Ian Myers

Most of them are startups, but a lot of them are small businesses, services companies like law firms and accounting firms, doctor's offices, nonprofits, creative agencies. And for them, they may have holes in their business that they don't have enough money to hire a person in New York for $200,000 a year, but they still need the work done.

Most of them are startups, but a lot of them are small businesses, services companies like law firms and accounting firms, doctor's offices, nonprofits, creative agencies. And for them, they may have holes in their business that they don't have enough money to hire a person in New York for $200,000 a year, but they still need the work done.

And so they come to us to hire really talented, well-educated, smart people, but at a 80% less cost than it would be to hire them in the US.

And so they come to us to hire really talented, well-educated, smart people, but at a 80% less cost than it would be to hire them in the US.

Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's also important to mention that a lot of people that work for us, they're getting to access... We work with some of the top e-commerce companies in the world, some of the top AI startups in the world. They're getting to access... such incredible opportunities and learn from businesses that would be completely inaccessible otherwise for them.

Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's also important to mention that a lot of people that work for us, they're getting to access... We work with some of the top e-commerce companies in the world, some of the top AI startups in the world. They're getting to access... such incredible opportunities and learn from businesses that would be completely inaccessible otherwise for them.

And I think in a way we are opening doors on both sides and that is a great business. Everybody wins. And I haven't built a business before where everybody was like really happy all across the board. And that's been really rewarding.

And I think in a way we are opening doors on both sides and that is a great business. Everybody wins. And I haven't built a business before where everybody was like really happy all across the board. And that's been really rewarding.

The important thing to know about me is that I am inherently skeptical. I'm something of a cynic. I think the value of being involved in the tech community to a large extent, but also in many other industries around the world. And so I have a healthy amount of skepticism when I hear the tech industry's claims about AI and things like that.

The important thing to know about me is that I am inherently skeptical. I'm something of a cynic. I think the value of being involved in the tech community to a large extent, but also in many other industries around the world. And so I have a healthy amount of skepticism when I hear the tech industry's claims about AI and things like that.

And my feeling is undeniable that the technology is impressive and important. I would argue that as with most great technologies, The adoption curve is going to be much longer than people expect. If you look back toward everything from VR to autonomous vehicles, the predictions around when it would change the world were always too short. I think we are at a stage where

And my feeling is undeniable that the technology is impressive and important. I would argue that as with most great technologies, The adoption curve is going to be much longer than people expect. If you look back toward everything from VR to autonomous vehicles, the predictions around when it would change the world were always too short. I think we are at a stage where

AI is going to be an augmentative solution for much longer than people think before it is a full solution in any part of the roles that we fill for businesses. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be specific roles that can be done fully by AI, but I suspect that it will be augmentatives for longer than people think.

AI is going to be an augmentative solution for much longer than people think before it is a full solution in any part of the roles that we fill for businesses. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be specific roles that can be done fully by AI, but I suspect that it will be augmentatives for longer than people think.

Yeah, and I also think not only is the adoption curve longer than people expect, there's different types of businesses that will adopt faster than others. If I look at some of our most cutting-edge startup clients, they are already using AI in very sophisticated ways inside their businesses.

Yeah, and I also think not only is the adoption curve longer than people expect, there's different types of businesses that will adopt faster than others. If I look at some of our most cutting-edge startup clients, they are already using AI in very sophisticated ways inside their businesses.

If I go look at some of our clients that own landscaping businesses or that own storage companies, they're not really using it at all. So... I think what we will see is a fast adoption by the always fastest adopters, which are startups, but a much longer tail adoption for other businesses over time.

If I go look at some of our clients that own landscaping businesses or that own storage companies, they're not really using it at all. So... I think what we will see is a fast adoption by the always fastest adopters, which are startups, but a much longer tail adoption for other businesses over time.

It's an interesting question. I have experienced it at various points in my career, and I'm also not experienced at all in various points in my career. So an example of this is I worked a lot in Japan, and the Japanese professional structure is extremely hierarchical. Your age is almost the most important thing about you.

It's an interesting question. I have experienced it at various points in my career, and I'm also not experienced at all in various points in my career. So an example of this is I worked a lot in Japan, and the Japanese professional structure is extremely hierarchical. Your age is almost the most important thing about you.

Your ideas, your initiative, your drive, your success, your track record plays a somewhat minor role in your ability to succeed inside large organizations relative to tenure, which is another way of saying age. And so...

Your ideas, your initiative, your drive, your success, your track record plays a somewhat minor role in your ability to succeed inside large organizations relative to tenure, which is another way of saying age. And so...

in societies like that i encountered something that caused me frustration and put me on the path to entrepreneurship which was you're not looking at my ideas and my results you're looking at how old i am that was something i couldn't personally tolerate Now, I became a CEO when I was 26. I had a team of 30 people by the time we exited the company.

in societies like that i encountered something that caused me frustration and put me on the path to entrepreneurship which was you're not looking at my ideas and my results you're looking at how old i am that was something i couldn't personally tolerate Now, I became a CEO when I was 26. I had a team of 30 people by the time we exited the company.

Most of my leadership team was 10 years plus older than me. And I worried about that sometimes, but it never manifested itself. I think nobody ever saw really age. And today I am still the youngest person on our leadership team at Oceans, but it's pretty varied and pretty diverse, both in terms of gender and in terms of age. And. It's a great thing.

Most of my leadership team was 10 years plus older than me. And I worried about that sometimes, but it never manifested itself. I think nobody ever saw really age. And today I am still the youngest person on our leadership team at Oceans, but it's pretty varied and pretty diverse, both in terms of gender and in terms of age. And. It's a great thing.

You have a lot of perspectives that are extremely experienced. There is some knowledge and decision-making and instincts that just come with experience, which is another, again, way of saying age. But there's also...

You have a lot of perspectives that are extremely experienced. There is some knowledge and decision-making and instincts that just come with experience, which is another, again, way of saying age. But there's also...

the challenging the fresh the kind of new perspectives that can come from youth that are important and so i built a culture where age is not really a factor in anything that we do because that's important to me but i have experienced it before that's an interesting example you brought up about japan i actually just got back from japan myself

the challenging the fresh the kind of new perspectives that can come from youth that are important and so i built a culture where age is not really a factor in anything that we do because that's important to me but i have experienced it before that's an interesting example you brought up about japan i actually just got back from japan myself

Good morning, Vince, or good evening.

Good morning, Vince, or good evening.

I would say that it is an interesting business in the sense that we field a lot of interesting questions that come across as ignorance issues. But in reality, most of the time are simply a lack of exposure or experience working with cultures abroad. Our team is over is, I think, 76 percent women. So it's a very dramatically different ratio than most companies, even at the leadership level.

I would say that it is an interesting business in the sense that we field a lot of interesting questions that come across as ignorance issues. But in reality, most of the time are simply a lack of exposure or experience working with cultures abroad. Our team is over is, I think, 76 percent women. So it's a very dramatically different ratio than most companies, even at the leadership level.

That is true. And I'll give you an example of this. A guy came to us a few years ago and he said, look, I love an EA Plus. I'm really struggling with the operations, my business. I run an investment company. But he really needs to be a guy because I think my wife really wants it to be a guy. And that was a new one for me in terms of gender preferences.

That is true. And I'll give you an example of this. A guy came to us a few years ago and he said, look, I love an EA Plus. I'm really struggling with the operations, my business. I run an investment company. But he really needs to be a guy because I think my wife really wants it to be a guy. And that was a new one for me in terms of gender preferences.

We oftentimes have had clients say, you know, I would like, and this is a real thing that happens. People say they're going to be interfaced with clients. So I'm a, you know, an attractive woman. Yay. Plus.

We oftentimes have had clients say, you know, I would like, and this is a real thing that happens. People say they're going to be interfaced with clients. So I'm a, you know, an attractive woman. Yay. Plus.

We don't entertain the clients that come to us with those kinds of requests, because again, there's the more innocent type of preference, which is to say, look, I'd really want a guy because I, you know, I think I'm going to have problems with my wife, even though not whatever, but that's fine. We can work with that. If you're coming to us and saying, I want an attractive woman. Yay.

We don't entertain the clients that come to us with those kinds of requests, because again, there's the more innocent type of preference, which is to say, look, I'd really want a guy because I, you know, I think I'm going to have problems with my wife, even though not whatever, but that's fine. We can work with that. If you're coming to us and saying, I want an attractive woman. Yay.

we're not going to be working with you because that's a ridiculous request and something of a disrespectful request as well. We value people's abilities, not how they look, not what gender they are, not where they come from, not even how old they are.

we're not going to be working with you because that's a ridiculous request and something of a disrespectful request as well. We value people's abilities, not how they look, not what gender they are, not where they come from, not even how old they are.

I will say we have some of our best EAs that work for us two to three years of experience, but they are smart, they are driven, they are capable, they are talented, and they deliver in ways that some of our folks that have ended 12 years of experience don't.

I will say we have some of our best EAs that work for us two to three years of experience, but they are smart, they are driven, they are capable, they are talented, and they deliver in ways that some of our folks that have ended 12 years of experience don't.

The only thing I would say around age is we have actually found that in a lot of instances, because our clients are startups, if people have been in the workforce for too long, i.e. 15 to 20 years, they will not succeed in the environment that they will be in, not because they're not talented, not because they aren't smart and hardworking, but because if they are not successful,

The only thing I would say around age is we have actually found that in a lot of instances, because our clients are startups, if people have been in the workforce for too long, i.e. 15 to 20 years, they will not succeed in the environment that they will be in, not because they're not talented, not because they aren't smart and hardworking, but because if they are not successful,

very familiar with using a huge suite of online technologies and working in a fully remote environment, it's incredibly difficult to adjust. And that does affect their ability to do well in oceans.

very familiar with using a huge suite of online technologies and working in a fully remote environment, it's incredibly difficult to adjust. And that does affect their ability to do well in oceans.

Yeah, and the reason I think it's important to talk about college is it's something that people are increasingly not interested in doing these days. Also worried about whether or not it's going to help them get a job, not get a job, waste of money, waste of time. For me, I just wanted to spend four years studying something that was interesting to me.

Yeah, and the reason I think it's important to talk about college is it's something that people are increasingly not interested in doing these days. Also worried about whether or not it's going to help them get a job, not get a job, waste of money, waste of time. For me, I just wanted to spend four years studying something that was interesting to me.

