One question that I get frequently asked is on how I got into business. Well, I can give you the boring answer which is that I worked hard and followed all the rules (the usual way people get into business and become successful) or I can tell you the truth. I would like to share the answer that actually reveals some of the early indications that I had that I would be an entrepreneur one day. One of those indications was me being a rebel.

One thing that I possessed which led to me becoming an entrepreneur was a rebellious voice inside me telling me to go beyond the borderlines. So the moment I stopped trying to be perfect, I became good.

My first acts of rebellion most likely came when I was a toddler. Although I don’t remember things perfectly, I know that this stage was critical in helping me become more rebellious and fighting against the rules.

Teachers would tell me to sit still, be quiet and blend into the environment. However, that was not my style. I always questioned everything and refused to accept something until I was clear that that was the right thing. You know what they say about intelligent people – they are intelligent not because they think they know everything without questioning, but rather because they question everything they think they know.

One time when I actually pushed the boundaries was when I shocked everyone back in year 10. We were studying the Great Depression and its impact on families and our assignment involved writing about it. I wasn’t much of a writer back then but I did possess the intrinsic ability to draw my thoughts into images. I loved drawing and painting, so I told the tale of the Depression in my own way and the next day everyone was talking about it. That day, I officially entered into the land of rebels.

My next big step towards breaking the rules was when I started studying Art & Design in College. Being Asian, this wasn’t the norm as everyone would be studying Business Studies or IT but I broke that trend. Not only that, I further continued to study Art & Design at University by studying Graphic Design.

I started my business against all odds: it was the rebel in me taking over. I started a graphic design company, providing design, print and web. I was told by friends & family that I wouldn’t succeed, that I had no track record, no references, no office and no employees. But I believed in myself and believed in my dream that one day I would be a successful entrepreneur, thanks to my rebellious and persistent spirit. I started slowly but with a clear goal in mind. I still went out and started my business.

To establish my reputation and gain more experience, I went out and did design work for free or for very little money in order to build up my client base. Rebels have an advantage of trying harder when things are tough even if it means stepping on a few toes.

Rebels are not afraid of failures or an adventure which is why they think outside the box. So I became successful by working hard and challenging myself.

I think that one needs to be rebellious to become an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs possess an unfailing irrational self-confidence which provides them with the ability to think strategically and act aggressively when necessary. Thus, the ones who break the rules when necessary are the ones who possess the natural ability to become successful entrepreneurs.