewear affordable for everyone, while building a business that creates a global impact.
That resonates deeply with me, because at the heart of what we do, we want to create something that leaves a mark on the world. 🌍
This video is a 3-part series that takes you inside the factory a full tour showing the precision, engineering, and innovation that goes into producing just ONE pair of glasses.
It was a true eye opener. Not just from the technical side, it was also from the business perspective, seeing how a tech enabled company is tackling one of the world’s biggest challenges: myopia.
(FYI, 2.6 billion people are myopic and growing. He targets to solve 1 billion and barely only leaving a dent, at 100 million. That’s an insane goal, and why I look up to Peyush.)
What inspired me most was Peyush’s vision to make eyewear affordable for everyone, while building a business that creates a global impact.
That resonates deeply with me, because at the heart of what we do, we want to create something that leaves a mark on the world. 🌍
❤4🔥2
We are hiring in Malaysia!
Looking for a Business Analyst and a Marketing Manager!
Send your email to hiring@koocester.com
❤️❤️❤️
Looking for a Business Analyst and a Marketing Manager!
Send your email to hiring@koocester.com
❤️❤️❤️
❤2👏1
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“You have a world class team man.”
This one comment made my day.
Recently, we had the opportunity to organise events for Tony from LC Sign, and host some amazing influencers from Malaysia.
That comment came from my good friend, Malaysian influencer Hubert Lee and it meant more than he probably realised.
Why? Because it showed me that things are working. The culture we’ve built as a team isn’t just internal, it’s felt and seen by our guests and clients.
My team is a reflection of me.
When I chose to step back, hire, and train, someone told me: “Finally, you were a pawn before… now you’re the chess player. That’s how you scale.”
And today, I am proud not just of what we do, it is of how we do it!
This one comment made my day.
Recently, we had the opportunity to organise events for Tony from LC Sign, and host some amazing influencers from Malaysia.
That comment came from my good friend, Malaysian influencer Hubert Lee and it meant more than he probably realised.
Why? Because it showed me that things are working. The culture we’ve built as a team isn’t just internal, it’s felt and seen by our guests and clients.
My team is a reflection of me.
When I chose to step back, hire, and train, someone told me: “Finally, you were a pawn before… now you’re the chess player. That’s how you scale.”
And today, I am proud not just of what we do, it is of how we do it!
❤7
Recently I’ve been receiving messages like this, and to be honest, it means a lot to me.
A reason why they work beyond salary. What really matters is cultivating a sense of fulfilment and passion in the work we do together.
• Trust and Respect: Everyone’s voice matters, and no one is “just an employee.” We move as a team, shoulder to shoulder.
• Growth and Curiosity: Encourage making mistakes, being bold and daring, to learn. If they grow, the company grows.
• Shared Purpose: We’re building something bigger than ourselves, and everyone knows they’re part of that bigger picture. Cultivating a sense of belonging as well!
• Fulfilment over Money: Of course money matters, passion and meaning are what make them go the extra mile even when nobody’s watching.
Seeing them happy, motivated, and proud of what they do. Seeing their smile and laughter means the world to me.
A reason why they work beyond salary. What really matters is cultivating a sense of fulfilment and passion in the work we do together.
• Trust and Respect: Everyone’s voice matters, and no one is “just an employee.” We move as a team, shoulder to shoulder.
• Growth and Curiosity: Encourage making mistakes, being bold and daring, to learn. If they grow, the company grows.
• Shared Purpose: We’re building something bigger than ourselves, and everyone knows they’re part of that bigger picture. Cultivating a sense of belonging as well!
• Fulfilment over Money: Of course money matters, passion and meaning are what make them go the extra mile even when nobody’s watching.
Seeing them happy, motivated, and proud of what they do. Seeing their smile and laughter means the world to me.
❤5
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Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how opportunities come in the most unexpected ways.
Sometimes it can be a conversation, or even meeting someone new.
And sometimes… it’s as simple as a game.
Red Bull is running something fun right now, they’re giving KOOMUNITY members the chance to win the ultimate race weekend experience. All you have to do is play their mobile racing game between now and 23rd September, and climb the leaderboard.
This is also a reminder that growth doesn’t always have to be serious. Play can lead to possibility, and possibility can turn into something unforgettable.
