POCKET SUN: RISING & SHINING
THERE’S a rising star in the world of start-ups and female-founded businesses, and her name is Pocket Sun.
At 24 years old*, Sun has already accomplished the following: Started SoGal (“a global platform to fuel the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors”); co-foundedSoGal Ventures (“the first female-led millennial venture capital firm”); made the “2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (Finance & Venture Capital)” list; and she was also named the youngest “LinkedIn 2015 Top Voices in VC & Entrepreneurship”.
When she’s not busy running her companies, organising/attending conferences, inspiring fellow millennials and earning new accolades, the University of California alum is globetrotting and giving talks (TEDx is on the agenda later this year). Also on her plate right now is SoGal’s inaugural HerStartup global competition (think Shark Tank for female founders). Giddy yet? We, like Sun, are only just getting started.
Seriously, it’s almost like this girl’s the Taylor Swift of her milieu. And so it should be said that her social media game is strong, too, keeping the rest of us apprised — and inspired — of the goings-on in her eventful #startuplife as she goes, goes, goes.
(Let’s pause to reflect on what we were notdoing in our early twenties.)
Sun and I met on two occasions. The first meeting was brief, but the eloquent young lady left an indelible impression right off the bat. (Having a memorable name helps — The Artist Formerly Known As Prince? Lady Gaga? Gary Pepper Girl? You get the idea.)
Born and raised in China, Sun speaks fluent English with a soothing lilt. Her voice is soft, gentle, but assured and confident. She thinks and talks with efficacy, as if all the right words are at her beck and call. There’s a maturity and sensibility about her that’s beyond her years. She’s au fait with topics pertaining to female empowerment, venture capital, start-ups, cross-border businesses, entrepreneurship education — topics she frequently speaks about — and she shares what she knows generously. She asks you what you do, and why, and listens earnestly to understand your challenges before offering her advice, sometimes in the form of questions so you’ll find your own answer. Mark of a leader: Check.
(Really? She’s 24?)
We had our second encounter months later. It was the day of our photo shoot for this interview. She had arrived at our location atWorkcentral just a few minutes late and with a new short bob. It was raining. She messaged ahead to warn me. Polite: ✔️ Professional: ✔️
This time, we chatted about her latest project, the HerStartup competition, in which finalists will be invited to an exclusive week-long bootcamp in Silicon Valley to compete before some of the world’s best VCs. “You should join!” she chirps. Just like that, she turned the conversation, once again, to me and Wear Oh Where. You could almost hear the pinwheels of her entrepreneurial mind spinning.
The thing is, all her achievements notwithstanding, what truly makes Sun a shining role model to her generation are qualities so widely debated (see here, here andhere) to be lacking, or worse, missing, in millennials: Hard work, humility, perseverance, a genuine desire to help others, and her ability and willingness to listen. But not without a proper dose of Millennial-ness — work-smart, self-confidence, fearlessness, energy, creativity and the necessary self-branding — to make her a very special blend.
Can you recall the moment you knew you wanted to start SoGal?
Pocket Sun: It was not a specific moment. I was two months into my entrepreneurship master’s program at the University of Southern California when I realised that gender disparity exists on a large scale. I rarely see any female speakers in our speaker-packed classes. I wanted to apply what I’ve learned and give myself a nice challenge — start something of my own.
In a short span of time, you’ve garnered an impressive number of achievements, among which is the “Forbes 30 Under 30” accolade. How does one get on that list?
PS: I got noticed by one of the Forbes editors who writes about start-ups, venture capital and cross-border businesses. She nominated me, and the Forbes editors shortlist the candidates. Then Forbes invites several well-recognised industry experts to pick the 30 people in each category.
Other than that, what have been some of the other highlights since you started SoGal?
PS: We’ve helped tons of founders to go one step (or several steps) further on their entrepreneurial journey. Whenever a founder writes to me and tells me how much they’ve grown, I feel so proud!
I started writing about venture capital and entrepreneurship last year because there are too few women’s voices in the field. It paid off — I became the youngest LinkedIn 2015 Top Voices in VC & Entrepreneurship!
