Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
Welcome to the Victory Show.
Hey, victors. Welcome to this episode of the Victory Show. If this is the first time you're joining us, I'm Travis Cody, best selling author of 16 books. And I've had the privilege of helping hundreds of business consultants, founders and entrepreneurs publish their own bestselling books as well. And in that journey, I've discovered a really fascinating pattern. A lot of businesses hit a revenue plateau, usually around a million dollars a year, and they struggle to break through it. So on this show, I sit down with some of the world's most successful CEOs, leaders and business owners to uncover the strategies they used to overcome those plateaus and scale their businesses to new heights and more importantly, how you can do the same. So get ready for some deep insights and actionable takeaways that you can implement in your life and business, starting now. My guest today brings a global perspective to building wealth, investing smart and scaling opportunity. Hanco is a venture capitalist and commercial real estate investor with an international background and a sharp eye for growth markets. Through his work with the USA Co Group, Han is helping shape the future of venture investment and real estate development, blending strategic capital with a global mindset. So whether he's investing in promising startups, starting spearheading major real estate projects, he's focused on creating long term value and bridging opportunities across industries and borders. So today we're going to dig into his approach to venture investing, especially how he spots emerging opportunities and what it takes to succeed in a world that's more interconnected and as a result, more competitive than ever before. So, Han, welcome to the show. Thanks for being here so much.
[00:01:44] Speaker B: Thank you. It's my pleasure and honor to be here.
[00:01:48] Speaker A: I love the fact that we get to have somebody here that's got a global perspective.
I think sometimes American business owners get in this little bubble of like, the American economy is the only thing, and we sort of Forget that there's 8.7 billion other people on the planet that aren't in America.
So let's talk a little bit about your journey. How I'm always fascinated by someone, especially someone who ends up in venture capital.
[00:02:16] Speaker B: What?
[00:02:16] Speaker A: How did you get there? Did that choose you? Or were you somebody at a young age? You know, you saw Wolf of Wall street and you were like, that's it. I'm gonna, I'm gonna be like that guy. I'm gonna be in charge of the money.
[00:02:28] Speaker B: Well, good question. Actually, my simple answer to the question is both ways. So my journey started as a engineer. Actually, I am I was born in South Korea, immigrated to USA when I was young and I grew up in Southern California area and I majored in engineering, actually computer science, electrical engineering to the exact.
And then I did a degrees in, you know, undergrad and graduate degrees in that field. And one, one of the factor that really helped me out to where I'm at now is that I was benefited by this daikon boom. You know, I'm sure some people remember that daikon boom. So I majored in something called, you know, signal processing, which means a part of telecom industry now.
So I worked in the industry for a while because my degree and my, you know, my graduate degrees actually thesis was in that field. So I worked in that and then dot com boom happened. And frankly I didn't know what the dot com boom was at the time. I was right in the middle of it. I was just busy working as a young engineer, engineering background, guy who just tried, you know, make a career doing my best. And I was doing my best. So I just worked, worked hard. Actually my, you know, one important is one important aspect of my life is that work ethics. So my parents taught me that hey, somebody pay you 100 bucks, make sure you do 120 worth of work. I go why? And then my parents tell me that, well that's what Tisha do. So okay, you know, I become part of me. So you know, I'm working hard, I was not afraid and I'm not still afraid working hard, you know, get my feet wet, you know, if I have to. So that's me. So you know, I was pretty hard worker. And then they helped me to give me a lot more opportunity. And one of the opportunities were, was the seeing the, the landscape of technology change during the dot com boom.
So make the long story short, I was working in a telecom industry. I saw opportunity to come up with a software product, software platform to be exact, that these companies need, telecom companies need.