Yeah, as a default, we don't entertain preferences. People don't get to come to us and say, look, I want this gender or that gender. I want this type of thing or that type of thing. They come to us with a job description and we provide talented individuals who are capable of filling that job description now.

Yeah, as a default, we don't entertain preferences. People don't get to come to us and say, look, I want this gender or that gender. I want this type of thing or that type of thing. They come to us with a job description and we provide talented individuals who are capable of filling that job description now.

They might come with a years of experience preference, and I think that is legitimate because it allows for an approximation of knowledge and skills that no other metric can really capture. That being said, we might say, look, I know you asked for eight years of experience, but here's someone with four who should really be able to do this job, and that's the person we will present.

They might come with a years of experience preference, and I think that is legitimate because it allows for an approximation of knowledge and skills that no other metric can really capture. That being said, we might say, look, I know you asked for eight years of experience, but here's someone with four who should really be able to do this job, and that's the person we will present.

I would say, first of all, I was incredibly privileged to be able to just go to school to study literature because I like literature. I don't think a lot of people have that option. And so if you can do that, great. If you can't, which I think is most people, they're really thinking about what is going to pay my bills because college is so expensive.

I would say, first of all, I was incredibly privileged to be able to just go to school to study literature because I like literature. I don't think a lot of people have that option. And so if you can do that, great. If you can't, which I think is most people, they're really thinking about what is going to pay my bills because college is so expensive.

To your international listeners, they may not be familiar with this problem. It is a definitively United States issue that the expense of a four-year degree is close to a quarter of a million dollars. more. You're suddenly looking at this, okay, it's costing me $250,000 to go to college. I can't come out and be making something that pays me $30,000 a year, taking me 10 years to pay this back.

To your international listeners, they may not be familiar with this problem. It is a definitively United States issue that the expense of a four-year degree is close to a quarter of a million dollars. more. You're suddenly looking at this, okay, it's costing me $250,000 to go to college. I can't come out and be making something that pays me $30,000 a year, taking me 10 years to pay this back.

So I studied literature, and a big part of my journey has just been Following what was interesting in the moment and not necessarily thinking about my career as a series of points on a line that I had to achieve, which I think a lot of people do, and it actually might have served to hurt people more than it helps them. So I studied literature in school.

So I studied literature, and a big part of my journey has just been Following what was interesting in the moment and not necessarily thinking about my career as a series of points on a line that I had to achieve, which I think a lot of people do, and it actually might have served to hurt people more than it helps them. So I studied literature in school.

It's a uniquely US phenomenon. My advice to people is

It's a uniquely US phenomenon. My advice to people is

is this is a really uncertain time traditional career paths are broken people are not just going to a four-year degree and then going to work their way up at a company and getting a nice salary and buying a house and doing all the things that used to be the milestones of success and you shouldn't go into this with the expectation that is going to be true

is this is a really uncertain time traditional career paths are broken people are not just going to a four-year degree and then going to work their way up at a company and getting a nice salary and buying a house and doing all the things that used to be the milestones of success and you shouldn't go into this with the expectation that is going to be true

I also don't like to push people towards entrepreneurship. I think very few entrepreneurs succeed, and it can be a really damaging endeavor. It can cost people money. It can cost people relationships. It can cost people, most importantly, time. So I don't really recommend that people do that just carte blanche. What I would say is... Most importantly, don't be afraid of taking the wrong step.

I also don't like to push people towards entrepreneurship. I think very few entrepreneurs succeed, and it can be a really damaging endeavor. It can cost people money. It can cost people relationships. It can cost people, most importantly, time. So I don't really recommend that people do that just carte blanche. What I would say is... Most importantly, don't be afraid of taking the wrong step.

That's the thing I see most frequently in young people today. They get analysis paralysis and they look at the world and they're trying to plot their career out 10 moves ahead. And I will tell you that used to work. There used to be a framework where you could say, okay, I'm going to go to this college. I'm going to get this degree. I'm going to go to law school. I'm going to work at this firm.

That's the thing I see most frequently in young people today. They get analysis paralysis and they look at the world and they're trying to plot their career out 10 moves ahead. And I will tell you that used to work. There used to be a framework where you could say, okay, I'm going to go to this college. I'm going to get this degree. I'm going to go to law school. I'm going to work at this firm.

I'm going to achieve this. And if I just hit these milestones, I know what my life will be like. We live in an age of chaos and upheaval that is not anything familiar to any of us that are younger than 50 or 60 years old.

I'm going to achieve this. And if I just hit these milestones, I know what my life will be like. We live in an age of chaos and upheaval that is not anything familiar to any of us that are younger than 50 or 60 years old.

in these times you can't plot your course and so you shouldn't be afraid of making a wrong move you should call your instinct all what feels right and constantly be adjusting and recalculating for the things that are important to you in life and not the things that you think should be important to you or you're told are important to you

in these times you can't plot your course and so you shouldn't be afraid of making a wrong move you should call your instinct all what feels right and constantly be adjusting and recalculating for the things that are important to you in life and not the things that you think should be important to you or you're told are important to you

Because there might be moments in time where you feel like you made the wrong decision. You're at the wrong job. You took the wrong choice. But ultimately, a door might open as a result of that leads you to a place where you are very happy that wouldn't have opened if you hadn't made that quote unquote wrong choice. So keep moving forward.

Because there might be moments in time where you feel like you made the wrong decision. You're at the wrong job. You took the wrong choice. But ultimately, a door might open as a result of that leads you to a place where you are very happy that wouldn't have opened if you hadn't made that quote unquote wrong choice. So keep moving forward.

Don't let yourself be afraid of decisions and just push the envelope and keep recalibrating as you advance through your career.

Don't let yourself be afraid of decisions and just push the envelope and keep recalibrating as you advance through your career.

I think enough change is called chaos.

I think enough change is called chaos.

I went to grad school for international policy because I loved interacting with people from all over the world. I had lived in Asia for a little while, studied abroad in Japan. And that brought me to work with a Japanese asset manager who was investing in venture funds in the U.S. And that was quite a cross-cultural experience.

I went to grad school for international policy because I loved interacting with people from all over the world. I had lived in Asia for a little while, studied abroad in Japan. And that brought me to work with a Japanese asset manager who was investing in venture funds in the U.S. And that was quite a cross-cultural experience.

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I would just say I think it's the important work you're doing here. People, too many of the podcasts that I listen to are about how to hack your way to success, are about practical advice on how to build a certain type of business, how to buy real estate. We've gotten to a place in content where

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I would just say I think it's the important work you're doing here. People, too many of the podcasts that I listen to are about how to hack your way to success, are about practical advice on how to build a certain type of business, how to buy real estate. We've gotten to a place in content where

Where it's all about tactical advice that you might pay for or take a course on or something like that. And of course I'm generalizing, but I guess my point is it's refreshing to have a microphone to a topic that is more about how to guide people's lives through change. And for people listening who are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, tactical advice doesn't really help.

Where it's all about tactical advice that you might pay for or take a course on or something like that. And of course I'm generalizing, but I guess my point is it's refreshing to have a microphone to a topic that is more about how to guide people's lives through change. And for people listening who are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, tactical advice doesn't really help.

Hearing just holistically and qualitatively about the human experience in times of change, I think is a really reassuring thing. So I just want to applaud the work you did, Vince.

Hearing just holistically and qualitatively about the human experience in times of change, I think is a really reassuring thing. So I just want to applaud the work you did, Vince.

Speaking Japanese, I was something of a translator, both linguistically and culturally. And that was my first exposure as someone who had a pretty mundane academic background to venture and startups and technology and flashy growth and lots of money and millions of dollars in financing. And it's hard not to... feel the allure of that world.

Speaking Japanese, I was something of a translator, both linguistically and culturally. And that was my first exposure as someone who had a pretty mundane academic background to venture and startups and technology and flashy growth and lots of money and millions of dollars in financing. And it's hard not to... feel the allure of that world.

If anyone's been in it, been around it, seen it, it's exciting. So naturally I left banking. I went into venture capital and became an investor at a firm in New York. Spent some time there, very rewarding, met a lot of great people. But of course the thing that happens when you're young and in venture is you always look at the entrepreneurs who are building companies and you say, wow,

If anyone's been in it, been around it, seen it, it's exciting. So naturally I left banking. I went into venture capital and became an investor at a firm in New York. Spent some time there, very rewarding, met a lot of great people. But of course the thing that happens when you're young and in venture is you always look at the entrepreneurs who are building companies and you say, wow,

What am I doing? I'm just moving money around. These people are building stuff. I want to do that. It looks like so much fun. And then if you do it, you realize it's just a lot of pain and suffering until it's great and rewarding. But from the inside, it seems fun. So I took the leap. I became CEO of a company called Newspix, which I built over a year and a half before it was acquired.

What am I doing? I'm just moving money around. These people are building stuff. I want to do that. It looks like so much fun. And then if you do it, you realize it's just a lot of pain and suffering until it's great and rewarding. But from the inside, it seems fun. So I took the leap. I became CEO of a company called Newspix, which I built over a year and a half before it was acquired.

Then worked for the acquiring company for a number of years doing new products. And then I launched a second company in the gaming space. It was a total failure, shut down, didn't work out the way I'd hoped. And then I launched Oceans and that brings us up to today.

Then worked for the acquiring company for a number of years doing new products. And then I launched a second company in the gaming space. It was a total failure, shut down, didn't work out the way I'd hoped. And then I launched Oceans and that brings us up to today.

Yes, I had a professor actually in my undergrad, and he was a Buddhist priest, and I took some of his classes. I studied with him at his temple. I eventually went to Japan to study more about Buddhism. It was a really interesting time of exploration for me, and it was a transformative period for sure.

Yes, I had a professor actually in my undergrad, and he was a Buddhist priest, and I took some of his classes. I studied with him at his temple. I eventually went to Japan to study more about Buddhism. It was a really interesting time of exploration for me, and it was a transformative period for sure.

You can't encounter that ideology and that level of spirituality without it leaving its mark on yourself, I think.

You can't encounter that ideology and that level of spirituality without it leaving its mark on yourself, I think.

For me, the first thing was it helps to shape yourself as a leader. I think Buddhism has a lot, whether or not you follow it to a daily extent, has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business. And I say that because it is at its core a method of grounding yourself. true honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.

For me, the first thing was it helps to shape yourself as a leader. I think Buddhism has a lot, whether or not you follow it to a daily extent, has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business. And I say that because it is at its core a method of grounding yourself. true honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.