What do you think it means to be an entrepreneur — especially a young, female one — right now? What does it take?
PS: Being an entrepreneur means you need to be fearless. You need to be honest with yourself and accept who you are, because entrepreneurship is the ultimate self-discovery journey. You’ll learn about your limits, weaknesses, errors, and you have to be comfortable with that.
It also means being the crazy one. People (even those closest to you) will have different opinions, and you have to put yourself out there. You need to do things differently to succeed, because you can’t expect to do the same things and be more successful than others. Sometimes people disagree because they can’t see the future the way you do. Perseverance is key. Build a thick skin!
Being a young entrepreneur means you have little to lose. It means you can take more risks and be more agile. Start early because age is never a limiting factor. Start honing your skills and knowledge in your field of interest. Remember this song: “If you don’t try, you won’t know. If you don’t know, the fear will grow. But if you try, you will know. And when you know, the fear will go.”
Can you tell us what have been some of the hardest, most challenging things you’ve experienced so far?
PS: Challenges become bragging rights after you push through them. I don’t think what I’ve experienced can be called real hardship yet. I’m always up for more challenges.
What has it taught you about yourself? How have evolved on this journey?
PS: Entrepreneurship changed my whole perspective about life. It has led me to take a lot more control in every aspect of my life (in good and bad ways). It has made me realise that each one of us can make a difference, and we have power in our hands. All of us can add value and
create impact. I’ve turned my thinking upside down and become much more proactive instead of passive.
You have launched SoGal Ventures, a VC firm that focuses on businesses led by female millennials. What qualities do you look for in a CEO/founder before you invest in her and her company?
PS: We do invest in men, too! We want diversity across the board and balance in the team composition. Key qualities: Vision for the future (start-up is a long-haul game), ability to build rapport (do I feel enchanted by this person and want to work with/for him or her?), courage and perseverance to execute in any situation (shit happens all the time), and the product has to excite me.
What are the big no-nos?
PS: Founders who:
1. Think that they have no competitors (people are surviving just fine without you, so there must be someone serving this need);
2. Address us as “Dear sirs” (do your research);
3. Sound too spammy and promise too much (women don’t do this often);
4. Show us terrible designs in their decks (design is the future).
On top of managing your business, you also travel around the world to give talks, the latest score being a TEDx talk. Do you have a good tip on mastering public speaking?
PS: Practise. Know your message. I can now talk on stage fluently because I live and breathe these topics — female empowerment, millennials, venture capital, start-ups, cross-border businesses, entrepreneurship education, etc. So I’m not worried about having an exact script because I know what I’m talking about. Be interested in your audience. Show that you care about them and appreciate them.
With so much happening so quickly, does it ever scare you? What keeps you going, and going strong?
PS: I get excited for bigger and bigger things. What always happens is that we foresee the near future, and it happens exactly the way we imagined. It’s like when you send a strong signal to the universe, you will get a response. The more I’m elevated, the more I get motivated by the amazing people I can meet at that level.
What do you do in moments of doubt?
PS: I talk to my business partner. She’s a great cheerleader and reminds me to be the inspiring self.
PS: I dream of being a fashion blogger and hosting my own concert, haha! I love traveling and music. I’m very into dessert (that’s not too sweet) and dresses.
How do you like to refresh/recharge the mind and body amid your busy schedule?
PS: I love GuavaPass.com! I do classes on GuavaPass about three times a week. My favourites are hot yoga, barre classes and zumba! It keeps workouts interesting! I also love massages and facials! It’s the kind of indulgence I need.
What is your golden rule for success in life and in your career?
PS: Always help others, and accumulate good karma.
Finally, what’s your ultimate dream? Or are you already living it?
PS: My ultimate dream is to build a business empire with the SoGal spirit at its core – fun, inspiring, and transformational. This could include numerous global chapters, a SoGal co-working space, several funds, a hotel, a fashion label, a jewellery line, a collective of amazing women around the world, a media show, a school that teaches entrepreneurship and investing… The possibilities are endless!