So I saw the opportunity and I left the industry and pursue my dream. In a way, actually not in a way to be exact, it is American dream. I didn't know I was pursuing American dream, but it was American dream. Is American dream still. Anyway, so I followed the my heart, I left the company, I. I came up with the algorithm, wrote software and sold the company. So we call it now, you know, exit. At the time I was just selling, I was doing my best. So I went through that as a young engineer with the entrepreneur, you know, desire and ambition, I was able to do that. And then one of the things that I Now when I look back, one of the things that I was really benefited by is the gain.com boom. So one thing I know this program is kind of share my background, my, you know, how I, how I, what I did right and what I did wrong. Right. And I want to share that with.
[00:05:50] Speaker A: You is yes, of course. We want to know the mistakes along the way and how you overcame them. Because so many businesses run into problems and you know, so many people then quit and move into something else, so.
[00:06:00] Speaker B: Right, exactly. So that my point is that again, at that time, you know, roll back about 30 years ago, I do not, I did not know that I wasn't right in the middle of it. I was grasping the, the opportunity as a right time, but it was right time. It's timing. So first advice to people is that do not miss the opportunity. To be honest, when I, if I sat on that thing again, I had a good paying, comfortable job with a good career going. Okay. I was told that I'm going to become a senior vice president. One of the youngest one in the, in the organization.
Yeah. But I had to quit.
And it was hard decision because, you know, who would want to quit the, you know, good paying and good career track job. Right. Especially you're happy with it too.
[00:06:47] Speaker A: But did your, did your parents panic? They're like, oh no, what are you doing?
[00:06:51] Speaker B: Yeah, of course everybody tried to talk me out of it. My father, who is not in IT field, he, I mean, he's a commercial investor, which I'll probably get to in a few minutes. But. So he knows the business, but he did not know it. He thought that, you know, you worked hard, you're crazy. And a lot of people around me, including my boss, thought that, you know, you got your career going, why try to leave? But I'll be honest, it was hard decision. I had to set on it for a while. But you know, at the end of day, my parents told me that my especially my father showed me that it was a struggle for at least few months of time that hey look, should I follow my heart? Should I follow my head? Right? It was kind of that, that decision making, you know, story. So my father told me, hey look, I'll support you.
You know, he knows that he was very strict man, by the way. So, you know, he, he really didn't tell me what he thinks in real friendly way, you know, in. In his own way. But at the time comes down to important decisions. He told me, hey look, I support you. I think you're gonna regret if you don't follow your heart this time. So he said, I know you're a good guy. And then, you know, you're good sons. You're gonna, you're gonna, you're gonna do the something good with your life. So I trust you. So go ahead, do that. So it was a big decision. It was good, big decision. But it was a good support from my family, which is good. And also along with, you know, people around me, with my friends, who knows what I was going through in my head and yeah. So anyway, so it's good support system.
Nothing really systematic, but it's more like friends and family. At the time, at the time, the Star World Entrepreneur program entrepreneur ecosystem was not like what we have now. It was not a systematic. Sure, yeah, it's a. But then also at the time it was. I one, one thing I knew was that there's a lot of money was around. So you know, when I look back, I follow. I'll be honest with you. I followed the money.
So you know, I actually somebody asked me, well, how come you go into a IT field in right time if you say was in a, say control systems in a dot com boom. That didn't really work that well. But I just followed the money because I, when I went to graduate school, I decided to find the advisor who got the most money happened to be in that telecom field because it was most money. Right. I did not know I was a, you know, so in a way those factors are. The industry chose me because I just followed the money. That's how I did it. So I'll be honest with you. When I was younger, I did not know what the, you know, telecom industry we're gonna. What kind of, what kind of opportunity telecom industry will present to me. But anyway, so yeah, so that's definitely.
[00:09:25] Speaker A: A little bit opposite of how it feels the, the younger generation is today where they sort of, they pursue a degree for something that they think makes them happy, but there's, you know, no opportunity for it on the end. And you're like, where is the best opportunity? And, and then, then those open to you.
So. But take me through like you walk away from the company you start you now obviously because of working in the telecom that gave you the insights to realize there's this huge need because you kind of were seeing behind the scenes of, you know, things that weren't being solved.
