1920T2 NewYorkCity/Participant Information/Wang Kang Wei

About Wang Kangwei (Ollie)

SMU email: Kwwang.2017@business.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: olliewang
Academic Year: 17
Degree: Bachelor of Business Management, Strategic Management
Applying for Subsidy: No
Fun Fact: I have competed in spartan races both locally and internationally

Why TSM New York City?

• What motivates you to join TSM?

I found the course outline for this TSM to be both interesting and relevant to my current field of work. Through this TSM, if selected, I hope to gain a better understanding of the entrepreneurship scene in NYC and at the same time equip myself with new skill sets that will enable me to help my business gain a competitive advantage. Furthermore, I have not been for a TSM before and I feel that being in one would provide me a great opportunity to interact with more students from the school of information systems.

• Why pick New York City?

I took a module called industrial policies in the European Union (EU). Through that module, I have learned that the prime reason why America generally has a greater entrepreneurship culture than the EU lies in the liberalized market economy (LME) the Americans adopted as compared to the centralized market economy (CME) that the European nations adopted. Having been to Berlin for a school trip to witness and learn about the entrepreneurship culture there, has made me even more curious to visit America to learn about their entrepreneurship culture. Therefore, this trip to NYC would enable me to gain first-hand insight into how the differences in the market economy can shape a country’s entrepreneurship environment.

Starting a business

• What types of business interest you?

I am interested in management consultancy or business development.

• What plan do you have in starting a business? (list existing business)

Currently, I have a strong interest in managing businesses that revolve around fitness and technology. Apart from being a co-operator at an F45 studio, I am currently looking at starting up a fitness related service that strives to provide customers an affordable workout.

What keeps you ticking?

Two things keep me ticking: 1) Personal goal 2) Career goal

For personal goal, being the co-owner of my own F45 franchise, I have this constant thought within me about whether I am doing the best that I can to drive sales for the business. In addition, as my parents are in their 60s, I would like to be able to support them financially as soon as possible.

While for my career goal, growing up I have always known that I have wanted to be an entrepreneur. However, I am aware of the uncertainty that comes with it and thus that keeps me ticking to find new ways to improve.