Aaron Wong Sep 2021
Episode Title:
Aaron Wong: From Changi Airport Group to Hubspot to Employee #2 at Tofu Waste Food Tech Startup to Lazada and Unboxing Videos Youtuber
Video of full episode
Episode Description:
Aaron Wong graduated from Singapore Management University with a summa cum laude in corporate communications. His first job out of university was at Changi Airport Group being a senior associate at Airport operations management, a role that was completely unrelated to what he studied. He was part of the team which successfully operationalized Changi Airport's newest passenger terminal then - Terminal 4.
Aaron then joined HubSpot as an associate customer support specialist. HubSpot is a US-listed software company for inbound marketing, sales and customer service software products.
Within a few months, he jumped at the opportunity to join SinFooTech as Marketing & Partnerships Manager and its first employee. SinFooTech is a food technology startup whose breakthrough innovation involves converting a by-product of tofu manufacture, into a first-of-its-kind soy alcoholic beverage.
Aaron then moved on to Lazada Singapore, where he was a Business Development Manager (at the time of recording this podcast episode). His role involved managing the brand and seller acquisition, seller experience, seller operations and seller incubation projects for LazMall Singapore. LazMall is the premier channel on Lazada exclusively for brands and authorized distributors.
Aaron also has a passion project / side hustle in the form of producing and putting up unboxing videos on his youtube channel ALKtech.
Background: Aaron was my direct colleague for a period of time at Lazada. Despite difference in seniority between us, I felt Aaron was punching way above his weight. I am forever grateful to his kindness and guidance in the onboarding of me to Lazada and his quality of work and contribution to the team.
Time Stamp:
01:34: Aaron’s role at Lazada Singapore (at time of recording)
21:41: One cool thing at HubSpot
37:53: What made Aaron join the food tech startup
41:14: How Aaron’s departure affect the friendship
49:36: Do employers value startup experience
58:05: Starting a YouTube channel
This podcast episode was recorded in Sep 2021.
Joining an early stage food tech startup after 2 years at Changi Airport Group (CAG)
About the host John Lim:
Currently based in Singapore, I’m a husband, father and a curious business and tech enthusiast. Bulk of my career so far has been centered around business development, technology, entrepreneurship and startups. I have made rather huge career switches across diverse and unfamiliar industries. You can learn more about my career journey here.
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Show Notes, Links and Resources:
Recommendations / Mentions of books, media, persons:
Jeff Bezos: Founder, ex-CEO and executive chairman of e-commerce giant Amazon; Owner of The Washington Post and Blue Origin, an aerospace company that is developing rockets for commercial use; one of the richest persons on the planet
Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire
The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon (John: I thoroughly enjoyed this book)
Bill Gates: Co-founder and former CEO, chairman and president of Microsoft; established Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world’s wealthiest charitable foundations
Book: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Disclosure:
Podcast is supported by its audience (i.e. you). When you purchase through links on the show notes, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Alternatively you can also show support by buying me a coffee. Thank you for supporting this podcast.
Joining and leaving the startup founded by my friend after a year - friendship affected?
Do Employers Really Value Startup Experience? From early-stage food startup to joining Lazada
Why and how I got started on my unboxing youtube channel ALKtech
