The Gatherer - Volume 8

RegTech startup Checkbox is a multi-award winning platform that is transforming regulation into software – digitalising complex regulations into automated cloud software without developer coding. But founder Evan Wong started his entrepreneurial career long before he, and his cofounders, created Checkbox. Evan recently took some time out of his busy schedule to chat to Wrays’ CEO Rob Pierce, to discuss the evolution of his startup on our podcast Pioneer. Here is a little snippet of their conversation below. Evan Wong Founder of RegTech startup Checkbox

Rob: You founded your first company Hero Education at 17 years of age. Were you always entrepreneurial growing up? Evan: Funnily enough, no. I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur and I never thought I would become an entrepreneur. I think I had the DNA embedded in me though, because at a very early age I was always thinking about how to leverage processes and scale what I was doing. At that time, I was providing tuition services to a group of people through Hero Education. But as that kind of grew, I thought how do I hire people? How do I implement processes to scale that? And I built a business organically – by accident. Rob: So, you were providing tuition services on your own for the students? Evan: That is right. It was never a plan to turn it into a business. It was never a plan for me to become an entrepreneur. However, I think it is in my nature to build things that are bigger than myself. Rob: Innate is a word I often hear when we do these podcasts. People do not set out to become something, it is within them. Could you please share a little bit more about your journey from student into business owner? Evan: I did not really move from student to business owner – I was both at the same time, which was tough. As a full-time university student, I studied law and business. I also juggled a co-create club and a martial arts demonstration performance team alongside my studies and the Hero Education tuition services I created. It was challenging but I learned very quickly is that you learn a lot by doing. At that point in my life, I wanted to expose myself to as many different things that I cared about and was passionate about. Rob: Did you do it consciously with an ultimate goal in mind – or was it more innate? Evan: It was never about the end goal for me. It was very much learning. I am a big believer in becoming the best version of yourself. People often ask me about Checkbox and where I fit in. When do I plan to exit the business? And the answer is – I honestly do not know. I am on this journey and I will exit when it makes sense to exit. At the moment, however, I am just enjoying the journey.

PIONEER – extract of interview with Checkbox founder, Evan Wong

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