If you’re up for it, give it a shot. Who knows, maybe someone from KOOMUNITY will be the one who gets to experience what I did.
https://www.redbull.com/sg-en/projects/redbullallterrainsg?
Sometimes it can be a conversation, or even meeting someone new.
And sometimes… it’s as simple as a game.
Red Bull is running something fun right now, they’re giving KOOMUNITY members the chance to win the ultimate race weekend experience. All you have to do is play their mobile racing game between now and 23rd September, and climb the leaderboard.
This is also a reminder that growth doesn’t always have to be serious. Play can lead to possibility, and possibility can turn into something unforgettable.
If you’re up for it, give it a shot. Who knows, maybe someone from KOOMUNITY will be the one who gets to experience what I did.
https://www.redbull.com/sg-en/projects/redbullallterrainsg?
❤3
Sometimes I think about the people we grow up hearing about.
The ones whose names are on books, stages, and headlines.
And yet… we rarely get the chance to sit across from them to really hear them speak, not from a script, but from experience.
This is one of those moments.
Adam Khoo has been one of the most influential voices in entrepreneurship and financial education in Singapore for years.
I will be having a fireside webinar chat with him where we go deeper into the real stories, the mindset rewiring, the doubts, the pivots, and the lessons that stuck.
This session isn’t just for entrepreneurs.
It’s for anyone trying to grow.
Anyone who’s ever wondered what comes after the first success.
Anyone who’s navigating the quiet moments behind the big wins.
This is to help better connect Koomunity. To ask better questions and to learn something we’ll carry with us long after the session ends.
This one is special to me and it might be for you too.
Register now: https://lu.ma/ti33fuvc
Limited slots only!
The ones whose names are on books, stages, and headlines.
And yet… we rarely get the chance to sit across from them to really hear them speak, not from a script, but from experience.
This is one of those moments.
Adam Khoo has been one of the most influential voices in entrepreneurship and financial education in Singapore for years.
I will be having a fireside webinar chat with him where we go deeper into the real stories, the mindset rewiring, the doubts, the pivots, and the lessons that stuck.
This session isn’t just for entrepreneurs.
It’s for anyone trying to grow.
Anyone who’s ever wondered what comes after the first success.
Anyone who’s navigating the quiet moments behind the big wins.
This is to help better connect Koomunity. To ask better questions and to learn something we’ll carry with us long after the session ends.
This one is special to me and it might be for you too.
Register now: https://lu.ma/ti33fuvc
Limited slots only!
Luma
Success Story: Adam Khoo · Luma
Our last KOOMUNITY event with C S Liew was unforgettable.
The room was packed, but more than that, it was filled with real energy, honest conversation, and a…
The room was packed, but more than that, it was filled with real energy, honest conversation, and a…
I always remember the earlier days of doing content.
When I was riding around as a delivery rider and looking at those cars on the road curious as to how one accumulate such wealth.
That was when I started asking people what they did for a living. Koocester grew from just a question and now into a business on its own.
This time, I want to pass this opportunity to someone else. We’re hiring a Video Producer in Malaysia!
You will get opportunities to interview founders, creators, and entrepreneurs who will change how you see the world while working in an environment that supports each other, and grows together.
📍 Malaysia (Hybrid Working)
💌 hiring@koocester.com
📎 CV & Portfolio required
I started with nothing but questions and curiosity. Now I’m looking for someone with that same spark and I am handing them the keys to go even further.
When I was riding around as a delivery rider and looking at those cars on the road curious as to how one accumulate such wealth.
That was when I started asking people what they did for a living. Koocester grew from just a question and now into a business on its own.
This time, I want to pass this opportunity to someone else. We’re hiring a Video Producer in Malaysia!
You will get opportunities to interview founders, creators, and entrepreneurs who will change how you see the world while working in an environment that supports each other, and grows together.
📍 Malaysia (Hybrid Working)
💌 hiring@koocester.com
📎 CV & Portfolio required
I started with nothing but questions and curiosity. Now I’m looking for someone with that same spark and I am handing them the keys to go even further.
❤6
Life’s been busy! Sorry for not updating what I’ve learnt throughout the weeks! Let me share some learnings!
