Interview with Founder of Penn Olson, Willis Wee
What is Penn Olson?
If you are a tech enthusiast constantly hunting for tech/start-up related stories based in Asia, it is impossible not to stumble across the blog: Penn Olson (PO). From Alexa's standpoint, P.O. stands as 24,915th website globally, with major readership from U.S.A. I am fortunate to have Willis Wee, P.O.'s founder and curator of this project, which started out as a blog. Let's hear his story:
You are based in Singapore, can you tell us a little bit more about your beginnings?
I was born in a poor and divorced family. It was tough but that made me stronger too. In my elementary school days, I sold things from grasshoppers, action figures to trading cards. My elder brother and I had no money so that was how we survived. I started my first real business at age 19. It was a tuition agency which expanded into a teaching center where we got over a hundred students into our premises. It was profitable within six months of operation but I left after five years to learn more about other businesses. Somehow i got in touch with the Web and I started blogging. In our earlier days, I was passionate about the rise of Web technology, especially Facebook, Twitter and Digg. We are now very focused on Asia because we believe we can contribute to its rising tech community.Tell us a little bit more about Penn Olson to a person who has never been to your website. What is your typical day running Penn Olson? Who are the key partners/ resources on a daily basis?
Penn Olson is a blog that authors on technology in Asia. We focus on all things Web, mobile and start-ups in Asia. In the weekdays, we cover four to six stories. two to three during weekends. Sarah, (my co founder) and I started the blog. However Sarah left about one year ago to pursue her own passion. I believe Penn Olson has potential and stayed on. Hopefully I'm right.
I'm currently the key driver. We'll be expanding really quickly in the next couple of months. Things will be much easier after I graduate. Just on more month to the end my university life.
What is your inspiration to do something like Penn Olson?
Penn Olson will be my full-time job after graduation. My parents don't understand what I'm doing. I will need to find a way to explain things. My girlfriend, Isabel, is very understanding. She reads Penn Olson too! Continued on the next page
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