Walk me through what it was like kind of launching, going out and launching your own company because you said like you started it and then you exited. What was that window like how long did that take you?
[00:10:05] Speaker B: Well, that window is about. About a 12 month, roughly about 14 months. And then because you know, again, timing.
[00:10:12] Speaker A: Sure.
[00:10:13] Speaker B: When I was, when I decided to follow my heart leaving the company, I had to come up with the algorithm because again I could not be a part of the company become big corporate, you know, corporate America because they're going to. There's intellectual property, you know, claims, you know, involved. Right. So I had to resign myself which was one of the most difficult part that I had to do because I'm putting my career on hold. Right. Remember I'm an engineer. I was an engineer. So if I put on my career on hold for six months, usually it takes two years to catch up, which means a big dent on my career. Right? Yeah. So but then, but then I did know that. I did know that the telecom industry is.
Was going through a huge Internet traffic growth.
Right. And so like you know, dot com, a lot of devices getting created and then your servers and then computers are adding, added to the network and mobile device starting high demand. So it was just like.
Luckily I was in a field where I see that the signal processing was the field that I was able to see. In other words. Right. So I was one of the guy who has insight that hey, this technology is going to trend this way and generate this much Internet traffic which in turn will require product like this, which industry did not have. So that was my opportunity. So I left the company. I wrote a Software in about 12 months time and I tested it. You know, so tested in it. I mean I made a lot of mistakes because one thing I did, I didn't, I did not know was that coming with, coming up with the algorithm. Writing a software is one thing, but testing it, testing with the production data is very vital to this.
You know, my cut clients, My clients were like a large cost billion dollar companies. And I was just one young guy who thought they knew the part, knew the industry. I knew some people in Nutri, but I did not know how the. What the billion dollar companies wanted. So I went into a lot of ran around a lot of circles to. To prove myself, prove my product to them and then eventually did. But one thing I learned was that the networking was very important because luckily I knew I never burned any bridges. So I knew a lot of people that were willing to help me out. Also timing again because by the time when I came up with a product, the industry was realizing that they need a product like mine. But I already filed a patent so they have to you know, go through me to Use my product. Right. So you know, timing and then also the respect. I mean in other words, retaining.
Securing your intellectual property. Those things I learned dearly. Because if I didn't, frankly, you know, I wouldn't be here now anyway. Yeah. So that's lessons I learned. And then.
[00:13:08] Speaker A: So you developed the processes and then you patented it. So by the time people caught up to where you are, they had to go through you because you had held the patent on it. So did that end up resulting in. Is that why you ended up selling the company? Because people wanted the patents so they just came and acquired the company for, for the intellectual property rights?
[00:13:26] Speaker B: That is correct. Yep. At the beginning I filed the patent, I sold the licenses of my software. But Internet traffic, the volume grew and they, they needed, they saw that the more and more license is required for their operation. So you know, they decide to.
They want to buy. So I sold it to High Speeder. They simply put.
Wow.
[00:13:48] Speaker A: Wow, that. I mean that's got to feel pretty good that, that, that point in your career.
So.
[00:13:55] Speaker B: Okay, I made it right? Yeah. I made it simple. But you know, when I selling it I again everything the first time. There's the first time for everything when I selling company. I never sold the company first time. Right. I made a lot of mistake. I can write a couple of books on that one too with, with Trebbis. But anyway, I, I don't, I don't.
[00:14:11] Speaker A: Know what not to do when you're selling your first company.
[00:14:13] Speaker B: Exactly. What not to say, what not to do, what to do. I mean I can, I can come up with. Don't have the whole scenario. One thing I remember did was that I always try to get on radar on these billion dollar companies and it's really hard because there is a, like an innovation, you know, acquisition unit in each these big companies and I need. They're not engineers a lot of times. Right. They're what their job is. They go out there looking for big companies. I'm not big companies. The high tech companies that's going to bring value to their company and I need to get on their radar sometime somehow. And I could not get on their radar because I just taking a wrong approach. You know, I had an office in San Francisco and then I, I did, I, I hosted event. You know, but everybody's hosting event. You know, I'm a small guy in the block, right. So I couldn't really, you know, my name, my company was not known well. So I mean but I know my company is.
