September 2007
In September 2007 I, voluntarily, left one of the most prestigious technology companies of our time. I gave up a salary, an apartment and a wicked vehicle that were the epitome of corporate ex-pat life. I packed a bag and travelled for over a year. I took a slow tour of the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia (Bali, Jogja), Myanmar, UK, Spain. Some countries were pleasant enough to enjoy 2nd and 3rd visits from me.
Some of my acquaintances felt I was worth nothing any more and abandoned me.
Some of my acquaintances continued to ask for money but gave me further little time and even less respect.
Some of my acquaintances turned out to be good friends and continued to give me time and respect and still never asked for money.
My family encouraged me to go with what I felt was right for me. So cool.
I held on to an idea that my corporate experience must remain of value.
Mid 2008
I returned to Malaysia with a personal objective of putting my corporate experience to good use.
I rented a room and rode a bicycle.
I established a technology oriented business concept and developed a website.
I attracted some interest and came close to engaging with a well financed new age technology company that, sadly, were only interested in extracting knowledge from me free of charge.
It was a difficult time. I questioned myself and the new direction frequently and at length. I needed a direction. Aimless travel was pleasant but harrowing too.
I was pleasantly distracted by the opportunity to crew on a 45 foot catamaran for an admirable Australian fellow who was wanting to sail his vessel through Asia and ultimately onto Europe. The friendship with the vessels owner developed and we discussed different business ideas and concepts. We came close to operating a ‘life coach’ business. Which even now is parked in the wings and, we are both convinced, could be rolled out if and when it suits us.
Autumn 2008
For a number of different reasons I came back to the technology business concept during the Autumn of 2008. I adjusted it’s standing to make it more attractive as a stand alone service to Malaysian manufacturing centres. During early 2009 I started discussions with an ex colleague of Malaysian nationality.
April 2009
In April 2009 the Malaysian colleague and I struck a business agreement and the entity called Frontier Technology Services was created and registered in Malaysia. Although still a consulting company I chose to focus on professional and executive staffing. Theatre of operations remained the advanced technology industries. Semiconductor, Silicon, Solar.
The infrastructure of documents, marketing material, database, tools and techniques were slowly developed and established until we felt ready to go to the local advanced technology market with the new offering.
Our first year saw significant interest, some assignments, a number of interviews but no appointments. We still had a lot to learn and many improvements to implement.
There was no revenue.
April 2010
Frontier Technology Services registration was renewed.
I still rent a room and ride a bicycle.
Late May 2010 we need a business bank account opened. We have our first cheque. At the bank we have to indicate our expected intial annual turnover. I offered X which, frankly, sounded nice at the time but I also remember thinking we would be lucky to achieve half of it.
November 2010
As we move toward the end of November there is a clear prospect that our X may turn out to be conservative.
We are in a marketing phase having added services, refined our techniques and upgraded our presentation.
We are adding people, gently.
We are determined to make April 2011 to March 2012 a Y year.
I have come a long way.
Out of the corporate toy soldier position to the founder of a small conservative but none the less slowly successful business.
My business partner has come even further and is more driven and innovative than I could ever have imagined 18 months ago.
To those that abandoned me. You are still welcome in my life.
To those that continued to ask for money but gave me further little time and even less respect. You are still welcome in my life but I won’t give you money any more.
To those that turned out to be good friends and continued to give me time and respect and still never asked for money. We are going to celebrate the year end together. Thank you – you are wonderful.
To my very cool family – Having your love, time and support makes me the luckiest person in the world. Your are absolutely the best! I look forward to the Spring to enjoy more precious time together.
🙂
Down The Road 