Lily Ong discovers how the charismatic edupreneur Vishen Lakhiani connected the dots of his past to form his own belief system and a world-class company.
Vishen lakhiani is not content with being just an entrepreneur. “Someone who designs logos on Elance or builds million dollar companies can be entrepreneurs. The spectrum is too wide. What defines me is what I stand for as an individual,” says the founder of Mindvalley—an edu-tech company. Only five minutes into our chat and Vishen was already aflame with passion, telling us about what he believes is his mission on earth.
Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, he was picked on because of his appearance during his public school days. And while he admired his mother’s work as a teacher, he knew it was not feasible to pursue education as a career thanks to the state of the educational system at the time. So instead, he chose computer engineering and went on to study in the University of Michigan, where he then secured an internship at Microsoft in the United States.
“My parents were so proud of me for landing a great job. I did what society wanted, but it was not what I wanted. One day, Bill Gates invited the company’s interns to his home for a barbecue. Everyone was having fun, except me. I couldn’t bring myself to shake his hands, because I hated my job. I left eventually, because I knew I chose the wrong path,” reflects Vishen.
As he pondered over what to do next, he joined a non-profit called AIESEC, which allowed him to travel the world to foster cultural understanding between countries. Helping others rejuvenated him, although he knew he was on borrowed time. After that, he set his sights on Silicon Valley to seek his fortune. Unfortunately, this was when the dot-com bubble burst in the US.
この記事は Malaysia Tatler の September 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Malaysia Tatler の September 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
The 9-karat Charm
Nine-karat jewellery is officially in - here's why you should hop on the bandwagon, according to 'Kin
Spreading Joy
Through fashion, newly minted Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Denica Riadini-Flesch simultaneously empowers rural women and tackles environmental issues in Indonesia
Designs That Reward Observation
Ming Thein, creative director and co-founder of Ming, an independent Kuala Lumpur-based timepiece brand, talks design and inspiration
Daring Designs
From architectural marvels to playfully expressive wonders, Louis Vuitton continues to push the boundaries of High Watchmaking
Threading Wonders
Delve into the sculptural creations of the avant-garde Indian designer known for reviving bridal couture in his hometown
Defying Gravity
Kim Jones puts a spin on the Dior Oblique motif with Dior Gravity leather, redefining iconic bags, shoes and other menswear must-haves
Designer of Futures
Datuk Jimmy Choo trains the younger generation at the JCA, London Fashion Academy
Hello, Dolly!
Wesley Hilton is the founder of Borneo Doll, proudly showcasing Malaysian indigenous tribes through miniature recreations of ancient traditional costumes
Digital Sanctuary
Digital artist Chong Yan Chuah explores concepts such as techno-paganism to imagine worlds that are embedded in alternative cosmologies
One Man's Trash, Another Woman's Art
Nor Tijan's art is a vision of sustainability