It's a basically serving the Infrastructure of this big companies, I know they need it, but I just could not get on. So I actually went out and then I did all kinds of stuff. But I found out that you know, doing an actual driving around spotting a billboard, you know, remember? And back then digital marketing was not, you know, prevalent. So a lot of people actually still use up, you know, the paper and then also look at the billboard. So I ran around, I find spotted a billboard and then I use that one. So you know, what I did was I actually find out that where the. Where the. Those the acquisition unit branches are offices are. I actually drove into their parking lot and then I figured out that what's their. Who roughly worked there and then what's their salary level. So I know their line of movement when you get home, right? When you leave from the office, go home and you leave the parking lot. And then they'll take a turn right to get on the highway. And then you see the line of sight that there's a billboard. I want that one. You know, that's how I went far. So I actually rented those and then that's. I targeted their office. They did not know. But I speak targeted. They're off. Those people who work in this, you.
[00:16:17] Speaker A: Were, you were targeting geographically before anybody even knew what that was.
[00:16:21] Speaker B: Exactly. Yeah, there was. I was doing very targeting, you know, marketing. And then I Every. Every person passed by, I see it they not doesn't make sense. But I put elaborate Joe's choice of location and then also message for them. And then so they would call my office. I mean, you know, so that's how I admire like, you know, desperate marketing. And they worked. So. Yeah.
[00:16:44] Speaker A: All right, so you got the first business under your belt that does that boost your confidence? And you're like, okay, I can, I can do this again or where do you go from that point?
[00:16:54] Speaker B: Right. It was a tremendous boost because first actually was really good to a point where I was able to, you know, help my parents to pay off. You know, one of the, you know, commercial is the investor investment portfolio he owned. So I was able to work with him. And then. Yeah. Anyway, so from then on, you know, first exit. We call it exit, right? Selling selling company exit was really good. You know, I took some time off of course, and I realized that okay, well I don't have to work rest my life. And then I took some time off. But as a young person who worked really hard, who programmed to work and I didn't as an engineer, I We all trained to identify problem solve it. You know, it's part of. Become part of my team. So. So you can.
[00:17:40] Speaker A: It's the blessing and the curse, right? You just sold out, you don't have to work, but then you're like, but there's a new problem. Let me fix it.
[00:17:46] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, that's exactly what it is. Yep. Blessing, curse. Yep. So I mean, I. I took. I mean, it was about three months of retirement and then I came back. So the way that worked out, second work is that when I came back, you know, I. A lot of people in. In my field was all doing their own. Own, you know, startup in a way, because everybody got their own idea, right. When I came back, I had time, so. And these are my friends and I know the technology, so I joined in to help them out as they, like pro bono. Right. And then pretty. Pretty soon, you know, they run out of money and they look at me because I'm. I saw my company, they look at me. So I become investor. I mean. Yeah. So I mean, for me, it was not hard decision because the founder is my friend. I got involved early. So I know exactly what they're doing and then I know their weaknesses and strengths, you know, you know, in a way, SWAT analysis in my own way. And then all they need is a little cash and they get over the Death Valley. So I helped him out. I become a partner, and then again, you know, the second exit was good. So that's how I become a.
[00:18:55] Speaker A: You're almost like the accidental investor.
[00:18:58] Speaker B: Exactly. Yeah. So that's why, in that way, you know, the. The market found me because I didn't try to become a venture capitalist. And I'm getting. Frankly, I did not know, but somebody told me what you're doing is venture capital. Oh, okay. I learned, you know, so after that, you know, I learned a lot about. I mean, I did not know about finance. I did not about marketing. You know, I. I learned everything my own way. And then after a couple of those, I realized how much I did not know. You know, I mean, I did not know how to look at the ebitda. I don't even know what EBITDA means at the time. So I had to go back and study finance, you know, some accounting. You know, I have degree in engineering, but I. I was pretty great.
