Being Grateful
Here is a random, yet personal story:
I found myself alone in Singapore.
That was my first time abroad— and the first time was all by myself. I got off the plane at 9 pm and was hoping to find a hotel near Singapore American School for my SAT test the next morning. Little did I know that 1) there are no hotels in Singapore uptown; and 2) at 9 pm, unlike China, the streets were quiet, with few people outside.
I didn’t know what to do. So I just wondered around outside the school, of course unsuspiciously.
“What are you doing around here?” A security guard rightfully asked.
“Hotel — I'm looking for some place to stay for my SAT test tomorrow. At here!” I don’t remember how I answered it but pretty sure it was broken English, with full anxiety.
Just before he got a chance to ask me more questions, his wife arrived to pick him up from his work. She saw me and he told her about my comforting situation.
“So you have no place to go tonight?” She asked, concernedly.
I told her I guessed I would figure it out.
They looked at each other and said, “Come to our house — we have a boy just about the same age as you. He would love to have you as a friend!”
It was such a random kindness that to this date, I still recall clearly. And indeed, their son Vik and I still remain friends since then.
Coincidentally, I met Vik and his family in November. The month of thanksgiving.
Fast forward to now, I usually find myself go between coffee shops in SOMA and driving up/down I-280 to meet with smart and ambitious people. But, how on earth do *I* have the privilege to do so?
I was born in a small town of China and was raised by an extremely humble family. I came to this world with really nothing much given. I don’t consider myself to be the smartest but I do consider myself to be the most fortunate — I have the most supporting families, generous mentors, hard-working colleagues and wonderful people like Vik’s families who really enabled me to be who I am today.
For that, I’m forever grateful.
With today’s startup environment, it’s easy to keep an ego score card and feel entitled with a busy calendar. LPs often joke that VCs have the most ego per dollar — sadly, often times it’s true. However, there are a few extraordinary VCs that I know and respect, who truly internalize that:
it’s not about them, it’s about the entrepreneurs and it’s not about making money, it’s about taking the societal responsibility to support great founders — so that the world could be a better place.
Perhaps November is the month to take a pause and reflect.
My experience in Singapore defined part of me. And I hope by sharing this story, this random kindness, we could all extend the torch to our fellow entrepreneurs who are just like me when I first stepped outside of my comfort zone— in a strange place, alone and in need of a welcoming hand.
I know that I’m extremely lucky to be entrusted & helped by so many friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
For that, I say thank you.