And running a business, being an entrepreneur, being a founder, it's chaos. It's just chaos constantly from the second you start till the second you end, if you ever do. And having those teachings at the back of my mind, I believe have allowed me to navigate some difficult situations that have occurred and set my tone as a leader and as an entrepreneur. I also think that

And running a business, being an entrepreneur, being a founder, it's chaos. It's just chaos constantly from the second you start till the second you end, if you ever do. And having those teachings at the back of my mind, I believe have allowed me to navigate some difficult situations that have occurred and set my tone as a leader and as an entrepreneur. I also think that

Anytime you are exposed to working with a truly attempting to understand some cultural aspect that is vastly different from the one you experienced as a child or growing, or as the dominant part of the society you live in, you... Gain an ability to interact with different people from all over the world that for me as a global business person, as a global entrepreneur is incredibly important.

Anytime you are exposed to working with a truly attempting to understand some cultural aspect that is vastly different from the one you experienced as a child or growing, or as the dominant part of the society you live in, you... Gain an ability to interact with different people from all over the world that for me as a global business person, as a global entrepreneur is incredibly important.

It's a good question. I would say probably nothing so noble as your other guests. I... I have just personality traits that have pushed me in these directions. I think for one, I find it incredibly difficult to work for other people. I'm not a good employee. I don't follow directives well. And so that sort of forced me down a path of entrepreneurship. And I had to make the most of that.

It's a good question. I would say probably nothing so noble as your other guests. I... I have just personality traits that have pushed me in these directions. I think for one, I find it incredibly difficult to work for other people. I'm not a good employee. I don't follow directives well. And so that sort of forced me down a path of entrepreneurship. And I had to make the most of that.

I also am not really concerned about I think there's a tendency, especially I talk to young people today. They're always comparing themselves. They'll go on LinkedIn. They'll look around. They say, oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president here. And that's, you know, two levels ahead of me, even though we graduated the same year. My life is ruined.

I also am not really concerned about I think there's a tendency, especially I talk to young people today. They're always comparing themselves. They'll go on LinkedIn. They'll look around. They say, oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president here. And that's, you know, two levels ahead of me, even though we graduated the same year. My life is ruined.

I'm not on track to be successful. I worry about a lot of things in life. I'm a very anxious person. I worry a lot, but I have never really worried about my career. I have just thought, pursue the thing that is most interesting and trust your instincts and it'll work out. And so far, at times that has felt correct. And at times I felt, oh boy, I've really messed this up.

I'm not on track to be successful. I worry about a lot of things in life. I'm a very anxious person. I worry a lot, but I have never really worried about my career. I have just thought, pursue the thing that is most interesting and trust your instincts and it'll work out. And so far, at times that has felt correct. And at times I felt, oh boy, I've really messed this up.

I think part of it is I'm just not really calculating whether or not this is a good idea. I really just trust myself. And there's a lot of people who love working inside, like just being there cozily, a small cog inside of a large company. And that's where they feel good and happy. And that's what makes them feel safe and successful. And they should pursue that.

I think part of it is I'm just not really calculating whether or not this is a good idea. I really just trust myself. And there's a lot of people who love working inside, like just being there cozily, a small cog inside of a large company. And that's where they feel good and happy. And that's what makes them feel safe and successful. And they should pursue that.

For me, it was always the opposite. I wanted independence. I wanted to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. I've always had a lot of ambition. And so I really put that at the forefront of my decisions around career and transformation. But I always want to be experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to new places.

For me, it was always the opposite. I wanted independence. I wanted to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. I've always had a lot of ambition. And so I really put that at the forefront of my decisions around career and transformation. But I always want to be experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to new places.

And the only way to do that in a lot of instances is to do it yourself.

And the only way to do that in a lot of instances is to do it yourself.

My role model.

My role model.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

I think there's a couple of reasons. One, and I of course should get this out of the way, there's a lot of ethos in entrepreneurship and startups in America that you're, specifically that you're building something to build and to scratch a niche and do those kinds of things.

I think there's a couple of reasons. One, and I of course should get this out of the way, there's a lot of ethos in entrepreneurship and startups in America that you're, specifically that you're building something to build and to scratch a niche and do those kinds of things.

And there's a stigma around saying, hey, I saw an opportunity to make a very profitable business that would be successful and make a lot of money. And I try to tell people, you don't need to hide that as a motivation. It's okay to say, I want to be successful, not in the size of my company or the amount of funding I've raised, but that I want to build a business that makes money.

And there's a stigma around saying, hey, I saw an opportunity to make a very profitable business that would be successful and make a lot of money. And I try to tell people, you don't need to hide that as a motivation. It's okay to say, I want to be successful, not in the size of my company or the amount of funding I've raised, but that I want to build a business that makes money.

And I personally want to become successful. And I saw that opportunity here. And that's not a small part of it. In addition to that, for me, this was an opportunity to bring a lot more people who are building businesses into the unique experiences I had around working with people all over the globe.

And I personally want to become successful. And I saw that opportunity here. And that's not a small part of it. In addition to that, for me, this was an opportunity to bring a lot more people who are building businesses into the unique experiences I had around working with people all over the globe.

and develop a positive viewpoint of how the interconnectivity of people and cultures can help support a business's growth in ways that were just not possible before. And so it's an exciting new frontier. There is a lot of change. But what was most interesting to me was the receptiveness of a lot of companies in America to working with folks around the world in a way that wasn't there before.

and develop a positive viewpoint of how the interconnectivity of people and cultures can help support a business's growth in ways that were just not possible before. And so it's an exciting new frontier. There is a lot of change. But what was most interesting to me was the receptiveness of a lot of companies in America to working with folks around the world in a way that wasn't there before.

And I saw, given my experiences, a unique role for myself and for my company to play a guide as this kind of new age of global talent dawned.

And I saw, given my experiences, a unique role for myself and for my company to play a guide as this kind of new age of global talent dawned.

It's very simple. Our company focus is on highly skilled global talent. We are an agency that hires folks mostly in Sri Lanka currently, but soon all over the world. These are highly skilled college educated professionals. They are interested in working with unique people. companies around the world and our client base works with us to bring these people into their teams as embedded team members.

It's very simple. Our company focus is on highly skilled global talent. We are an agency that hires folks mostly in Sri Lanka currently, but soon all over the world. These are highly skilled college educated professionals. They are interested in working with unique people. companies around the world and our client base works with us to bring these people into their teams as embedded team members.

Even though they work for Oceans, they spend every day, 40 hours a week with their client, working for their clients on various things. For the long term, the roles that we mostly fill are in operations and admin, so specialized and highly skilled virtual assistants that we call EA+, marketing roles and finance roles. We have over 300 clients who work with us.

Even though they work for Oceans, they spend every day, 40 hours a week with their client, working for their clients on various things. For the long term, the roles that we mostly fill are in operations and admin, so specialized and highly skilled virtual assistants that we call EA+, marketing roles and finance roles. We have over 300 clients who work with us.

Most of them are startups, but a lot of them are small businesses, services companies like law firms and accounting firms, doctor's offices, nonprofits, creative agencies. And for them, they may have holes in their business that they don't have enough money to hire a person in New York for $200,000 a year, but they still need the work done.

Most of them are startups, but a lot of them are small businesses, services companies like law firms and accounting firms, doctor's offices, nonprofits, creative agencies. And for them, they may have holes in their business that they don't have enough money to hire a person in New York for $200,000 a year, but they still need the work done.

And so they come to us to hire really talented, well-educated, smart people, but at a 80% less cost than it would be to hire them in the US.

And so they come to us to hire really talented, well-educated, smart people, but at a 80% less cost than it would be to hire them in the US.

Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's also important to mention that a lot of people that work for us, they're getting to access... We work with some of the top e-commerce companies in the world, some of the top AI startups in the world. They're getting to access... such incredible opportunities and learn from businesses that would be completely inaccessible otherwise for them.

Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's also important to mention that a lot of people that work for us, they're getting to access... We work with some of the top e-commerce companies in the world, some of the top AI startups in the world. They're getting to access... such incredible opportunities and learn from businesses that would be completely inaccessible otherwise for them.

And I think in a way we are opening doors on both sides and that is a great business. Everybody wins. And I haven't built a business before where everybody was like really happy all across the board. And that's been really rewarding.

And I think in a way we are opening doors on both sides and that is a great business. Everybody wins. And I haven't built a business before where everybody was like really happy all across the board. And that's been really rewarding.

The important thing to know about me is that I am inherently skeptical. I'm something of a cynic. I think the value of being involved in the tech community to a large extent, but also in many other industries around the world. And so I have a healthy amount of skepticism when I hear the tech industry's claims about AI and things like that.

The important thing to know about me is that I am inherently skeptical. I'm something of a cynic. I think the value of being involved in the tech community to a large extent, but also in many other industries around the world. And so I have a healthy amount of skepticism when I hear the tech industry's claims about AI and things like that.

And my feeling is undeniable that the technology is impressive and important. I would argue that as with most great technologies, The adoption curve is going to be much longer than people expect. If you look back toward everything from VR to autonomous vehicles, the predictions around when it would change the world were always too short. I think we are at a stage where

And my feeling is undeniable that the technology is impressive and important. I would argue that as with most great technologies, The adoption curve is going to be much longer than people expect. If you look back toward everything from VR to autonomous vehicles, the predictions around when it would change the world were always too short. I think we are at a stage where

AI is going to be an augmentative solution for much longer than people think before it is a full solution in any part of the roles that we fill for businesses. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be specific roles that can be done fully by AI, but I suspect that it will be augmentatives for longer than people think.

AI is going to be an augmentative solution for much longer than people think before it is a full solution in any part of the roles that we fill for businesses. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be specific roles that can be done fully by AI, but I suspect that it will be augmentatives for longer than people think.

Yeah, and I also think not only is the adoption curve longer than people expect, there's different types of businesses that will adopt faster than others. If I look at some of our most cutting-edge startup clients, they are already using AI in very sophisticated ways inside their businesses.

Yeah, and I also think not only is the adoption curve longer than people expect, there's different types of businesses that will adopt faster than others. If I look at some of our most cutting-edge startup clients, they are already using AI in very sophisticated ways inside their businesses.

If I go look at some of our clients that own landscaping businesses or that own storage companies, they're not really using it at all. So... I think what we will see is a fast adoption by the always fastest adopters, which are startups, but a much longer tail adoption for other businesses over time.

