Travis Bennett: Hi everyone and welcome back to another Doerscircle Featured Doers interview. I’m here with Joseph of Learn Lab and we’re going to learn all about his business and his experience with Doerscircle.
Joseph Kuan: Hi Travis, thank you for having me here today! So basically, my business is a one-stop service. What we do is very simple - our clients are usually small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and they all only need a handful of stuff to be done as they cannot usually afford to engage every department. They usually ask us to help them source apartments, warehouses for products, and machinery that is affordable. We help with purchasing, delivering, and storage for clients.
Travis Bennett: Okay! So what are the typical clients that you look for? Is it small businesses or businesses in a certain industry?
Joseph Kuan: We have no preference on this from our end. Any business that needs our help and services can approach us. We will source the products/items/services the businesses want and give them a quotation. If they are okay with a quotation, we will go ahead with it and if not, we will try to find them another source.
Travis Bennett: Aah okay. And how long have you been doing this business? What inspired you to start this?
Joseph Kuan: Actually I was working for MNC companies like IBM and HP. I had been always been interested in supply chain management, where I can get to connect with people and know their needs. Actually, during COVID-19, a lot of firms were stressed out because business was slowing down and they felt that there was not enough manpower to help them out, also a way that costs were getting cut. I was stationed in the USA, China, and Indonesia for the past 10 years and I noticed that I could help connect all the suppliers and provide good quality services to my clients.
Travis Bennett: So that was the inspiration - being the connecting force between your suppliers and clients.
Joseph Kuan: Yes! Some of my clients also became my close friends. They also gave me a lot of ideas about what else I could do and how I could do my work better. After which, I thought, “Okay, let me go talk to my partner about this.” My company is not just run by me, it also involves another partner who has another business of his own. He has his own car rental business and he also felt that it was suffering during the pandemic. He asked me to talk to people that were coming to Singapore and required a car and I agreed. This is where the idea of a one-stop service came to us.
Travis Bennett: Okay! And what do you enjoy? Let’s compare being an entrepreneur who has his own business and working for a corporate.
Joseph Kuan: Haha, wow! That was a very common question and I ask myself this even today! I feel that working for other people is not the same nowadays. The company can discharge you anytime and see you off with a handshake, saying “Thank you for your services.” What happens after you have lost the job and you feel that you are not supported? Especially given that companies may not be hiring older people as well. So, with my expertise and my own connections, I think I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I always wanted to help businesses as much as I could and help them level up. My company is also in line with the government's objective to become a digital society, so we also have and promote our own supply chain management CRM software. So, as you asked me what are the differences I have noticed between being an entrepreneur and working for a corporate? I would say free time and having the freedom to have a lot more of our own and better ideas to provide clients with services that have value for money.
Travis Bennett: Aah okay okay! So, for everyone listening, if anyone needs any supply chain services, they can definitely reach out to you. Do you have any advice to give to people who want to become entrepreneurs themselves? What would you tell your younger self - if you were looking back? Should you be getting started faster or be careful who you are partnering with? So, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?
Joseph Kuan: This is a very tricky question! Everyone has their own ideas and way of working. But, as for me and my journey as an entrepreneur, I feel that networking is extremely important. You have to make sure you do a lot of networking and promote yourself. It’s more like branding yourself when you network. Another thing is not to be ashamed of what you are doing. It happens to all of us. Human beings are always thinking, “Oh, will my business work? Will it be successful? Will it suit the people?” You never know [the answers]. Your business may not suit one person, but that person may recommend your services to someone else, so you never know. So, my advice to younger people is:
- Do a lot of networking
- Don’t be ashamed of what you do
- Just go out and “Chiong!”
Joseph Kuan: “Chiong” essentially means, “Go all out.” Don’t worry about it. Even if there is a wall, break down the wall and go through it. I think entrepreneurship is very hard at the start, especially when you know nothing about business. There are so many things to keep track of, like accounting, registrations, government regulations, and what you can and cannot do. So, before you even start a business, you get stressed out! My advice then is, “Keep it ongoing, and don’t give up.” At the end of the tunnel, you will see the light.
Travis Bennett: That’s very good advice! I am also interested to know how you found out about us at Doerscircle and what made you want to be more involved in our community.
Joseph Kuan: Doerscircle was recommended to me by one of my clients/friends. He had been a part of Doerscircle for a number of years. He was not very active but he attended all the talks. He found it extremely interesting and thought it would be useful for my business, which is why he recommended it to me. So I came on board. I found it very interesting too, because Doerscircle puts in the effort to connect members together with courses, events, and places where they can network. I really want to advise people, especially entrepreneurs, who are on their own, to join Doerscircle. You will not regret it!
Travis Bennett: Thank you! Joseph, it has been a pleasure having you on and learning about your business, Learn Lab. We will put all the links on the Featured Doers page so anyone who wants to connect and requires help with their business can reach out to you.
Thank you for joining us!
Joseph Kuan: Thank you for having me here today!
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