The JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2009

Last Saturday morning marked the first time in my life I ever wore a suit on a Saturday morning. It was the morning of the JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award Ceremony of 2009.

Princess came along with me as my spouse. 

When we registered, the people at the registration counter called me "Mr Nuffnang" and they called Princess "Tai Sou". Then they asked her how old she was and when she said her age they all went

"Wahh soo young!!!"

The truth was... we were both the youngest of the lot. I was the youngest of the Top 10 Finalists, some of which were Datuks and some of which had wives that reflected a "tai tai" or the "tai sou" that we all see sometimes around Bangsar. Of the 10 finalists, there was going to be 3 winners that would represent Malaysia in the JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award Worldwide. 

I was the youngest, but I also thought that I was probably the least successful of the lot.I mean the rest of them had listed companies and big names. We all made quite an entrance too. First they got everyone seated in the hall and then after did they call the names of one by one of the finalists to walk in while a spotlight illuminated the air around them.

Finally it was Princess and my turn and this is how we kinda ended up looking. 

Notice Princess' small figure right below the light. She so cute.

After we all got seated we went through like an hour of formalities. Speeches after speeches. You know the kind of speeches that went "Yang Berhormat Tan Sri , Datuk ... etc etc."

I left my camera with Jestina who was seated along with Nicholas, Kenny and some of the other Nuffies and I think they got bored. Well it started with Kenny camwhoring with my camera.

Then it went on to include more and more of them.

And there were more pictures that I will save them the shame of showing :)

Soon enough the time came to announce the Top 3 winners and to my surprise.... I was one of the 3 winners. The other two were Bob Chua of Pulse Group and Ganesh Kumar of MOL Access. Both entrepreneurs who had in some point in the past listed their companies and both far more successful than I was. I was really wondering what the hell I was doing up there.

Then it was time for me to give the short speech that I had prepared the night before and brought up to stage on a piece of paper" 

"First off, I have to thank JCI and the judges for giving me this very prestigious award.

I have a little confession though. I am just one person, one entrepreneur…. one 25 year old boy dressed in a suit.

I could not possibly be where I am today, if it were not for the people who supported me. These people were the ones who put me where I am today and these are the people whom this award collectively belongs to. I am merely accepting this award on their behalf.

So to both my parents, to my partner Ming, to my fellow colleagues in Nuffnang, to the wonderful blogger friends that I have made, to my clients and to my friend and mentors who have held my hand along the way.

Thank you for giving me the blessing of your blessing." - end of speech

Then after the other two winners gave their speeches we had a photo session.

This is us on stage. I'm the 3rd from the left. On my right is Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, the Founder of Country Heights and also the man responsible for building the Mines Resort. 

Then towards my left is Bob Chua, Ganesh Kumar and the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation (YB Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili).

After the photo session we each took turns to get interviewed by 8TV for the news segment. Look how awkward I looked. I'm not used to all the attention. 

After my awkward interview though, we all went for lunch and ended off our day :)

Let me end off with a picture of the KY, Cheng Leong, Kenny and the Nuffies.

Thank you for coming guys. And thank you for always supporting me.