technology
Kedah-born entrepreneur feted with award by US Tech consumer group
Kedah-born Hong Lip Yow, CEO of Trident Case, was named by the US's Consumer Technology Association (CTA) as the Small Business Executive of the Year. – November 27, 2015.The average person or techie would probably be familiar with Trident cases for smartphones, tablets and accessories, and frugal ones may make do with the knock-offs.
What most are probably not aware of is that Trident is as much a Malaysian success as it is American.
The life and career path of founder and CEO of Trident Case, Hong Lip Yow, who hails from Alor Setar in Kedah, is as colourful and impressive just as the man himself is a picture of understated humility.
After having decided to stay in the United States upon graduation more than two decades ago, Hong began his career in San Francisco in the finance industry helping startups, before moving on to become president of SEGlobal Equities.
He then founded his first company, The Ant Commandos, known primarily for guitar controllers for PlayStation’s Guitar Hero, and invested in several high-performing tech companies.
But in spite of his success and accomplishments, Hong wasn't quite satisfied as he felt he needed to play a more active role in his community.
This in-built sense of responsibility to others around him he attributes to his father, a Chinese immigrant who travelled to Malaysia decades earlier to carve out a living for his family.
“My father showed me from an early age that when you are successful, you have an obligation to give back and help people.
Trident Case produces cases for smartphones, tablets and accessories. – November 27, 2015."I wouldn’t be here today without the help of other people, and I want to be able to pay them back for the help I’ve received,” Hong said in an email interview with The Malaysian Insider recently.
This urging was what prompted him to start Trident Case in 2010, and subsequently Trident MFG and Trident Molds Ltd, to support his company's "Made in USA" initiative.
The company, a pioneer in mobile device cases, has been growing exponentially in the past three years.
Hong also recently launched the "Live With Impact Foundation", named after Trident's tagline, which provides scholarships and donations to applicants who strive to positively impact those around them.
For his efforts, and for the growing success of his company, Hong was recently named by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) as the Small Business Executive of the Year, an accolade he quickly shares with his employees.
The key to success, he shares, is to empower your employees and giving back to society.
"I would tell a business owner and entrepreneur to do their homework, hire the best people, innovate, stick it out through thick and thin, and be willing to take risks," said the father of three girls.
"You need to hire unique, forward-thinking people. Then, you need to give these people the freedom to create." – November 27, 2015.
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