<p><img class="image_resized" style="width:100%;" src="https://blog.hiredly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/THUMBNAIL_HELLOMENTOR-1024x576.jpeg" alt="" srcset="https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/THUMBNAIL_HELLOMENTOR-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/THUMBNAIL_HELLOMENTOR-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/THUMBNAIL_HELLOMENTOR-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://blog.wobbjobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/THUMBNAIL_HELLOMENTOR.jpeg 1280w" sizes="100vw" width="1024"></p><h2>“I was the geeky gamer kid who failed subjects in school and nobody wanted to be friends with. I was the kid who got picked last in basketball.”</h2><h3>From Gamer Geek to Successful Entrepreneur</h3><p>In this episode of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2XquM47vpj8g4P5g0fBIfu">Hello Mentor</a>, Fong Wai Hong, the Chieftain and Co-founder of StoreHub shares what led him to become an accidental entrepreneur.</p><p>Fong Wai Hong’s journey is anything but conventional. From an avid gamer who once struggled with academics to becoming the co-founder of StoreHub, an omnichannel operating system for over 13,000 businesses across Southeast Asia, Wai Hong's story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.</p><h3>A Humble Start in Gaming and Entrepreneurship</h3><p>Wai Hong’s fascination with technology began early, inspired by his programmer mother and uncle. However, his school years were marked by academic struggles and a growing obsession with computer games like <i>StarCraft</i> and <i>Dota</i>. Despite these challenges, gaming taught him valuable lessons in strategy, teamwork, and communication—skills that would later shape his entrepreneurial journey.</p><p>His first venture into business was almost accidental. Helping his uncle sell products on eBay ignited a passion for e-commerce. By leveraging his skills in writing engaging product descriptions and optimizing listings, Wai Hong co-founded OzHut, scaling the business to $5 million in annual revenue.</p><h3>StoreHub’s Growth<img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/image_2025_01_23_130843513_a164b88ef8.png"></h3><p>In 2013, Wai Hong returned to Malaysia and founded StoreHub after identifying inefficiencies in retail POS systems. Starting with just two people in his apartment, StoreHub has since grown to a team of over 315 employees across Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, and Shanghai. Today, it helps small and medium-sized businesses automate their operations and scale efficiently.</p><h3>About Wai Hong</h3><p>Fong Wai Hong is Chieftain and co-founder at <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/companies/storehub?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=hello_mentor_ep3_|_how_an_ex-gaming_addict_became_an_accidental_entrepreneur_with_fong_wai_hong_of_storehub&amp;utm_content=freelancing_malaysia,_job_seeker,_job_opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">StoreHub</a>, an omnichannel operating system for over 12,000 retailers and restaurants across South East Asia.</p><p>Having grown up in Malaysia, Wai Hong would then spend 4 years in Singapore as an ASEAN Scholar before studying and living in Melbourne for the next 10 years. Upon completing his BA at the University of Melbourne, Wai Hong co-founded <a href="https://www.ozhut.com.au/">OZHut</a>, a multi-niche online retailer where he was the managing director for 5 years.</p><p>Wai Hong was also named <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/uncategorised/startupsmart-awards-2011/">Australia’s Best Young Entrepreneur in 2011 by StartupSmart</a> and was amongst Melbourne’s top 100 most influential people by The Age Newspaper that same year. Wai Hong has since spent 1.5 years living in Shanghai where he studied Mandarin and eventually returned to Malaysia in 2013 where he founded StoreHub.&nbsp;</p><h3>Lessons in Leadership and Resilience</h3><p>Wai Hong attributes much of his success to his "accidental entrepreneur" mindset—one that thrives on solving problems and adapting to challenges. His philosophy is rooted in what he calls "holy discontent," the frustration that fuels innovation and change. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Wai Hong emphasizes the importance of:</p><ul><li><strong>Identifying Your Why</strong>: Start with a meaningful purpose before diving into any venture.</li><li><strong>Building a Strong Support Network</strong>: Success often depends on the relationships you cultivate.</li><li><strong>Scaling Leadership</strong>: As StoreHub expanded, instilling core values like humility, trust, and a commitment to serving needs—not just profits—helped maintain the company’s culture and vision.</li></ul><h3>From Gaming Strategies to Business Success</h3><p>Surprisingly, gaming continues to influence Wai Hong’s leadership style. His ability to analyze situations, predict outcomes, and foster collaboration mirrors the tactics used in competitive gaming. These skills have helped him navigate the complexities of scaling StoreHub across culturally diverse markets in Southeast Asia.</p><h3>Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs</h3><p>Wai Hong’s journey offers several insights for those looking to start or grow their own businesses:</p><ol><li>Embrace failure as a learning opportunity.</li><li>Develop skills that bridge creativity and logic, such as effective communication.</li><li>Understand the importance of choosing the right business model or "vehicle" for solving problems.</li></ol><hr><h3>Hello Mentor is a podcast show that platforms raw discussions on career, ambition and success with inspiring individuals who are accomplished in their own rights.</h3><h3>Hello Mentor is hosted by <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/derektoh">Derek Toh</a>, Founder and CEO of Hiredly.</h3><h3>Check out all our episodes on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2XquM47vpj8g4P5g0fBIfu">Spotify</a> for your dose of inspiration and career advice from real people who have been there!</h3><hr><h3>If you're inspired by his story and eager to explore your own entrepreneurial journey, take the first step with Hiredly's <a href="https://hiredly.typeform.com/to/K4idZTDK?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=hello_mentor_ep3_|_how_an_ex-gaming_addict_became_an_accidental_entrepreneur_with_fong_wai_hong_of_storehub&amp;utm_content=freelancing_malaysia,_job_seeker,_job_opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Work Personality Test</strong></a>. Discover the career paths that align with your strengths and values.</h3><h3><strong>Join </strong><a href="https://my.hiredly.com/jobs?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=hello_mentor_ep3_|_how_an_ex-gaming_addict_became_an_accidental_entrepreneur_with_fong_wai_hong_of_storehub&amp;utm_content=freelancing_malaysia,_job_seeker,_job_opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Hiredly</strong></a><strong> today and uncover opportunities that empower your ambitions!</strong></h3>

<p>In this episode of Hello Mentor, Derek and entrepreneur Wai Hong talks about his journey with StoreHub and how values triumph over passion when it comes to building a successful company.</p>