[00:19:35] Speaker A: You know, I just want to. I just want to stop for a second and just point out the.
Just the amazingness of the fact that you built and sold two companies. And that point, somebody saying ebitda and you're like, what is that?
[00:19:47] Speaker B: Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah, what's the ebitda? You know, I mean, I don't know how to run numbers, but yeah, what's the ebitda? Yeah, yeah. So I had to study, I had to study, seriously study all of those.
[00:19:56] Speaker A: Well, but this is what my point is. You had to study after you had already sold two companies, exited two companies. That's, that's what I, I find that humorous.
[00:20:04] Speaker B: Yeah, it is humorous. It is very humorous.
[00:20:08] Speaker A: So it sounds, I mean you have a remarkable ability to sort of see trends before they're happening. How is that just something that obviously is innate where you were at, but is that something that you still have? Are you like right now, are you working on investments for cool stuff that in three years people are going to say, hey, we need this?
[00:20:30] Speaker B: Yes, actually I, I'm constantly, you know, my mind is always racing and then tracking and following the trend and again in a way like following the money. Right, that's worked. Right.
Again, hey, I cannot guarantee even myself that it was always going to work, but I can only try with my best ability. Right. Based on my knowledge base and my, my, you know, experience. So yeah, so I mean basically that's what I did. And one thing I am currently tracking is that actually one thing I actually roll back, I'm going to share my experience. So sure. Not everybody talk about AI, right? And you know, couple of companies in AI field. We started about, one of the company I, you know, engaged in about seven years, six, seven years ago and we started locally and then we were doing well. But six, seven years ago the AI was not that popular. But we, so we saw that it may be coming. At the time we did not know, but I thought that it might be coming. So now we're doing really well. Its company name is actually in one of companies called the Native AI but where it's actually a AI based market data research company where they, you know, we're, we're doing really well. We serve multiple global companies and we moved headquarter to New York City. So yeah, we're working hard on that one. So that's one example that you know, as a, as a advice to people who has an entrepreneur and any kind of business.
My thing is first of all again, timing, you know, if I need to go seize the opportunity, if I miss it, the window, then it will not work. That's what I learned. And number two, my, what I learned was that, you know, keep good people around you. Okay people, you know, trustworthy people. And then I also, I learned, what I learned is that I need to open my mind, learn to list and listen and learn. Right. Because some people telling me a lot of times, a lot of things, a lot of people, a lot of times when I met people like startups, they're so focused and they're so highly laser focused and trained and knowledgeable. Sometimes they don't have time to listen and that's not the best way to practice. So that's what I learned. So, you know, I mean, those things will. Yeah, but you have to identify which is good advice for you, which is not. And that's important because, you know, if you take the wrong advice up, of course you're gonna, you know, basically you're going to burn a lot of time and money. Right. In your operation.
[00:22:59] Speaker A: Right. Was it.
Well, I'm blanking on his name who was Warren Buffett's training partner for all those years.
[00:23:08] Speaker B: Oh, right, right. Yeah.
[00:23:11] Speaker A: You know the name. I can see his face. I actually see his book. And I'm blanking on the name right now. But he. One of his famous statements was the. The most expensive advice you'll ever take is the wrong advice.
[00:23:22] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. Yep.
[00:23:23] Speaker A: That is.
Well, yeah, that makes sense to me especially. I know this landscape's changing a little bit now, but especially in the early to mid 2000s, most startups were, you know, bootstrapped by kids in their 20s with a big vision. And I just think back to the way I was in my 20s and yeah, like, I have my vision and that's my vision. And I'm not going to listen because this is my vision. So I can, I can see how you get in scenarios where they get their heads down and they're growing and they're like, no, I. You don't know what I'm doing. I'm doing this thing over here.
So that's interesting to get to the point where your ego can go, yes, I'm doing the thing. And what, what can you see that I can't see? Right. And I think that that's.
