Lost and Founded Series – Cameron Priest

Entrepreneur, product guy and developer. Cameron Priest, CEO of TradeGecko - a cloud based inventory and order management platform for SMEs that lets users integrate with world-class accounting, point-of-sale and ecommerce solutions, and get indepth business intelligence into their sales & supply chain - is so committed to his cause, he’s willing to drop everything and go someplace without distractions to start something new. Determined to put a dent in the universe, the Kiwi-born, Singapore-based Priest truly believes that it's his responsibility to fix the biggest problems facing the human race - because if he doesn’t do it, who will? Oh and did we mention he also has a specific multi-page plan and to-do list for the next 30 years...

People say you are "Cameron Priest, the CEO of TradeGecko". Who do you say you are?

I'm a kiwi, raised on a kiwifruit orchard who grew up with pet sheep :) I'm now a Singapore-based entrepreneur building a global company.

Best moment in your startup life. It was so good you wanted to fly BusinessClass somewhere with someone, and pop open the most expensive bottle of champagne there.

So many moments, but my #1 was (and still is) growing a team of amazing people and having an opportunity to put a dent in the universe.

What secret did you hide from your co-founder or partner or parent for the longest time? Why?

When I didn't know if we were going to make payroll.. and I hid it from co-founders, staff etc., so they don't stress out.

What's the most eccentric thing about you? If VCs found out, they wouldn't have signed the term sheet then. But hell with that now.

I truly believe that it's my responsibility to fix the biggest problems facing the human race, because if I don't do it, who will?

Have you ever cried? Or what was the lowest, crappiest moment in your start-up life. You wanted to give up everything. You wanted to kill someone. (During your startup career of course) Tell us more!

Worst moment was the waiting and waiting when raising a new round of funding.

What are you up to today? What gets you up in the morning?

Hiring, always recruiting. We're building the face of Singapore tech, the future of global commerce.

How do you keep yourself physically and mentally fit for start-up life?

Exercise 3-4 times a week in the gym, taking up Muay Thai and MMA.

Offer a life hack (or two) to a young founder.

If you're struggling to get started, just drop everything and book a ticket to somewhere where you don't have the distractions of friends, girlfriends/boyfriends, a job. And just spend 3 months. We did that when we left New Zealand to join Singapore JFDI. Oh, and find a co-founder.

Movie or song that best describes you.

Aloe Blacc - The Man

Favourite quote.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

— William Hutchison Murray

Who and what inspires you?

It's so easy it's almost cheating, Elon Musk. Oh and my fiancé.

Tell me about Cameron Priest in 2030.

I actually have a specific multi-page plan and to-do list for the next 30 years...

A kiwi based in Singapore. A father and husband. An owner of companies in space mining, medical / longevity research, energy companies and an investor in everything hi-tech.