If I go look at some of our clients that own landscaping businesses or that own storage companies, they're not really using it at all. So... I think what we will see is a fast adoption by the always fastest adopters, which are startups, but a much longer tail adoption for other businesses over time.

It's an interesting question. I have experienced it at various points in my career, and I'm also not experienced at all in various points in my career. So an example of this is I worked a lot in Japan, and the Japanese professional structure is extremely hierarchical. Your age is almost the most important thing about you.

It's an interesting question. I have experienced it at various points in my career, and I'm also not experienced at all in various points in my career. So an example of this is I worked a lot in Japan, and the Japanese professional structure is extremely hierarchical. Your age is almost the most important thing about you.

Your ideas, your initiative, your drive, your success, your track record plays a somewhat minor role in your ability to succeed inside large organizations relative to tenure, which is another way of saying age. And so...

Your ideas, your initiative, your drive, your success, your track record plays a somewhat minor role in your ability to succeed inside large organizations relative to tenure, which is another way of saying age. And so...

in societies like that i encountered something that caused me frustration and put me on the path to entrepreneurship which was you're not looking at my ideas and my results you're looking at how old i am that was something i couldn't personally tolerate Now, I became a CEO when I was 26. I had a team of 30 people by the time we exited the company.

in societies like that i encountered something that caused me frustration and put me on the path to entrepreneurship which was you're not looking at my ideas and my results you're looking at how old i am that was something i couldn't personally tolerate Now, I became a CEO when I was 26. I had a team of 30 people by the time we exited the company.

Most of my leadership team was 10 years plus older than me. And I worried about that sometimes, but it never manifested itself. I think nobody ever saw really age. And today I am still the youngest person on our leadership team at Oceans, but it's pretty varied and pretty diverse, both in terms of gender and in terms of age. And. It's a great thing.

Most of my leadership team was 10 years plus older than me. And I worried about that sometimes, but it never manifested itself. I think nobody ever saw really age. And today I am still the youngest person on our leadership team at Oceans, but it's pretty varied and pretty diverse, both in terms of gender and in terms of age. And. It's a great thing.

You have a lot of perspectives that are extremely experienced. There is some knowledge and decision-making and instincts that just come with experience, which is another, again, way of saying age. But there's also...

You have a lot of perspectives that are extremely experienced. There is some knowledge and decision-making and instincts that just come with experience, which is another, again, way of saying age. But there's also...

the challenging the fresh the kind of new perspectives that can come from youth that are important and so i built a culture where age is not really a factor in anything that we do because that's important to me but i have experienced it before that's an interesting example you brought up about japan i actually just got back from japan myself

the challenging the fresh the kind of new perspectives that can come from youth that are important and so i built a culture where age is not really a factor in anything that we do because that's important to me but i have experienced it before that's an interesting example you brought up about japan i actually just got back from japan myself

Good morning, Vince, or good evening.

Good morning, Vince, or good evening.

I would say that it is an interesting business in the sense that we field a lot of interesting questions that come across as ignorance issues. But in reality, most of the time are simply a lack of exposure or experience working with cultures abroad. Our team is over is, I think, 76 percent women. So it's a very dramatically different ratio than most companies, even at the leadership level.

I would say that it is an interesting business in the sense that we field a lot of interesting questions that come across as ignorance issues. But in reality, most of the time are simply a lack of exposure or experience working with cultures abroad. Our team is over is, I think, 76 percent women. So it's a very dramatically different ratio than most companies, even at the leadership level.

That is true. And I'll give you an example of this. A guy came to us a few years ago and he said, look, I love an EA Plus. I'm really struggling with the operations, my business. I run an investment company. But he really needs to be a guy because I think my wife really wants it to be a guy. And that was a new one for me in terms of gender preferences.

That is true. And I'll give you an example of this. A guy came to us a few years ago and he said, look, I love an EA Plus. I'm really struggling with the operations, my business. I run an investment company. But he really needs to be a guy because I think my wife really wants it to be a guy. And that was a new one for me in terms of gender preferences.

We oftentimes have had clients say, you know, I would like, and this is a real thing that happens. People say they're going to be interfaced with clients. So I'm a, you know, an attractive woman. Yay. Plus.

We oftentimes have had clients say, you know, I would like, and this is a real thing that happens. People say they're going to be interfaced with clients. So I'm a, you know, an attractive woman. Yay. Plus.

We don't entertain the clients that come to us with those kinds of requests, because again, there's the more innocent type of preference, which is to say, look, I'd really want a guy because I, you know, I think I'm going to have problems with my wife, even though not whatever, but that's fine. We can work with that. If you're coming to us and saying, I want an attractive woman. Yay.

We don't entertain the clients that come to us with those kinds of requests, because again, there's the more innocent type of preference, which is to say, look, I'd really want a guy because I, you know, I think I'm going to have problems with my wife, even though not whatever, but that's fine. We can work with that. If you're coming to us and saying, I want an attractive woman. Yay.

we're not going to be working with you because that's a ridiculous request and something of a disrespectful request as well. We value people's abilities, not how they look, not what gender they are, not where they come from, not even how old they are.

we're not going to be working with you because that's a ridiculous request and something of a disrespectful request as well. We value people's abilities, not how they look, not what gender they are, not where they come from, not even how old they are.

I will say we have some of our best EAs that work for us two to three years of experience, but they are smart, they are driven, they are capable, they are talented, and they deliver in ways that some of our folks that have ended 12 years of experience don't.

I will say we have some of our best EAs that work for us two to three years of experience, but they are smart, they are driven, they are capable, they are talented, and they deliver in ways that some of our folks that have ended 12 years of experience don't.

The only thing I would say around age is we have actually found that in a lot of instances, because our clients are startups, if people have been in the workforce for too long, i.e. 15 to 20 years, they will not succeed in the environment that they will be in, not because they're not talented, not because they aren't smart and hardworking, but because if they are not successful,

The only thing I would say around age is we have actually found that in a lot of instances, because our clients are startups, if people have been in the workforce for too long, i.e. 15 to 20 years, they will not succeed in the environment that they will be in, not because they're not talented, not because they aren't smart and hardworking, but because if they are not successful,

very familiar with using a huge suite of online technologies and working in a fully remote environment, it's incredibly difficult to adjust. And that does affect their ability to do well in oceans.

very familiar with using a huge suite of online technologies and working in a fully remote environment, it's incredibly difficult to adjust. And that does affect their ability to do well in oceans.

Yeah, and the reason I think it's important to talk about college is it's something that people are increasingly not interested in doing these days. Also worried about whether or not it's going to help them get a job, not get a job, waste of money, waste of time. For me, I just wanted to spend four years studying something that was interesting to me.

Yeah, and the reason I think it's important to talk about college is it's something that people are increasingly not interested in doing these days. Also worried about whether or not it's going to help them get a job, not get a job, waste of money, waste of time. For me, I just wanted to spend four years studying something that was interesting to me.

Yeah, as a default, we don't entertain preferences. People don't get to come to us and say, look, I want this gender or that gender. I want this type of thing or that type of thing. They come to us with a job description and we provide talented individuals who are capable of filling that job description now.

Yeah, as a default, we don't entertain preferences. People don't get to come to us and say, look, I want this gender or that gender. I want this type of thing or that type of thing. They come to us with a job description and we provide talented individuals who are capable of filling that job description now.

They might come with a years of experience preference, and I think that is legitimate because it allows for an approximation of knowledge and skills that no other metric can really capture. That being said, we might say, look, I know you asked for eight years of experience, but here's someone with four who should really be able to do this job, and that's the person we will present.

They might come with a years of experience preference, and I think that is legitimate because it allows for an approximation of knowledge and skills that no other metric can really capture. That being said, we might say, look, I know you asked for eight years of experience, but here's someone with four who should really be able to do this job, and that's the person we will present.

I would say, first of all, I was incredibly privileged to be able to just go to school to study literature because I like literature. I don't think a lot of people have that option. And so if you can do that, great. If you can't, which I think is most people, they're really thinking about what is going to pay my bills because college is so expensive.

I would say, first of all, I was incredibly privileged to be able to just go to school to study literature because I like literature. I don't think a lot of people have that option. And so if you can do that, great. If you can't, which I think is most people, they're really thinking about what is going to pay my bills because college is so expensive.

To your international listeners, they may not be familiar with this problem. It is a definitively United States issue that the expense of a four-year degree is close to a quarter of a million dollars. more. You're suddenly looking at this, okay, it's costing me $250,000 to go to college. I can't come out and be making something that pays me $30,000 a year, taking me 10 years to pay this back.

To your international listeners, they may not be familiar with this problem. It is a definitively United States issue that the expense of a four-year degree is close to a quarter of a million dollars. more. You're suddenly looking at this, okay, it's costing me $250,000 to go to college. I can't come out and be making something that pays me $30,000 a year, taking me 10 years to pay this back.

So I studied literature, and a big part of my journey has just been Following what was interesting in the moment and not necessarily thinking about my career as a series of points on a line that I had to achieve, which I think a lot of people do, and it actually might have served to hurt people more than it helps them. So I studied literature in school.

So I studied literature, and a big part of my journey has just been Following what was interesting in the moment and not necessarily thinking about my career as a series of points on a line that I had to achieve, which I think a lot of people do, and it actually might have served to hurt people more than it helps them. So I studied literature in school.

It's a uniquely US phenomenon. My advice to people is

It's a uniquely US phenomenon. My advice to people is

is this is a really uncertain time traditional career paths are broken people are not just going to a four-year degree and then going to work their way up at a company and getting a nice salary and buying a house and doing all the things that used to be the milestones of success and you shouldn't go into this with the expectation that is going to be true

is this is a really uncertain time traditional career paths are broken people are not just going to a four-year degree and then going to work their way up at a company and getting a nice salary and buying a house and doing all the things that used to be the milestones of success and you shouldn't go into this with the expectation that is going to be true

I also don't like to push people towards entrepreneurship. I think very few entrepreneurs succeed, and it can be a really damaging endeavor. It can cost people money. It can cost people relationships. It can cost people, most importantly, time. So I don't really recommend that people do that just carte blanche. What I would say is... Most importantly, don't be afraid of taking the wrong step.

I also don't like to push people towards entrepreneurship. I think very few entrepreneurs succeed, and it can be a really damaging endeavor. It can cost people money. It can cost people relationships. It can cost people, most importantly, time. So I don't really recommend that people do that just carte blanche. What I would say is... Most importantly, don't be afraid of taking the wrong step.

