Alex Tan is the co-founder of the Recommend Group, a platform where homeowners can find and hire service professionals for their home improvement, repairs, maintenance, and cleaning needs. 

They raised a $4M Series A in 2021! Oh, and by the way, they’re known as Sejasa.com in Indonesia.

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I run a home services platform in Malaysia and Indonesia for anyone to instantly book a reliable cleaner, aircon servicing, or handyman for their home, without worrying about getting overcharged or getting scammed. 

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I'm a tech guy at heart, with a side of creativity. 

I started my career as a Microsoft-certified software developer. Then I became a content director in a marketing agency. 

So I combined my love for both fields to become a tech-driven digital marketer to build and grow the Recommend Group. 

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Growing the Recommend Group into one of the largest home services platforms in Southeast Asia. 

I'm still amazed that the little project that we built by sitting around a dining table has already served over 2M homeowners in Malaysia and Indonesia. 

Every month, we process over 30K jobs worth $10M. 

Beyond serving homeowners, I'm also proud that we have made a significant impact in improving the livelihoods of tens of thousands of service professionals.

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

Like everyone else in the tech space, I am interested in the continued growth of AI and machine learning within the digital marketing and product development spaces. 

These technologies have the potential to revolutionize how we understand consumer needs, personalize experiences, and streamline operations, especially in the service industry where understanding and predicting customer needs are crucial.

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Think global but execute hyperlocal. Try to understand the customer's pain points deeply and test solutions quickly. Also, hire people smarter than you.

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

I'm naturally introverted so I don't think I could keep talking about one thing for hours. 

But I can definitely have a good conversation with anyone about automating workflows with AI since that is what I play with the most nowadays.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

I watch these old TV shows on repeat: Seinfeld, 30 Rock, The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

I am a big fan of cookies and cream. Or pistachio, as long it has real pistachios in it.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.