From what I understand, I've never been through the process myself, but that's one of the benefits of bringing on a venture capital partner. Right. Is that you can see things that they don't see and can help accelerate the growth and more importantly, help them avoid some of the pitfalls that. That could set them back.
[00:24:18] Speaker B: Exactly. Yeah. If you like. I look at it this way, the founder and the person in charge is going to be so busy, you look at the.
They have to have a tunnel vision. Right. You're going to look at the end of the tunnel and run. Okay. And a lot of times you don't have time to see what's on your right or left in your kind of hurdle. That's why you need the team right behind you looking at it. Hey, hey, wait. What's your right flank? There is a, you know, there is a, you know, hurdle there. You know, you got to avoid it or jump over. You know, those are, that's why I'm, I rec. I mean, I strongly recommend to look at, create a good team right from the beginning so you can actually work with them and then become a, you know, a good supporter for you. Okay. Right.
[00:24:59] Speaker A: All right, so let's, let's dive into a little bit about the, the financial aspects here then. For, for, let's say we're a startup company that's making half a million to a million a year.
Like what, what's the most important metrics for a company in that revenue range? What are the things they should be looking at daily from a financial standpoint?
[00:25:17] Speaker B: Right, good. Very good question. So first of all, I would make sure it's more like a financial projection. So as a company owner and founder, you know that what kind of run rate you have, Right. You know, you have a cash burn rate. So as a startup, you know, especially, you know, entrepreneur with the beginning at stage of operation, it's very vital to have your, your capital use the best way. Maximize the use maxim. The. Maximize the, the use of the. Your capital. Right. So extend your Runway as much as possible. So to do that, there's a few things you can consider. So number one, the location. You know, a lot of times the startups are, okay, I'm gonna, you know, go to Silicon Valley, which is great. You know, go to Silicon Valley, yeah, you get a lot more access of talent and then capital and stuff. But at the same time, things are very expensive. Okay. So you should consider other.
What is the priority that, hey, is it a location really vital to me, my industry or my solution or my value proposition to my customer is actually requires my presence in Silicon Valley or could I do it on other places like Midwest or East Coast? Okay. Those are very important factors because they can run because every company will run into, we call it Death Valley, right? So, you know, so you have to be prepared before you hit the Death Valley. Otherwise, you know, your very hard work and your dedication, passion will not be realized. So that's my advice.
[00:27:02] Speaker A: Well, and that's fantastic advice. And you know, I think again, you know, for the longest time Silicon Valley was The only place really that you could have that network. But now we're getting all these little hubs. Right. Silicon beach in Santa Monica. Austin's becoming a little tech bed. I know Nashville has got some stuff going on. Right. So it's interesting now that the, to your point where you're saying that one of the challenges and the benefits of business today is the fact the world is becoming more interconnected and how it's starting to spread these opportunities out. So let's talk a little bit about that because I, I know before we, we hit record and jumped on the show here, you were talking about how you have business in, in South Korea and you. That has allowed you to have a little bit more global perspective, especially of, of, you know, I guess the American economy in America, how America does business. Let's talk about that. I'm very curious as to the view from the outside in, especially when you were in it here and then now you've stepped out of it and are looking out on it.
[00:28:04] Speaker B: Right.
Actually very, that's very good question. Also important question at this day and age.
Let me start with my, my jo of direct involvement South Korean market.
Like I said, I'm bilingual. I'm bicultural person, actually. I'm, I'm multicultural, I should say. But I'm very comfortable with multiculturals. But anyway, I have an office in Kuriso, South Korea right now. Okay. I have a staff there. So I go back and forth few times, you know, every few months.
But one thing I learned throughout my journey is that we, meaning Americans, forget that we are the superpower economically especially. And a lot of people are watching us. Meaning that it's good and bad because it's good because we'll have a, if you. As a. When I, when I, when I leave, when I come back to my office in usa in my home, I feel comfortable because a lot of times, one of a privilege that I have is that a lot of people would, let me, simply put it this way, a lot of high talent, a lot of money willing to come into USA as long as we, we are willing to show them good faith to them. Okay. Right. Like for example, CES in January, cs. I'm. I'm at the CS every year.
