Surviving Solo: Sherry Wong on Being a Solo Founder

Summary

In a vibrant conversation, Sherry Wong shares her journey as a solo founder in the Creator economy. With a background in molecular biology and experience in tech investing, she discusses her entrepreneurial itch and the challenges of building her startup, Roster, a hiring platform for creators. Sherry reflects on her early aspirations, the pivoting processes, and the importance of experimentation. Despite the stresses and uncertainties of entrepreneurship, she remains passionate about creating meaningful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. This dialogue offers insights into resilience, creativity, and the realities of startup life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Founders often experience an 'itch' to create and innovate, leading them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
• 😀 Sherry Wong transitioned from a background in molecular biology and tech investing to building her own startup.
• 😀 The journey of being a solo founder is filled with challenges, requiring mental resilience and adaptability.
• 😀 Sherry's initial interest was in dermatology, but she gravitated towards the business side of things during her studies.
• 😀 Early experiences, like starting a non-profit, helped Sherry develop essential skills in marketing and sales.
• 😀 Working in the Creator economy has been a driving force for Sherry, who has been involved in content creation for years.
• 😀 Roster, Sherry's startup, aims to facilitate hiring for the Creator economy by connecting creators with specialized talent.
• 😀 The importance of timing and recognizing market opportunities is crucial for entrepreneurs, as seen in Sherry's pivoting experiences.
• 😀 Building a startup often involves iterative processes, where founders must continually assess and adapt their ideas.
• 😀 Sherry emphasizes the significance of user feedback and the emotional rewards that come from seeing one's creation resonate with others.

Q & A

What motivated Sherry Wong to become a founder?

Sherry felt a persistent 'itch' to build something from a young age, indicating a deep-seated entrepreneurial spirit.

How did Sherry's educational background influence her career path?

Although she studied molecular biology and initially aimed to be a dermatologist, her time in university exposed her to business and marketing, ultimately guiding her toward startups.

What significant project did Sherry undertake while still in high school?

She founded a nonprofit organization to help students apply for scholarships, which honed her skills in marketing and fundraising.

What was Sherry's first job after graduating?

Sherry applied for various positions on AngelList and eventually secured a job at a startup in Montreal.

How did Sherry end up moving to Singapore?

She received an opportunity to work with an early-stage fund investing in the creator economy, which was a significant career shift.

What led Sherry to create the hiring platform, Roster?

Her personal experiences and observations in the creator economy revealed a gap in hiring resources for creators, prompting her to build a solution.

What challenges did Sherry face as a solo founder?

Sherry encountered difficulties in finding a co-founder and the emotional rollercoaster of pivoting her ideas during the startup process.

How did Sherry's early projects inform her current work?

Her previous projects, including an anonymous database for creators, provided insights into the needs and dynamics of the creator economy.

What is the primary focus of Roster?

Roster aims to simplify the hiring process for creators by connecting them with specialized behind-the-camera talent, such as editors and strategists.

What does Sherry believe is essential for success in the startup world?

She emphasizes the importance of perseverance, experimentation, and maintaining mental resilience to navigate the challenges of building a startup.