I’ve been using ChatGPT to fast track learnings and implementation in my company,
Here’s the prompts that I use, and it might benefit you too!
You are my business and implementation coach.
I want to learn, study and apply the book [insert book title].
Your role is to help me:
1. Summarize the core ideas in simple, actionable language.
2. Extract the key frameworks, principles, and examples.
3. Design a step-by-step implementation plan for my team/business/community.
4. Suggest practical exercises, questions, and reflection prompts to embed the learnings.
5. Create short, motivational messages (Koomunity-style) I can share with my people to inspire action and create impact.
6. Provide accountability checklists to track progress and ensure we live the principles.
To note:
• We are a start up phase
• Our values are GUIDE.
Growth & Curiosity
Uniting through Trust and Relationships
Impact though inspiration
Dare to be Bold and Innovate
Empathy and Giving
• Our Purpose
Symbol of Inspiration, Empowering Growth. Powered by People.
Deliverables:
• Clear breakdown of the book.
• Practical action plan.
• Communication snippets for internal sharing.
• Reflection & accountability tools.
• Checklist for implementation.
Here’s the prompts that I use, and it might benefit you too!
You are my business and implementation coach.
I want to learn, study and apply the book [insert book title].
Your role is to help me:
1. Summarize the core ideas in simple, actionable language.
2. Extract the key frameworks, principles, and examples.
3. Design a step-by-step implementation plan for my team/business/community.
4. Suggest practical exercises, questions, and reflection prompts to embed the learnings.
5. Create short, motivational messages (Koomunity-style) I can share with my people to inspire action and create impact.
6. Provide accountability checklists to track progress and ensure we live the principles.
To note:
• We are a start up phase
• Our values are GUIDE.
Growth & Curiosity
Uniting through Trust and Relationships
Impact though inspiration
Dare to be Bold and Innovate
Empathy and Giving
• Our Purpose
Symbol of Inspiration, Empowering Growth. Powered by People.
Deliverables:
• Clear breakdown of the book.
• Practical action plan.
• Communication snippets for internal sharing.
• Reflection & accountability tools.
• Checklist for implementation.
❤5
It’s been insanely useful to work on projects and high leverage outputs.
It’s like instant execution of what you learnt.
Which if you know, knowing and doing is two whole DIFFERENT things!
I’ve used it on these books:
1) Build to Last
2) High Output Management
3) How to Win Friends and Influence People
Way more effective than just reading and executing after! (For me)
It’s like instant execution of what you learnt.
Which if you know, knowing and doing is two whole DIFFERENT things!
I’ve used it on these books:
1) Build to Last
2) High Output Management
3) How to Win Friends and Influence People
Way more effective than just reading and executing after! (For me)
I still am thinking about what was shared at yesterday’s event.
The Mindset Muscle.
When you deliberately put yourself into discomfort, a tough workout, learning a new skill, having a hard conversation, that part of the brain fires up.
And relating it with neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire itself), (from one of the podcasts of DOAC) it gets stronger over time.
The more you stretch it, the more resilient and adaptable you become.
Discomfort → rewiring → growth.
Where he shares the story of President Theodore going through the Badlands after the passing of his mom and wife and choosing to suffer.
The Mindset Muscle.
When you deliberately put yourself into discomfort, a tough workout, learning a new skill, having a hard conversation, that part of the brain fires up.
And relating it with neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire itself), (from one of the podcasts of DOAC) it gets stronger over time.
The more you stretch it, the more resilient and adaptable you become.
Discomfort → rewiring → growth.
Where he shares the story of President Theodore going through the Badlands after the passing of his mom and wife and choosing to suffer.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and grow by forming new connections between its cells (neurons).
It means your brain isn’t fixed it rewires itself based on what you do, think, and experience.
It is like plastic, constantly reshaping and adapting.
And for me, reflection is where growth takes root. Each reflection strengthens the pathways, turning experiences into wisdom!
Which I spend alot of time doing every day after meetings!
It means your brain isn’t fixed it rewires itself based on what you do, think, and experience.
It is like plastic, constantly reshaping and adapting.
And for me, reflection is where growth takes root. Each reflection strengthens the pathways, turning experiences into wisdom!
Which I spend alot of time doing every day after meetings!