CS means a consumer electronic show. You know, Vegas.
[00:29:28] Speaker A: Yeah, I live in Vegas.
[00:29:29] Speaker B: So I'm very well, right at your home valley right there. Yeah.
Yeah. So anyway, so I'm there every year as a speaker and then also, you know, the investment pitching judge and all of those.
Yeah. So every year when I go there I see the people from very promising, highly talented people coming in. Their goal is they want to expand or they want to relocate their operation into US Market because you know why? Because US is the gateway to the global market. They all know that.
Nobody was going to dispute that. So number one.
[00:30:05] Speaker A: We.
[00:30:05] Speaker B: Meaning, meaning that our American market, especially US Market has to be.
Have a mentality of embracing them. Because world is give and take. Okay? If we try to isolate ourselves, not isolate, but we, we try to.
What do you call more focused on our own advantage and benefit? Well, you know, world's give and take because that's like I said, right? So that's one thing I learned. And then also another thing that I learned is that what we do affect them dearly. For example, if we make a certain decision in a economic, global, economically global, global, economic sense, it actually affects them a lot more than we think. And a lot of times we don't think about that because a lot of countries, a lot of markets are depending on or intertwined with US Market quite a bit. So in other words, you know, all saying that if US Economy is sneezes, a lot of other markets are having a fever, you know, because that's what it is. They're heavily dependent on it. A lot of times people forget that. So, you know, we just have to conscious about ourselves in global perspective. So eventually, if you let me. It's kind of just almost like a joke. But if we sneeze and they, they have a fever week, I go out, I catch the fever, bring it back.
Right. So doesn't help. Right. Almost like it's not a, it's almost like a. I don't wanna, I'm not talking about actual, you know, biological.
[00:31:36] Speaker A: Sure, yeah, yeah. We're talking about business sense.
[00:31:38] Speaker B: Exactly.
[00:31:38] Speaker A: Do you have any specific examples of like.
I'm just gonna say like Vietnam. This, I'm just making this up. I don't know where that even came from. But like, like in, in terms of like our trade with Vietnam, like what's something that the US could do that could severely impact like the, the well, well being of Vietnam as a whole?
[00:31:59] Speaker B: Right, Vietnam. Well, how about this? Let's pick the South Korea. Okay.
[00:32:03] Speaker A: Okay, let's do that.
[00:32:04] Speaker B: I, I've been, I mean, I've been to Vietnam. I have great respect for them. But I've been to South Korea so many times and also I have office there, so.
[00:32:11] Speaker A: Well, how dare we talk about something you have experience with? I mean, geez, I should ask another question.
[00:32:18] Speaker B: Can have a better, a better share Of a better experience, a better explanation of my, my experience. I mean, great Vietnamese. I, I have a, I've been to Vietnam many times because of the investment purpose. Yeah, yeah, but, yeah, but anyway, But.
[00:32:33] Speaker A: South Korea works great.
[00:32:35] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. So for example, so South Korea is actually before this. I'm going to generalize the, my perspective advice. When you enter the market, you have to know what kind of economy, economic structure they have in really broad term. Also regional, specifically local term. Right. In South Korea, it's very export driven market. Okay. I don't know a lot of people or not, but this is 10th largest economy and very dynamic culture and the technology and investment thesis. Right. So if you know that, then when you go there, you kind of know what to do because you know, you try to go to export market, try to focus on selling yours, you only try to sell stuff to them, it's not going to work well because their economy, if they try to import, in other words, if their economy is not designed to import only, right. They have to export more. Because South Korea for example, don't have a. They only own the best capital they have is a capital, human capital. They don't have oil, they don't have a mineral resource and they don't have much other stuff, but they built it to 10th largest economy in the world by just owning human capital. So we have to know what they have, what they, what they don't have. Right. So in that way we can actually read their agenda before even they tell us. Right. So that's how I approach it. So that's one of the advice that I go there. Hey, look, you know, that's why whenever I entered the market, I studied.