That's the thing I see most frequently in young people today. They get analysis paralysis and they look at the world and they're trying to plot their career out 10 moves ahead. And I will tell you that used to work. There used to be a framework where you could say, okay, I'm going to go to this college. I'm going to get this degree. I'm going to go to law school. I'm going to work at this firm.

That's the thing I see most frequently in young people today. They get analysis paralysis and they look at the world and they're trying to plot their career out 10 moves ahead. And I will tell you that used to work. There used to be a framework where you could say, okay, I'm going to go to this college. I'm going to get this degree. I'm going to go to law school. I'm going to work at this firm.

I'm going to achieve this. And if I just hit these milestones, I know what my life will be like. We live in an age of chaos and upheaval that is not anything familiar to any of us that are younger than 50 or 60 years old.

I'm going to achieve this. And if I just hit these milestones, I know what my life will be like. We live in an age of chaos and upheaval that is not anything familiar to any of us that are younger than 50 or 60 years old.

in these times you can't plot your course and so you shouldn't be afraid of making a wrong move you should call your instinct all what feels right and constantly be adjusting and recalculating for the things that are important to you in life and not the things that you think should be important to you or you're told are important to you

in these times you can't plot your course and so you shouldn't be afraid of making a wrong move you should call your instinct all what feels right and constantly be adjusting and recalculating for the things that are important to you in life and not the things that you think should be important to you or you're told are important to you

Because there might be moments in time where you feel like you made the wrong decision. You're at the wrong job. You took the wrong choice. But ultimately, a door might open as a result of that leads you to a place where you are very happy that wouldn't have opened if you hadn't made that quote unquote wrong choice. So keep moving forward.

Because there might be moments in time where you feel like you made the wrong decision. You're at the wrong job. You took the wrong choice. But ultimately, a door might open as a result of that leads you to a place where you are very happy that wouldn't have opened if you hadn't made that quote unquote wrong choice. So keep moving forward.

Don't let yourself be afraid of decisions and just push the envelope and keep recalibrating as you advance through your career.

Don't let yourself be afraid of decisions and just push the envelope and keep recalibrating as you advance through your career.

I think enough change is called chaos.

I think enough change is called chaos.

I went to grad school for international policy because I loved interacting with people from all over the world. I had lived in Asia for a little while, studied abroad in Japan. And that brought me to work with a Japanese asset manager who was investing in venture funds in the U.S. And that was quite a cross-cultural experience.

I went to grad school for international policy because I loved interacting with people from all over the world. I had lived in Asia for a little while, studied abroad in Japan. And that brought me to work with a Japanese asset manager who was investing in venture funds in the U.S. And that was quite a cross-cultural experience.

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I would just say I think it's the important work you're doing here. People, too many of the podcasts that I listen to are about how to hack your way to success, are about practical advice on how to build a certain type of business, how to buy real estate. We've gotten to a place in content where

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I would just say I think it's the important work you're doing here. People, too many of the podcasts that I listen to are about how to hack your way to success, are about practical advice on how to build a certain type of business, how to buy real estate. We've gotten to a place in content where

Where it's all about tactical advice that you might pay for or take a course on or something like that. And of course I'm generalizing, but I guess my point is it's refreshing to have a microphone to a topic that is more about how to guide people's lives through change. And for people listening who are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, tactical advice doesn't really help.

Where it's all about tactical advice that you might pay for or take a course on or something like that. And of course I'm generalizing, but I guess my point is it's refreshing to have a microphone to a topic that is more about how to guide people's lives through change. And for people listening who are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, tactical advice doesn't really help.

Hearing just holistically and qualitatively about the human experience in times of change, I think is a really reassuring thing. So I just want to applaud the work you did, Vince.

Hearing just holistically and qualitatively about the human experience in times of change, I think is a really reassuring thing. So I just want to applaud the work you did, Vince.

Speaking Japanese, I was something of a translator, both linguistically and culturally. And that was my first exposure as someone who had a pretty mundane academic background to venture and startups and technology and flashy growth and lots of money and millions of dollars in financing. And it's hard not to... feel the allure of that world.

Speaking Japanese, I was something of a translator, both linguistically and culturally. And that was my first exposure as someone who had a pretty mundane academic background to venture and startups and technology and flashy growth and lots of money and millions of dollars in financing. And it's hard not to... feel the allure of that world.

If anyone's been in it, been around it, seen it, it's exciting. So naturally I left banking. I went into venture capital and became an investor at a firm in New York. Spent some time there, very rewarding, met a lot of great people. But of course the thing that happens when you're young and in venture is you always look at the entrepreneurs who are building companies and you say, wow,

If anyone's been in it, been around it, seen it, it's exciting. So naturally I left banking. I went into venture capital and became an investor at a firm in New York. Spent some time there, very rewarding, met a lot of great people. But of course the thing that happens when you're young and in venture is you always look at the entrepreneurs who are building companies and you say, wow,

What am I doing? I'm just moving money around. These people are building stuff. I want to do that. It looks like so much fun. And then if you do it, you realize it's just a lot of pain and suffering until it's great and rewarding. But from the inside, it seems fun. So I took the leap. I became CEO of a company called Newspix, which I built over a year and a half before it was acquired.

What am I doing? I'm just moving money around. These people are building stuff. I want to do that. It looks like so much fun. And then if you do it, you realize it's just a lot of pain and suffering until it's great and rewarding. But from the inside, it seems fun. So I took the leap. I became CEO of a company called Newspix, which I built over a year and a half before it was acquired.

Then worked for the acquiring company for a number of years doing new products. And then I launched a second company in the gaming space. It was a total failure, shut down, didn't work out the way I'd hoped. And then I launched Oceans and that brings us up to today.

Then worked for the acquiring company for a number of years doing new products. And then I launched a second company in the gaming space. It was a total failure, shut down, didn't work out the way I'd hoped. And then I launched Oceans and that brings us up to today.

Yes, I had a professor actually in my undergrad, and he was a Buddhist priest, and I took some of his classes. I studied with him at his temple. I eventually went to Japan to study more about Buddhism. It was a really interesting time of exploration for me, and it was a transformative period for sure.

Yes, I had a professor actually in my undergrad, and he was a Buddhist priest, and I took some of his classes. I studied with him at his temple. I eventually went to Japan to study more about Buddhism. It was a really interesting time of exploration for me, and it was a transformative period for sure.

You can't encounter that ideology and that level of spirituality without it leaving its mark on yourself, I think.

You can't encounter that ideology and that level of spirituality without it leaving its mark on yourself, I think.

For me, the first thing was it helps to shape yourself as a leader. I think Buddhism has a lot, whether or not you follow it to a daily extent, has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business. And I say that because it is at its core a method of grounding yourself. true honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.

For me, the first thing was it helps to shape yourself as a leader. I think Buddhism has a lot, whether or not you follow it to a daily extent, has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business. And I say that because it is at its core a method of grounding yourself. true honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.

And running a business, being an entrepreneur, being a founder, it's chaos. It's just chaos constantly from the second you start till the second you end, if you ever do. And having those teachings at the back of my mind, I believe have allowed me to navigate some difficult situations that have occurred and set my tone as a leader and as an entrepreneur. I also think that

And running a business, being an entrepreneur, being a founder, it's chaos. It's just chaos constantly from the second you start till the second you end, if you ever do. And having those teachings at the back of my mind, I believe have allowed me to navigate some difficult situations that have occurred and set my tone as a leader and as an entrepreneur. I also think that

Anytime you are exposed to working with a truly attempting to understand some cultural aspect that is vastly different from the one you experienced as a child or growing, or as the dominant part of the society you live in, you... Gain an ability to interact with different people from all over the world that for me as a global business person, as a global entrepreneur is incredibly important.

Anytime you are exposed to working with a truly attempting to understand some cultural aspect that is vastly different from the one you experienced as a child or growing, or as the dominant part of the society you live in, you... Gain an ability to interact with different people from all over the world that for me as a global business person, as a global entrepreneur is incredibly important.

It's a good question. I would say probably nothing so noble as your other guests. I... I have just personality traits that have pushed me in these directions. I think for one, I find it incredibly difficult to work for other people. I'm not a good employee. I don't follow directives well. And so that sort of forced me down a path of entrepreneurship. And I had to make the most of that.

It's a good question. I would say probably nothing so noble as your other guests. I... I have just personality traits that have pushed me in these directions. I think for one, I find it incredibly difficult to work for other people. I'm not a good employee. I don't follow directives well. And so that sort of forced me down a path of entrepreneurship. And I had to make the most of that.

I also am not really concerned about I think there's a tendency, especially I talk to young people today. They're always comparing themselves. They'll go on LinkedIn. They'll look around. They say, oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president here. And that's, you know, two levels ahead of me, even though we graduated the same year. My life is ruined.

I also am not really concerned about I think there's a tendency, especially I talk to young people today. They're always comparing themselves. They'll go on LinkedIn. They'll look around. They say, oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president here. And that's, you know, two levels ahead of me, even though we graduated the same year. My life is ruined.

I'm not on track to be successful. I worry about a lot of things in life. I'm a very anxious person. I worry a lot, but I have never really worried about my career. I have just thought, pursue the thing that is most interesting and trust your instincts and it'll work out. And so far, at times that has felt correct. And at times I felt, oh boy, I've really messed this up.

I'm not on track to be successful. I worry about a lot of things in life. I'm a very anxious person. I worry a lot, but I have never really worried about my career. I have just thought, pursue the thing that is most interesting and trust your instincts and it'll work out. And so far, at times that has felt correct. And at times I felt, oh boy, I've really messed this up.

I think part of it is I'm just not really calculating whether or not this is a good idea. I really just trust myself. And there's a lot of people who love working inside, like just being there cozily, a small cog inside of a large company. And that's where they feel good and happy. And that's what makes them feel safe and successful. And they should pursue that.

I think part of it is I'm just not really calculating whether or not this is a good idea. I really just trust myself. And there's a lot of people who love working inside, like just being there cozily, a small cog inside of a large company. And that's where they feel good and happy. And that's what makes them feel safe and successful. And they should pursue that.

For me, it was always the opposite. I wanted independence. I wanted to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. I've always had a lot of ambition. And so I really put that at the forefront of my decisions around career and transformation. But I always want to be experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to new places.

For me, it was always the opposite. I wanted independence. I wanted to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. I've always had a lot of ambition. And so I really put that at the forefront of my decisions around career and transformation. But I always want to be experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to new places.