❤2
I used to believe in not hiring friends,
Nowadays I believe the best of people are around me. This is also because I’ve changed the circle of friends who surround me.
Bad friends take the job for granted.
Good friends have more to prove and strive for.
I’m also grateful to be able to provide them a good pay that is equivalent if not more to bigger companies as a start up.
It is also due to work we travel together and have new experiences together.
Like touring chinese factories (LCSign) was one of them, and fulfilling their dreams than mine.
We strive for success together and lift each other up, building a culture of our audience’s dreams coming true, my team’s dreams coming true, and lastly, my dream coming true.
Here’s to more successes, more failures, and everything we’ll learn together on the way. ❤️
Nowadays I believe the best of people are around me. This is also because I’ve changed the circle of friends who surround me.
Bad friends take the job for granted.
Good friends have more to prove and strive for.
I’m also grateful to be able to provide them a good pay that is equivalent if not more to bigger companies as a start up.
It is also due to work we travel together and have new experiences together.
Like touring chinese factories (LCSign) was one of them, and fulfilling their dreams than mine.
We strive for success together and lift each other up, building a culture of our audience’s dreams coming true, my team’s dreams coming true, and lastly, my dream coming true.
Here’s to more successes, more failures, and everything we’ll learn together on the way. ❤️
❤20
It’s 2:29am and I remembered something that I wanted to share here..
I was talking about the mindset muscle few days ago, the brain is amazing on how it works and when we know how to utilise it, it works in so many amazing ways..
I was talking about the mindset muscle few days ago, the brain is amazing on how it works and when we know how to utilise it, it works in so many amazing ways..
1❤6
This incident really shaped me alot as a person, and it is those life changing moments you faced..
Early on in my journey, I explored Indonesia, and the way I network allows me to tap into the country’s top 1% fairly easily, and one of the methods are hanging out in luxury malls.
I was there waiting for my “gojek” and was observing behaviours of people, then I bumped into a very very beautiful lady, I asked whether she owns a business and moving forward she saw my videos before and exchanged contacts and became friends.
So we would catch up whenever I am going to Indonesia to ask how are things as I’m there to explore the market and make friends..
Early on in my journey, I explored Indonesia, and the way I network allows me to tap into the country’s top 1% fairly easily, and one of the methods are hanging out in luxury malls.
I was there waiting for my “gojek” and was observing behaviours of people, then I bumped into a very very beautiful lady, I asked whether she owns a business and moving forward she saw my videos before and exchanged contacts and became friends.
So we would catch up whenever I am going to Indonesia to ask how are things as I’m there to explore the market and make friends..
❤5
After few months, we dated, and it was lovely and she expressed interest and confessed first. (Shocking)
Then she scheduled a date to come to Singapore and I was going to pick her up except.. she sent a last minute message saying “I can’t make it, I’ll tell you later”
And I thought I was ghosted and thinking it was some kind of act, because that later became 3 days, which what happened was she got into a car accident heading to the airport.
She was warded and spammed me with pictures after.
Then she scheduled a date to come to Singapore and I was going to pick her up except.. she sent a last minute message saying “I can’t make it, I’ll tell you later”
And I thought I was ghosted and thinking it was some kind of act, because that later became 3 days, which what happened was she got into a car accident heading to the airport.
She was warded and spammed me with pictures after.
❤4
This is the life changing experience because we were in love before, and after that incident…
She forgot who I was.. and thought that we were just friends..
I couldn’t really process and I kid you not I spent most of the time bawling.. it is insane..
How can one process that?! I showed her previous conversations we had and she is still in disbelief. (Total movie moment)
I flew to Indonesia, the next day, still processing what happened..
Turns out she had a condition called pseudo dementia, and just so you know also, I lost 10 kg, within 3 days.
The state that I was in, is something I’ll never wish for it to happen to even my worst enemies…
She forgot who I was.. and thought that we were just friends..
I couldn’t really process and I kid you not I spent most of the time bawling.. it is insane..
How can one process that?! I showed her previous conversations we had and she is still in disbelief. (Total movie moment)
I flew to Indonesia, the next day, still processing what happened..
Turns out she had a condition called pseudo dementia, and just so you know also, I lost 10 kg, within 3 days.
The state that I was in, is something I’ll never wish for it to happen to even my worst enemies…
❤4