It has taken a while, but finally I'm here at the start.
Sometimes we are so afraid of being seen as arrogant or lacking humility that we don’t recognise ourselves - what we have done, how we have contributed, and good things we have put into motion.
This fear has followed me all this time like an invisible presence constantly breathing down my neck and whispering in my ear.
Yes, I did this and that, but inside I still felt I wasn’t good enough. Like I’m an impostor still, taking credit when it wasn’t due. It has taken me all this time to finally say, yeah. It's alright. I’m more than good enough. There is no need for me to be better than anyone else, no need to compare and compete. I’m good enough in my own way, and I did some pretty nifty stuff man.
Yesterday a friend reminded me of what I did in the gaming industry.
I was VP of Business Building in Malaysia Debt Ventures, and I worked directly in setting up the first international game studio in Malaysia by funding Codemasters UK. I went to Manchester, I saw a guy pee on the dance floor in a bar, I got really drunk and forgot where my hotel was, Maxime Villandré took care of me and took me back safely, and I became friends with good people like Eric Elms and Ash Colclough.
It is now owned by Electronic Arts, and its presence in Malaysia is expanding.
I was hired by Sony Computer Entertainment, San Diego to evaluate Malaysia and prepare a pitch to the Government of Malaysia for Sony to set-up their first international studio outside of Japan, Europe and America, in Malaysia. Guillaume de Fondaumiere, co-founder of Quantic Dreams, one of the most respected independent studios under Sony’s stable, suggested that they consider Malaysia, and recommended me to Sony to make it happen.
I recommended Hasnul Hadi Samsudin to SCEA, and Hasnul joined me in San Diego where we smelled seal poop along the sea, had massive amounts of Nespresso, hung out in video game bars and worked with awesome people like Michael Mumbauer and Toby Ow.
Now Sony Entertainment Malaysia is expanding further, it’s the best and most prestigious game development studio in Malaysia (Hasnul, you did it man. You did one heck of a job), and it has put Malaysia firmly on the map worldwide.
Then there’s what I did in the Malaysian (and Asian) airline industry with Tony Fernandes, what I did in the wireless broadband industry, what I did and am still doing in the Malaysian film industry, and what I’m doing now in the Malaysian perfumery industry.
Man, it’s insane what I have been allowed to do, and still being allowed to do. Whoever says growing up and growing older sucks is missing out on some major points.
It took me a year of driving around alone in my van, climbing up breathtaking hills and temples, sleeping in dodgy places and meeting kind strangers to finally realise and accept that there is a difference between accepting and stating your truth, and bragging by embellishing the truth.
“Assert your truth with grace” I read earlier today. Yes, that sounds like a plan.
I'm starting today, and on Malaysia Day too.
Nice. I will.
Warbaby out.
16 September 2023
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia