I have successfully guided numerous professionals into the tech industry, with over 80% of them securing jobs at top tech companies

In one line, what do you do and what is your most significant achievement?

I have successfully guided and placed numerous mid-career professionals into the tech industry, with over 80% of my first batch of students securing jobs at top tech companies, showcasing his remarkable impact and effectiveness.

Who are you and what business did you start?

I am Daylon Soh and the founder of CuriousCore Pte. Ltd., an education company that focuses on helping mid-career professionals transition into the tech industry and secure jobs at tech companies.

What's your backstory?

Early on in my career, I made the decision to pursue entrepreneurship. The desire to start my own business and be my own boss was something I had always held. At the age of 24, I ventured into e-commerce and ran an agency, catering to clients such as Singpost and WSH Singapore. However, I soon realized that the business wasn't generating sufficient income, so I returned to the corporate world.

In 2019, just before the onset of COVID, I returned from a sabbatical abroad, intending to find a suitable job. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a position that met my expectations. However, teaching opportunities presented themselves quite easily. I was approached to teach at universities like SIT and private institutes. Intrigued, I decided to give it a shot and forge a career in teaching. Initially, I anticipated building this venture on my own.

When the pandemic struck, many students expressed their desire to enter the industry but faced the obstacle of lacking practical experience. They had only learned theory in schools and lacked the necessary career skills and support to make a successful transition. They still struggled with feelings of being an imposter. This realization prompted me to develop a program to assist them. It dawned on me that this program had the potential to help a larger number of people, and that's how the business took off. Today, it serves as one of our primary revenue streams.

What should be the first steps to take to enter your industry?

I believe in the importance of choosing the right market, conducting user or customer research to minimize assumptions, and learning how to effectively sell the product. This includes conducting thorough market research to identify potential markets that are growing or have a high demand for tech-related education and training. Look for gaps or opportunities where your business can offer unique value.

Also, focus on delivering high-quality instruction. Hire experienced instructors who are knowledgeable in the tech industry and can effectively communicate complex concepts. Continuously evaluate and improve your teaching methods to enhance the learning experience for your students.

How did you spend your First 100 Days of launching your business?

I engaged in conversations with hiring managers to gain insight into their challenges and pain points. This process revealed an unaddressed and poorly resolved gap in the market. Initially, my customers were individuals who were already familiar with me. As they experienced success through my course, they began recommending it to their friends. To further promote our business, we launched Facebook ads and conducted our own marketing campaigns. We made the most of my existing network to maximize our resources and get started.

To support the cash flow of the business, we obtained loans from the bank. The initial loan we secured was around $10,000, which provided some relief to the cash flow situation. Subsequently, we acquired another loan of $100,000, resulting in a threefold expansion of the business. More recently, we took out an additional loan to facilitate the growth and expansion of the business.

Regarding hiring, in the initial year, it was just me handling everything. However, with the implementation of the SGUnited scheme, I had the opportunity to recruit fresh graduates, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID pandemic. As a result, we have grown into a team of seven full-time employees.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain partnerships/customers?

Firstly, We focused on developing unique programs and continuously improving them based on customer feedback may have helped attract and retain partnerships/customers. Secondly, the customer-centric approach of actively listening to customer feedback and making adjustments to the program suggests a commitment to customer satisfaction and retention. Lastly, We emphasised building trust with clients through the consistent presence and work played a role in attracting and retaining partnerships/customers.

What has taken you from 0 to 100?

We achieved success in the business through key moments such as setting a revenue goal of $220,000, experiencing enrollment growth from six to twelve students, and gaining the trust of a sceptical client, SGCarMart. Setting a higher revenue goal helped us focus on generating substantial income, while the increase in enrollment indicated the business's potential for success.

What is one underrated thing in your industry that business owners should start doing/using?

The importance of continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. This could involve attending relevant conferences, workshops, or webinars, reading industry publications, or networking with peers. By staying informed and adapting to changes in the industry, business owners can gain a competitive edge and identify new opportunities for growth.

What was one failure you had to go through that others in your industry should look out for?

Not really a failure but I did feel very worried when I took a $100,000 loan from DBS when our business was only earning about $150,000 a year. This experience highlighted the importance of managing finances carefully and avoiding taking on too much debt too quickly. Business owners should be cautious when taking on loans and ensure that they have a solid plan for repaying the debt. Additionally, it is important to have a clear understanding of the financial health of the business and to regularly monitor cash flow to avoid financial difficulties.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

Too many to list them all down but we used some LMS tools, CRM softwares and other social media marketing tools. Google suite has been our bread and butter software and recently Monday.com has gotten our sales and marketing team really productive.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

Over the next five years, we have definite plans for expansion within the APAC and MENA region. In the next one to two years, our focus will be on strengthening our presence in Singapore and Malaysia. We have recently established a Sdn Bhd entity in Malaysia and may look at partners for other markets. We believe in a localised go-to-market strategy while suitably managing our risk exposure with grants and research..

Afterwards, our goal is to extend our reach to promising markets in the region that exhibit either lower quality of education or a rapidly growing tech industry.