Don't go solo on your entrepreneurial journey

Chan Chee Kong, COO of GlobalTix, NBS Alumnus

To Chan Chee Kong (CK), Co-Founder and COO of GlobalTix, an e-ticketing service provider for the travel and tourism industry, the entrepreneurship route is lonely but avoidable. It is also fraught with challenges, but with the right partners, these can be overcome. 

After graduating from Nanyang Business School with an Accounting degree in 1997, CK worked for multinational financial institutions for more than a decade. In that time, he’s gained invaluable experience that has helped him gauge a business idea’s potential more effectively and the know-how to bring these ideas to life.

We sat him down for a chat, and here’s what he shared about his entrepreneur journey.

Were you interested in the travel and tourism industry, and was that something that drew you to GlobalTix?

I have no love or hate for any particular industry, but I enjoy solving problems and bringing ideas to life. My brother had the idea for GlobalTix after his time with Singapore Airlines and the Sentosa Development Corporation. The problems he wanted to tackle were genuine ones, and that motivated me to help him realise his vision.

His brother, Chan Chee Chong, had a front-row seat to the inefficiencies and finicky customer experience that tourists and attraction visitors often faced. The queues, physical tickets, passes, stamps were no fun for anyone, and going digital could promise a more seamless experience for both customers and merchants.

What’s it like working with your brother?

With the right level of maturity, it’s the same as working with a colleague. Trust is key and something that many business owners and partners struggle with. What matters is that you know what you’re focusing on, and you trust and respect the work of others.

What was it like when you first joined?

I thought it would be an easy sell when I joined in 2015. While Singapore was more receptive, international prospects were more traditional, sticking to the tried and tested. It was tough to convince them to break from the age-old model of hiring promoters and runners to canvas the streets. After all, handing out flyers and other promotional tactics had worked for decades, and seemed more economical in comparison to the investment needed to digitalise their ticketing experience.

The GlobalTix Team

What’s GlobalTix’s corporate culture like, and how do you find work-life balance?

At GlobalTix, we believe that family comes first. Settle your family affairs, and everything else will come together. As for work-life balance, I don’t think it’s a 50-50 split. It’s about being present and committed. When it’s time to work ‒ focus is key, and the same goes for your personal life.

What are your thoughts on starting your own business straight out of school?

It’s important to gain experience, to work for and with other people first. You learn the difference between good ideas and commercially viable ones. Beyond that, you will learn skills that can’t be taught in school. For example, when you are participating in a Co-curricular Activity (CCA) in school, everyone has a common interest. However, in the corporate world, everyone has their own agenda and priorities.

What should budding entrepreneurs consider?

Entrepreneurship is a journey that shouldn’t be taken solo. Because you need someone to stress test your ideas, and you can’t have an intellectual or objective discussion with yourself.

CK, top right, during his NTU days