And the only way to do that in a lot of instances is to do it yourself.

And the only way to do that in a lot of instances is to do it yourself.

My role model.

My role model.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

I think there's a couple of reasons. One, and I of course should get this out of the way, there's a lot of ethos in entrepreneurship and startups in America that you're, specifically that you're building something to build and to scratch a niche and do those kinds of things.

I think there's a couple of reasons. One, and I of course should get this out of the way, there's a lot of ethos in entrepreneurship and startups in America that you're, specifically that you're building something to build and to scratch a niche and do those kinds of things.

And there's a stigma around saying, hey, I saw an opportunity to make a very profitable business that would be successful and make a lot of money. And I try to tell people, you don't need to hide that as a motivation. It's okay to say, I want to be successful, not in the size of my company or the amount of funding I've raised, but that I want to build a business that makes money.

And there's a stigma around saying, hey, I saw an opportunity to make a very profitable business that would be successful and make a lot of money. And I try to tell people, you don't need to hide that as a motivation. It's okay to say, I want to be successful, not in the size of my company or the amount of funding I've raised, but that I want to build a business that makes money.

And I personally want to become successful. And I saw that opportunity here. And that's not a small part of it. In addition to that, for me, this was an opportunity to bring a lot more people who are building businesses into the unique experiences I had around working with people all over the globe.

And I personally want to become successful. And I saw that opportunity here. And that's not a small part of it. In addition to that, for me, this was an opportunity to bring a lot more people who are building businesses into the unique experiences I had around working with people all over the globe.

and develop a positive viewpoint of how the interconnectivity of people and cultures can help support a business's growth in ways that were just not possible before. And so it's an exciting new frontier. There is a lot of change. But what was most interesting to me was the receptiveness of a lot of companies in America to working with folks around the world in a way that wasn't there before.

and develop a positive viewpoint of how the interconnectivity of people and cultures can help support a business's growth in ways that were just not possible before. And so it's an exciting new frontier. There is a lot of change. But what was most interesting to me was the receptiveness of a lot of companies in America to working with folks around the world in a way that wasn't there before.

And I saw, given my experiences, a unique role for myself and for my company to play a guide as this kind of new age of global talent dawned.

And I saw, given my experiences, a unique role for myself and for my company to play a guide as this kind of new age of global talent dawned.

It's very simple. Our company focus is on highly skilled global talent. We are an agency that hires folks mostly in Sri Lanka currently, but soon all over the world. These are highly skilled college educated professionals. They are interested in working with unique people. companies around the world and our client base works with us to bring these people into their teams as embedded team members.

It's very simple. Our company focus is on highly skilled global talent. We are an agency that hires folks mostly in Sri Lanka currently, but soon all over the world. These are highly skilled college educated professionals. They are interested in working with unique people. companies around the world and our client base works with us to bring these people into their teams as embedded team members.

Even though they work for Oceans, they spend every day, 40 hours a week with their client, working for their clients on various things. For the long term, the roles that we mostly fill are in operations and admin, so specialized and highly skilled virtual assistants that we call EA+, marketing roles and finance roles. We have over 300 clients who work with us.

Even though they work for Oceans, they spend every day, 40 hours a week with their client, working for their clients on various things. For the long term, the roles that we mostly fill are in operations and admin, so specialized and highly skilled virtual assistants that we call EA+, marketing roles and finance roles. We have over 300 clients who work with us.

And so they come to us to hire really talented, well-educated, smart people, but at a 80% less cost than it would be to hire them in the U.S.

And so they come to us to hire really talented, well-educated, smart people, but at a 80% less cost than it would be to hire them in the U.S.

Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's also important to mention that a lot of people that work for us, they're getting to access... We work with some of the top e-commerce companies in the world, some of the top AI startups in the world. They're getting to access... such incredible opportunities and learn from businesses that would be completely inaccessible otherwise for them.

Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's also important to mention that a lot of people that work for us, they're getting to access... We work with some of the top e-commerce companies in the world, some of the top AI startups in the world. They're getting to access... such incredible opportunities and learn from businesses that would be completely inaccessible otherwise for them.

And I think in a way we are opening doors on both sides and that is a great business. Everybody wins and I haven't built a business before where everybody was like really happy all across the board and that's been really rewarding.

And I think in a way we are opening doors on both sides and that is a great business. Everybody wins and I haven't built a business before where everybody was like really happy all across the board and that's been really rewarding.

The important thing to know about me is that I am inherently skeptical. I'm something of a cynic. I think the value of being involved in the tech community to a large extent, but also in many other industries around the world. And so I have a healthy amount of skepticism when I hear the tech industry's claims about AI and things like that.

The important thing to know about me is that I am inherently skeptical. I'm something of a cynic. I think the value of being involved in the tech community to a large extent, but also in many other industries around the world. And so I have a healthy amount of skepticism when I hear the tech industry's claims about AI and things like that.

My feeling is undeniable that the technology is impressive and important. I would argue that as with most great technologies, The adoption curve is going to be much longer than people expect. If you look back toward everything from VR to autonomous vehicles, the predictions around when it would change the world were always too short. I think we are at a stage where

My feeling is undeniable that the technology is impressive and important. I would argue that as with most great technologies, The adoption curve is going to be much longer than people expect. If you look back toward everything from VR to autonomous vehicles, the predictions around when it would change the world were always too short. I think we are at a stage where

AI is going to be an augmentative solution for much longer than people think before it is a full solution in any part of the roles that we fill for businesses. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be specific roles that can be done fully by AI, but I suspect that it will be augmentatives for longer than people think.

AI is going to be an augmentative solution for much longer than people think before it is a full solution in any part of the roles that we fill for businesses. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be specific roles that can be done fully by AI, but I suspect that it will be augmentatives for longer than people think.

Yeah, and I also think not only is the adoption curve longer than people expect, there's different types of businesses that will adopt faster than others. If I look at some of our most cutting-edge startup clients, they are already using AI in very sophisticated ways inside their businesses.

Yeah, and I also think not only is the adoption curve longer than people expect, there's different types of businesses that will adopt faster than others. If I look at some of our most cutting-edge startup clients, they are already using AI in very sophisticated ways inside their businesses.

If I go look at some of our clients that own landscaping businesses or that own storage companies, they're not really using it at all. So... I think what we will see is a fast adoption by the always fastest adopters, which are startups, but a much longer tail adoption for other businesses over time.

If I go look at some of our clients that own landscaping businesses or that own storage companies, they're not really using it at all. So... I think what we will see is a fast adoption by the always fastest adopters, which are startups, but a much longer tail adoption for other businesses over time.

It's an interesting question. I have experienced it at various points in my career, and I'm also not experienced at all in various points in my career. So an example of this is I worked a lot in Japan, and the Japanese professional structure is extremely hierarchical.

It's an interesting question. I have experienced it at various points in my career, and I'm also not experienced at all in various points in my career. So an example of this is I worked a lot in Japan, and the Japanese professional structure is extremely hierarchical.

your age is almost the most important thing about you your ideas your initiative your drive your success your track record plays a somewhat minor role in your ability to succeed inside large organizations relative to tenure which is another way of saying age and so

your age is almost the most important thing about you your ideas your initiative your drive your success your track record plays a somewhat minor role in your ability to succeed inside large organizations relative to tenure which is another way of saying age and so

Good morning, Vince, or good evening.

Good morning, Vince, or good evening.

In societies like that, I encountered something that caused me frustration and put me on the path to entrepreneurship, which was you're not looking at my ideas and my results. You're looking at how old I am. That was something I couldn't personally tolerate. Now I became a CEO when I was 26. I had a team of 30 people.

In societies like that, I encountered something that caused me frustration and put me on the path to entrepreneurship, which was you're not looking at my ideas and my results. You're looking at how old I am. That was something I couldn't personally tolerate. Now I became a CEO when I was 26. I had a team of 30 people.

By the time we exited the company, most of my leadership team was 10 years plus older than me. And I worried about that sometimes, but it never manifested itself. I think nobody ever saw really age. And today I am still the youngest person on our leadership team at Oceans, but it's pretty varied and pretty diverse, both in terms of gender and in terms of age. And. It's a great thing.

By the time we exited the company, most of my leadership team was 10 years plus older than me. And I worried about that sometimes, but it never manifested itself. I think nobody ever saw really age. And today I am still the youngest person on our leadership team at Oceans, but it's pretty varied and pretty diverse, both in terms of gender and in terms of age. And. It's a great thing.

You have a lot of perspectives that are extremely experienced. There is some knowledge and decision-making and instincts that just come with experience, which is another, again, way of saying age. But there's also... the challenging, the fresh, the kind of new perspectives that can come from youth that are important.

You have a lot of perspectives that are extremely experienced. There is some knowledge and decision-making and instincts that just come with experience, which is another, again, way of saying age. But there's also... the challenging, the fresh, the kind of new perspectives that can come from youth that are important.

And so I built a culture where age is not really a factor in anything that we do because that's important to me, but I have experienced it before.

And so I built a culture where age is not really a factor in anything that we do because that's important to me, but I have experienced it before.

I would say it is an interesting business in the sense that we field a lot of interesting questions that come across as ignorance issues. But in reality, most of the time are simply a lack of exposure or experience working with cultures abroad. Our team is over is, I think, 76 percent women. So it's a very dramatically different ratio than most companies, even at the leadership level.

I would say it is an interesting business in the sense that we field a lot of interesting questions that come across as ignorance issues. But in reality, most of the time are simply a lack of exposure or experience working with cultures abroad. Our team is over is, I think, 76 percent women. So it's a very dramatically different ratio than most companies, even at the leadership level.

That is true. And I'll give you an example of this. A guy came to us a few years ago and he said, look, I love an EA Plus. I'm really struggling with the operations of my business. I run an investment company. But he really needs to be a guy because I think my wife really wants it to be a guy. And that was a new one for me.

That is true. And I'll give you an example of this. A guy came to us a few years ago and he said, look, I love an EA Plus. I'm really struggling with the operations of my business. I run an investment company. But he really needs to be a guy because I think my wife really wants it to be a guy. And that was a new one for me.

In terms of gender preferences, we oftentimes have had clients say, you know, I would like, and this is a real thing that happens. People say they're going to be interfaced with clients. So I'm a, you know, an attractive woman, EA plus.

In terms of gender preferences, we oftentimes have had clients say, you know, I would like, and this is a real thing that happens. People say they're going to be interfaced with clients. So I'm a, you know, an attractive woman, EA plus.

