jobsDB Campus spoke to Singaporean entrepreneur Wendy Kwek, founder of Executive Directions Pte Ltd, a highly dynamic education and events organisation that provides out-of-the-box, accelerated learning and experiential training programs.
The company's mission is to touch, inspire and empower at least 10 million people's lives through providing accelerated learning, entrepreneurial and personal development programs.
Wendy, what inspired you to start Executive Directions?
Attending an Anthony Robbins seminar inspired me to start the company as there was an opportunity to market his motivational and education programme.So in 2000, a business partner and I launched the company with just fifty-two dollars, and we have been growing the company steadily since then. The main motivating factor for me becoming an entrepreneur is having the freedom to choose what I want to do, who I want to work with and what kind of environment I want to operate in.
Do you think entrepreneurs are made or born?
I do not believe that we are born to be an entrepreneur, but rather, I believe that an entrepreneurs' mindset can be learned and cultivated. The important thing is that entrepreneurs must be able to think out of the box and be keen to learn new skills and knowledge to keep improving themselves. Also, having a positive mindset is very important to help them overcome challenges and obstacles in their journey as entrepreneurs.
How can one think and perform like an entrepreneur, even if one is an employee?
An employee that works in the best interest of the company will be able to think of ways to help the company grow, and this is how they can behave like an entrepreneur. Basically, it's about making yourself more valuable to the company. An employee who performs well in a company is one who is willing to take on more than what they are supposed to do - to go the extra mile to help the company succeed.
What keeps you going?
There is a saying by Henry Ford; if you think you can or you think you cannot, you're right. If we aspire to be financially successful, we need to find out what is in the minds of people who are financially successful. For example; what do they do, think and talk about that is different.
