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Dean Wong is the founder and CEO of MPFunds, a funded trader programme for beginner and experienced investors.
Headquartered in Singapore, MPFunds has secured $1.1 million in pre-seed funding, and is poised for expansion across key markets in the Asia Pacific region such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Thailand.
👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?
I created a platform to allow traders to have the opportunity to earn their own pocket allowance or passive income on a weekly basis.
🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?
Trading requires incredible mental strength. In 2017, I faced a significant trading loss without proper risk management that led to hospitalization due to the mental toll it took. This scary experience transformed me and ignited a deep desire to help others in the trading community.
I don't want anyone else to go through what I went through. It became my mission to create a supportive space for traders and offer resources to enhance their mental resilience.
🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?
The biggest highlight of my career so far was when I challenged my dream team to get 100 sign-ups for our first info-session event within a month. To my joy, not only did we achieve that goal in less than 2 weeks, but the event was also oversubscribed. It was an incredible feeling of success and validation, knowing that our efforts had paid off.
This achievement took on even greater significance considering our adoption of a 4-day workweek policy.
It underscored the importance of prioritizing work-life balance and promoting mental well-being within the company's culture. The success we experienced was a direct result of the efficiency and dedication demonstrated by my team.
Witnessing their enthusiasm and the positive impact we collectively made has been the most fulfilling moment of my career. It serves as a constant reminder of the transformative power of teamwork and the genuine joy that arises from achieving shared goals.
🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?
I'm absolutely thrilled about one startup trend this year—AI! It's incredible how AI can supercharge work tasks and boost efficiency.
From analyzing heaps of data to automating processes and making smart predictions, it's like having a genius partner by your side. I can't wait to see how AI revolutionizes industries and sparks innovation. It's a trend that has me buzzing with excitement!
💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?
To all those embarking on a startup journey, never allow anyone to discourage you from pursuing your dreams. It’s true that you may face numerous failures along the way, but all it takes is one moment of success to completely transform your life.
This applies equally to traders as well. Stay true to your trading style, continuously practice, and implement proper risk management. A single successful trade has the potential to change your life.
To keep myself motivated, I follow a daily checklist that serves as a reminder of my purpose:
There is a Chinese saying: '创业容易，守业难' (Entrepreneurship is easy, but sustaining a business is difficult). I adhere to these principles to remind myself of the passion and dedication I have towards what I am doing.
🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?
My entrepreneurship journey is a topic that I can talk about endlessly. From the initial spark of an idea to the business planning, market research, and developmental stage, I have experienced a roller coaster ride of challenges, triumphs, and valuable lessons.
I hope in sharing my experiences and lessons learned, it can inspire and help others who are also on their entrepreneurial paths to stay in track.
🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?
Netflix Show: Itaewon.
🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?
Kit Kat!
FYI. We’ve edited this interview for clarity.
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