We don't entertain the clients that come to us with those kinds of requests, because again, there's the more innocent type of preference, which is to say, look, I'd really want a guy because I, you know, I think I'm going to have problems with my wife, even though not whatever, but that's fine. We can work with that. But you're coming to us and saying, I want an attractive woman. Yay.

We don't entertain the clients that come to us with those kinds of requests, because again, there's the more innocent type of preference, which is to say, look, I'd really want a guy because I, you know, I think I'm going to have problems with my wife, even though not whatever, but that's fine. We can work with that. But you're coming to us and saying, I want an attractive woman. Yay.

Yeah, and the reason I think it's important to talk about college is it's something that people are increasingly not interested in doing these days. Also worried about whether or not it's going to help them get a job, not get a job, waste of money, waste of time. For me, I just wanted to spend four years studying something that was interesting to me.

Yeah, and the reason I think it's important to talk about college is it's something that people are increasingly not interested in doing these days. Also worried about whether or not it's going to help them get a job, not get a job, waste of money, waste of time. For me, I just wanted to spend four years studying something that was interesting to me.

We're not going to be working with you because that's a ridiculous request and something of a disrespectful request as well. We value people's abilities, not how they look, not what gender they are, not where they come from, not even how old they are. I will say we have some of our best EAs that work for us, two to three years of experience.

We're not going to be working with you because that's a ridiculous request and something of a disrespectful request as well. We value people's abilities, not how they look, not what gender they are, not where they come from, not even how old they are. I will say we have some of our best EAs that work for us, two to three years of experience.

But they are smart, they are driven, they are capable, they are talented, and they deliver in ways that some of our folks that have 10 to 12 years of experience don't. The only thing I would say around age is we have actually found that in a lot of instances, because our clients are startups, if people have been in the workforce for too long, i.e. 15 to 20 years,

But they are smart, they are driven, they are capable, they are talented, and they deliver in ways that some of our folks that have 10 to 12 years of experience don't. The only thing I would say around age is we have actually found that in a lot of instances, because our clients are startups, if people have been in the workforce for too long, i.e. 15 to 20 years,

They will not succeed in the environment that they will be in, not because they're not talented, not because they aren't smart and hardworking, but because if they are not very familiar with using a huge suite of online technologies and working in a fully remote environment, it's incredibly difficult to adjust. And that does affect their ability to do well in oceans.

They will not succeed in the environment that they will be in, not because they're not talented, not because they aren't smart and hardworking, but because if they are not very familiar with using a huge suite of online technologies and working in a fully remote environment, it's incredibly difficult to adjust. And that does affect their ability to do well in oceans.

Yeah, as a default, we don't entertain preferences. People don't get to come to us and say, look, I want this gender or that gender. I want this type of thing or that type of thing. They come to us with a job description. And we provide talented individuals who are capable of filling that job description now.

Yeah, as a default, we don't entertain preferences. People don't get to come to us and say, look, I want this gender or that gender. I want this type of thing or that type of thing. They come to us with a job description. And we provide talented individuals who are capable of filling that job description now.

They might come with a years of experience preference, and I think that is legitimate because it allows for an approximation of knowledge and skills that no other metric can really capture. That being said, we might say, look, I know you asked for eight years of experience, but here's someone with four who should really be able to do this job, and that's the person we will present.

They might come with a years of experience preference, and I think that is legitimate because it allows for an approximation of knowledge and skills that no other metric can really capture. That being said, we might say, look, I know you asked for eight years of experience, but here's someone with four who should really be able to do this job, and that's the person we will present.

So I studied literature, and a big part of my journey has just been writing. Following what was interesting in the moment and not necessarily thinking about my career as a series of points on a line that I had to achieve, which I think a lot of people do. And it actually might serve to hurt people more than it helps them. So I studied literature in school.

So I studied literature, and a big part of my journey has just been writing. Following what was interesting in the moment and not necessarily thinking about my career as a series of points on a line that I had to achieve, which I think a lot of people do. And it actually might serve to hurt people more than it helps them. So I studied literature in school.

I would say, first of all, I was incredibly privileged to be able to just go to school to study literature because I like literature. I don't think a lot of people have that option. And so if you can do that, great. If you can't, which I think is most people, they're really thinking about what is going to pay my bills because college is so expensive.

I would say, first of all, I was incredibly privileged to be able to just go to school to study literature because I like literature. I don't think a lot of people have that option. And so if you can do that, great. If you can't, which I think is most people, they're really thinking about what is going to pay my bills because college is so expensive.

To your international listeners, they may not be familiar with this problem. It is a definitively United States issue that the expense of a four-year degree is close to a quarter of a million dollars. more. You're suddenly looking at this, okay, it's costing me $250,000 to go to college. I can't come out and be making something that pays me $30,000 a year, taking me 10 years to pay this back.

To your international listeners, they may not be familiar with this problem. It is a definitively United States issue that the expense of a four-year degree is close to a quarter of a million dollars. more. You're suddenly looking at this, okay, it's costing me $250,000 to go to college. I can't come out and be making something that pays me $30,000 a year, taking me 10 years to pay this back.

It's a uniquely US phenomenon. My advice to people is is this is a really uncertain time. Traditional career paths are broken. People are not just going to a four-year degree and then going to work their way up at a company and getting a nice salary and buying a house and doing all the things that used to be the milestones of success.

It's a uniquely US phenomenon. My advice to people is is this is a really uncertain time. Traditional career paths are broken. People are not just going to a four-year degree and then going to work their way up at a company and getting a nice salary and buying a house and doing all the things that used to be the milestones of success.

And you shouldn't go into this with the expectation that is going to be True. I also don't like to push people towards entrepreneurship. I think very few entrepreneurs succeed. And it can be a really damaging endeavor. It can cost people money. It can cost people relationships. It can cost people, most importantly, time. So I don't really recommend that people do that just carte blanche.

And you shouldn't go into this with the expectation that is going to be True. I also don't like to push people towards entrepreneurship. I think very few entrepreneurs succeed. And it can be a really damaging endeavor. It can cost people money. It can cost people relationships. It can cost people, most importantly, time. So I don't really recommend that people do that just carte blanche.

What I would say is... Most importantly, don't be afraid of taking the wrong step. That's the thing I see most frequently in young people today. They get analysis paralysis and they look at the world and they're trying to plot their career out 10 moves ahead. And I will tell you that used to work. There used to be a framework where you could say, okay, I'm going to go to this college.

What I would say is... Most importantly, don't be afraid of taking the wrong step. That's the thing I see most frequently in young people today. They get analysis paralysis and they look at the world and they're trying to plot their career out 10 moves ahead. And I will tell you that used to work. There used to be a framework where you could say, okay, I'm going to go to this college.

I'm going to get this degree. I'm going to go to law school. I'm going to work at this firm. I'm going to achieve this. And if I just hit these milestones, I know what my life will be like. We live in an age of chaos and upheaval that is not anything familiar to any of us that are younger than 50 or 60 years old.

I'm going to get this degree. I'm going to go to law school. I'm going to work at this firm. I'm going to achieve this. And if I just hit these milestones, I know what my life will be like. We live in an age of chaos and upheaval that is not anything familiar to any of us that are younger than 50 or 60 years old.

In these times, you can't plot your course, and so you shouldn't be afraid of making a wrong move. You should follow your instinct, follow what feels right, and constantly be adjusting and recalculating for the things that are important to you in life and not the things that you think should be important to you or you're told are important to you.

In these times, you can't plot your course, and so you shouldn't be afraid of making a wrong move. You should follow your instinct, follow what feels right, and constantly be adjusting and recalculating for the things that are important to you in life and not the things that you think should be important to you or you're told are important to you.

I went to grad school for international policy because I loved interacting with people from all over the world. I had lived in Asia for a little while, studied abroad in Japan. And that brought me to work with a Japanese asset manager who was investing in venture funds in the U.S. And that was quite a cross-cultural experience.

I went to grad school for international policy because I loved interacting with people from all over the world. I had lived in Asia for a little while, studied abroad in Japan. And that brought me to work with a Japanese asset manager who was investing in venture funds in the U.S. And that was quite a cross-cultural experience.

Because there might be moments in time where you feel like you made the wrong decision. You're at the wrong job. You took the wrong choice. But ultimately, a door might open as a result of that leads you to a place where you are very happy that wouldn't have opened if you hadn't made that quote unquote wrong choice. So keep moving forward.

Because there might be moments in time where you feel like you made the wrong decision. You're at the wrong job. You took the wrong choice. But ultimately, a door might open as a result of that leads you to a place where you are very happy that wouldn't have opened if you hadn't made that quote unquote wrong choice. So keep moving forward.

Don't let yourself be afraid of decisions and just push the envelope and keep recalibrating as you advance through your career.

Don't let yourself be afraid of decisions and just push the envelope and keep recalibrating as you advance through your career.

I think enough change is called chaos.

I think enough change is called chaos.

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I would just say I think it's the important work you're doing here. People, too many of the podcasts that I listen to are about how to hack your way to success, are about practical advice on how to build a certain type of business, how to buy real estate. We've gotten to a place in content where

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I would just say I think it's the important work you're doing here. People, too many of the podcasts that I listen to are about how to hack your way to success, are about practical advice on how to build a certain type of business, how to buy real estate. We've gotten to a place in content where

where it's all about tactical advice that you might pay for or take a course on or something like that. And of course, I'm generalizing, but I guess my point is it's refreshing to have a microphone to a topic that is more about how to guide people's lives through change. And for people listening who are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, tactical advice is doesn't really help.

where it's all about tactical advice that you might pay for or take a course on or something like that. And of course, I'm generalizing, but I guess my point is it's refreshing to have a microphone to a topic that is more about how to guide people's lives through change. And for people listening who are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, tactical advice is doesn't really help.

Hearing just holistically and qualitatively about the human experience in times of change, I think is a really reassuring thing. So I just want to applaud the work you did, Vince.

Hearing just holistically and qualitatively about the human experience in times of change, I think is a really reassuring thing. So I just want to applaud the work you did, Vince.

Speaking Japanese, I was something of a translator, both linguistically and culturally. And that was my first exposure as someone who had a pretty mundane academic background to venture in startups and technology and flashy growth and lots of money and millions of dollars in financing. And it's hard not to... Feel the allure of that world.

Speaking Japanese, I was something of a translator, both linguistically and culturally. And that was my first exposure as someone who had a pretty mundane academic background to venture in startups and technology and flashy growth and lots of money and millions of dollars in financing. And it's hard not to... Feel the allure of that world.

