#14 - Allen Lau, Wattpad | Two Small Fish Ventures. Learning Machine

How I Became...

Alan Lau, the co-founder of Wattpad, lead one of Canada's largest tech exits to Naver at $660M. She shares his journey as a recovering CEO and his transition to post-CEO life. He discusses the challenges and stress of being a CEO and the need for recovery.

Alan also reflects on his decision to start his new venture, Too Small Fish Ventures, and the focus on investing in the next frontier of computing and its applications. He dispels the myth of glamour in entrepreneurship and emphasizes the struggles and perseverance required for success. In this conversation, Allen Lau discusses the challenges of scaling a startup and the importance of learning and growth in entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

• Being a CEO is a stressful job that requires recovery.
• Transitioning to post-CEO life can provide new challenges and opportunities for growth.
• The decision to become an entrepreneur is influenced by personal experiences and family expectations.
• Scaling a company requires different skills and the ability to adapt as a leader.
• Building a successful business involves perseverance and the ability to navigate challenges.
• Monetization models can evolve over time and require balancing user experience with revenue generation.
• Integrating AI into a business can provide valuable insights and drive growth.
• Investing in the next frontier of computing and its applications can lead to innovative opportunities.
• Entrepreneurship is not glamorous and requires hard work and resilience.
• Dispelling myths for entrepreneurs can help set realistic expectations and provide guidance for success. Scaling a startup requires juggling multiple responsibilities and challenges.
• Entrepreneurship is not as glamorous as it may seem, and it involves hard work and difficult days.
• Continuous learning and growth are essential for success in entrepreneurship.