One of my proudest moments as a mentor was with a former SRE I had the privilege of guiding. During the pandemic, we were both part of a layoff, a tough situation for many, but it turned out to be a pivotal moment in his life. He had always dreamt of building something impactful, but like many, he was hesitant to pursue his side hustle because it wasn’t paying the bills. It would’ve been easy for him to find another SRE role and stick to what was comfortable.
However, I encouraged him to follow his dreams and trust his gut. I reassured him that the layoff was a blessing in disguise — a make-or-break opportunity to finally push forward with his vision. He got creative and established an offshore development team to support nonprofits and startups develop mobile applications and websites, contributing to the brand name of what is now a global organization called Asian Hustle Network, with over 250,000 members. He took a bold step to help others, even when he still needed income himself.
”It’s not a side hustle or hobby for me. I think AHN needs to exist for our community to come together and make a difference”
In his journey I promoted a mindset of resilience, collaboration, and openness. There will always be ups and downs as that is part of the journey. I reminded him that there’s always a way to make money, especially when you’re passionate about something and stay focused. I encouraged him to reach out to potential investors and like-minded individuals for motivation, assuring him that his dream wasn’t just a hobby — it was something the world needed.
Today, he’s the founder and CEO of AHN, a thriving organization making a meaningful impact globally. His success is not only a testament to his determination but also a reminder of the importance of passion and perseverance in achieving one’s goals. Knowing that I played a part in helping him realize his potential is what motivates me to keep mentoring others and making a difference.
Passion drives success, and it’s stories like this that reinforce my belief in the power of guidance and belief in oneself.