If anyone's been in it, been around it, seen it, it's exciting. So naturally, I left banking. I went into venture capital and became an investor at a firm in New York. Spent some time there. Very rewarding. Met a lot of great people. But of course, the thing that happens when you're young and in venture is you always look at the entrepreneurs who are building companies and you say, wow.

If anyone's been in it, been around it, seen it, it's exciting. So naturally, I left banking. I went into venture capital and became an investor at a firm in New York. Spent some time there. Very rewarding. Met a lot of great people. But of course, the thing that happens when you're young and in venture is you always look at the entrepreneurs who are building companies and you say, wow.

What am I doing? I'm just moving money around. These people are building stuff. I want to do that. It looks like so much fun. And then if you do it, you realize it's just a lot of pain and suffering until it's great and rewarding. But from the inside, it seems fun. So I took the leap. I became CEO of a company called Newspix, which I built over a year and a half before it was acquired.

What am I doing? I'm just moving money around. These people are building stuff. I want to do that. It looks like so much fun. And then if you do it, you realize it's just a lot of pain and suffering until it's great and rewarding. But from the inside, it seems fun. So I took the leap. I became CEO of a company called Newspix, which I built over a year and a half before it was acquired.

Then worked for the acquiring company for a number of years doing new products. And then I launched a second company in the gaming space. It was a total failure, shut down, didn't work out the way I'd hoped. And then I launched Oceans and that brings us up to today.

Then worked for the acquiring company for a number of years doing new products. And then I launched a second company in the gaming space. It was a total failure, shut down, didn't work out the way I'd hoped. And then I launched Oceans and that brings us up to today.

Yes, I had a professor actually in my undergrad, and he was a Buddhist priest, and I took some of his classes. I studied with him at his temple. I eventually went to Japan to study more about Buddhism. It was a really interesting time of exploration for me, and it was a transformative period for sure.

Yes, I had a professor actually in my undergrad, and he was a Buddhist priest, and I took some of his classes. I studied with him at his temple. I eventually went to Japan to study more about Buddhism. It was a really interesting time of exploration for me, and it was a transformative period for sure.

You can't encounter that ideology and that level of spirituality without it leaving its mark on yourself, I think.

You can't encounter that ideology and that level of spirituality without it leaving its mark on yourself, I think.

For me, the first thing was it helps to shape yourself as a leader. I think Buddhism has a lot, whether or not you follow it to a daily extent, has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business. And I say that because it is at its core, a method of grounding yourself. true honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.

For me, the first thing was it helps to shape yourself as a leader. I think Buddhism has a lot, whether or not you follow it to a daily extent, has a lot of excellent teachings that are applicable to running a business. And I say that because it is at its core, a method of grounding yourself. true honesty in your reality and the potential of everything around you.

And running a business, being an entrepreneur, being a founder, it's chaos. It's just chaos constantly from the second you start till the second you end, if you ever do. And... Having those teachings at the back of my mind, I believe have allowed me to navigate some difficult situations that have occurred and set my tone as a leader and as an entrepreneur. I also think that

And running a business, being an entrepreneur, being a founder, it's chaos. It's just chaos constantly from the second you start till the second you end, if you ever do. And... Having those teachings at the back of my mind, I believe have allowed me to navigate some difficult situations that have occurred and set my tone as a leader and as an entrepreneur. I also think that

Anytime you are exposed to working with a truly attempting to understand some cultural aspect that is vastly different from the one you experienced as a child or growing, or as the dominant part of the society you live in, you... Gain an ability to interact with different people from all over the world that for me as a global business person, as a global entrepreneur is incredibly important.

Anytime you are exposed to working with a truly attempting to understand some cultural aspect that is vastly different from the one you experienced as a child or growing, or as the dominant part of the society you live in, you... Gain an ability to interact with different people from all over the world that for me as a global business person, as a global entrepreneur is incredibly important.

It's a good question. I would say probably nothing so noble as your other guests. I... I have just personality traits that have pushed me in these directions. I think for one, I find it incredibly difficult to work for other people. I'm not a good employee. I don't follow directions well. And so that sort of forced me down a path of entrepreneurship. And I had to make the most of that.

It's a good question. I would say probably nothing so noble as your other guests. I... I have just personality traits that have pushed me in these directions. I think for one, I find it incredibly difficult to work for other people. I'm not a good employee. I don't follow directions well. And so that sort of forced me down a path of entrepreneurship. And I had to make the most of that.

I also am not really concerned about I think there's a tendency, especially I talk to young people today. They're always comparing themselves. They'll go on LinkedIn. They'll look around. They say, oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president here. And that's, you know, two levels ahead of me, even though we graduated the same year. My life is ruined.

I also am not really concerned about I think there's a tendency, especially I talk to young people today. They're always comparing themselves. They'll go on LinkedIn. They'll look around. They say, oh, this person who went to my college is now a vice president here. And that's, you know, two levels ahead of me, even though we graduated the same year. My life is ruined.

I'm not on track to be successful. I worry about a lot of things in life. I'm a very anxious person. I worry a lot, but I have never really worried about my career. I have just thought, pursue the thing that is most interesting and trust your instincts and it'll work out. And so far at times that has felt correct. And at times I felt, oh boy, I've really messed this up.

I'm not on track to be successful. I worry about a lot of things in life. I'm a very anxious person. I worry a lot, but I have never really worried about my career. I have just thought, pursue the thing that is most interesting and trust your instincts and it'll work out. And so far at times that has felt correct. And at times I felt, oh boy, I've really messed this up.

I think part of it is I'm just not really calculating whether or not this is a good idea. I really just trust myself. And there's a lot of people who love working inside, like just being there cozily, a small cog inside of a large company. And that's where they feel good and happy. And that's what makes them feel safe and successful. And they should pursue that.

I think part of it is I'm just not really calculating whether or not this is a good idea. I really just trust myself. And there's a lot of people who love working inside, like just being there cozily, a small cog inside of a large company. And that's where they feel good and happy. And that's what makes them feel safe and successful. And they should pursue that.

For me, it was always the opposite. I wanted independence. I wanted to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. I've always had a lot of ambition. And so I really put that at the forefront of my decisions around career and transformation. But I always want to be experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to new places.

For me, it was always the opposite. I wanted independence. I wanted to pursue the things that I wanted to pursue. I've always had a lot of ambition. And so I really put that at the forefront of my decisions around career and transformation. But I always want to be experiencing new things, meeting new people, going to new places.

And the only way to do that in a lot of instances is to do it yourself.

And the only way to do that in a lot of instances is to do it yourself.

My role model.

My role model.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

I think there's a couple of reasons. One, and I of course should get this out of the way, there's a lot of ethos in entrepreneurship and startups in America that you're, specifically that you're building something to build and to scratch and itch and do those kinds of things.

I think there's a couple of reasons. One, and I of course should get this out of the way, there's a lot of ethos in entrepreneurship and startups in America that you're, specifically that you're building something to build and to scratch and itch and do those kinds of things.

And there's a stigma around saying, hey, I saw an opportunity to make a very profitable business that would be successful and make a lot of money. And I try to tell people, you don't need to hide that as a motivation. It's okay to say, I want to be successful, not in the size of my company or the amount of funding I've raised, but that I want to build a business that makes money.

And there's a stigma around saying, hey, I saw an opportunity to make a very profitable business that would be successful and make a lot of money. And I try to tell people, you don't need to hide that as a motivation. It's okay to say, I want to be successful, not in the size of my company or the amount of funding I've raised, but that I want to build a business that makes money.

And I personally want to become successful. And I saw that opportunity here. And that's not a small part of it. In addition to that, for me, this was an opportunity to bring a lot more people who are building businesses into the unique experiences I had around working with people all over the globe.

And I personally want to become successful. And I saw that opportunity here. And that's not a small part of it. In addition to that, for me, this was an opportunity to bring a lot more people who are building businesses into the unique experiences I had around working with people all over the globe.

and develop a positive viewpoint of how the interconnectivity of people and cultures can help support a business's growth in ways that were just not possible before. And so it's an exciting new frontier. There is a lot of change. But what was most interesting to me was the receptiveness of a lot of companies in America to

and develop a positive viewpoint of how the interconnectivity of people and cultures can help support a business's growth in ways that were just not possible before. And so it's an exciting new frontier. There is a lot of change. But what was most interesting to me was the receptiveness of a lot of companies in America to

working with folks around the world in a way that wasn't there before and i saw given my experiences a unique role for myself and for my company to play a guide as this kind of new age of global talent dawned for the audience who might not be familiar with your firm could you give us a quick rundown of what your firm does

working with folks around the world in a way that wasn't there before and i saw given my experiences a unique role for myself and for my company to play a guide as this kind of new age of global talent dawned for the audience who might not be familiar with your firm could you give us a quick rundown of what your firm does

It's very simple. Our company focus is on highly skilled global talent. We are an agency that hires folks mostly in Sri Lanka currently, but soon all over the world. These are highly skilled college educated professionals. They are interested in working with unique people. Companies around the world and our client base works with us to bring these people into their teams as embedded team members.

It's very simple. Our company focus is on highly skilled global talent. We are an agency that hires folks mostly in Sri Lanka currently, but soon all over the world. These are highly skilled college educated professionals. They are interested in working with unique people. Companies around the world and our client base works with us to bring these people into their teams as embedded team members.

Even though they work for Oceans, they spend every day, 40 hours a week with their client, working for their clients on various things. For the long term, the roles that we mostly fill are in operations and admin, so specialized and highly skilled virtual assistants that we call EA+, marketing roles and finance roles. We have over 300 clients who work with us.

Even though they work for Oceans, they spend every day, 40 hours a week with their client, working for their clients on various things. For the long term, the roles that we mostly fill are in operations and admin, so specialized and highly skilled virtual assistants that we call EA+, marketing roles and finance roles. We have over 300 clients who work with us.

Most of them are startups, but a lot of them are small businesses, services companies like law firms and accounting firms, doctor's offices, nonprofits, creative agencies. And for them, they may have holes in their business that they don't have enough money to hire a person in New York for $200,000 a year, but they still need the work done.

Most of them are startups, but a lot of them are small businesses, services companies like law firms and accounting firms, doctor's offices, nonprofits, creative agencies. And for them, they may have holes in their business that they don't have enough money to hire a person in New York for $200,000 a year, but they still need the work done.