When I went, before I entered Vietnamese market, I studied at least three years. You know, I've been there. Wow. First time. Yeah. I mean again, like I said, I try to build a business connection over there, there and then multiple ways and then. Yeah, So I mean, that's another whole topic again I can talk about. So yeah. Anyway, so entering new market and working with a new market is very, it's almost like an art form. Right. Because it takes a lot of different approach from language to culture to just, you know, their current economic trend. Right. You know, sometimes they follow what we do, sometimes they don't like follow what we do. And sometimes they are more close to our, you know, you know, economic adversaries in a way. Right, sure. Then you still have to work with them because you want to go in, be successful in your, what your operation, you have to work with them so it is a multiple perspective.
[00:35:01] Speaker A: Well, I think that, you know, obviously the, we were talking about this earlier too, right? The, just the global perspective in the culture and being savvy of the culture. And I think, you know, Hollywood is learning that the hard way they're trying to export their, their culture that, you know, big chunks of the, the planet don't necessarily appreciate. And, and, and, and they're, they're feeling that pain. Right. And it all stems from what you said. There's no understanding, there's no attempt to go there and study the market and see what's going on.
So that's fantastic. So from where you're sitting right now, like what, what, what are a couple of the opportunities, they're starting to kind of emerge right now. I know we talked about AI. Is it all in AI. Is there anything else that's going on right now that that's got you kind of excited as an investor?
[00:35:48] Speaker B: Yeah, so. Well, thank you for that question. I have a lot of exciting stuff going on and my life is full of excitement every day. So I'm, I'm, you know, I'm glad to, when I, in the morning when I open my, my eyes, I'm busy, but I'm glad that I'm, I woke up. Right? Yeah. So I'm, like I said, I'm hardworking.
The guy with the optimistic attitude, anyway. So first of all, AI is of course, that's one of the top priority in my book. And also blockchain, also healthcare and these are all the companies actually I do have already deep engagement as an investment and also advisor and then also actual chief officer role. Also the commercial real estate development is embracing a lot of technology.
One of the project that I'm engaged is called the Gateway south project is actually if you see my background arch. Right. St. Louis, Missouri arch, where I live and I have a home in other towns too. But this is considered my main home other than I grew up in LA. It's 100 acres right next to the arch right there. You see that in my background. And we're developing a project and we're trying to. This project we expect to create about 7 to 8,000 jobs next, about 8 to 10 years and about 100 acres right next to it. And then you create a innovation center, meaning that embracing high tech technology, basically we are creating a building, construction, design ecosystem in the whole district across 100 acres of land. And basically we're in a nutshell, we're trying to create a Silicon Valley of building, construction, design hub of the globe. Of the world. Okay. So but then that's doing it by embracing technology. Also training. Because in construction industry in usa, as everybody, everybody knows, we have a lack of talent. Right. You know, especially younger generation do not want to go, you know, this trade, especially trade skills. So every time when you go into big, big project, you have to train them quickly.
So innovation will support that process. Also having the center right there with the innovation will actually solve some of the problems that these large construction companies is faced with. Okay. So yeah, that's another project I'm pretty proud of. And I just happen to have a right arch right behind me and they happen to be.
[00:38:20] Speaker A: Yeah, that's pretty awesome. So how long have you been developing that project? Just out of curiosity?
[00:38:25] Speaker B: Yeah. This project was hosted by a company called Good Development Group, which I serve as a chief strategy officer.
Started about three years ago.
Our CEO.
[00:38:35] Speaker A: You guys are moving right along then in terms of development window. That's pretty fast.
[00:38:39] Speaker B: Yep, yep.
[00:38:41] Speaker A: So with blocks, with blockchain, what, what is it about blockchain that excites you?
[00:38:46] Speaker B: Right? So blockchain is another technology that I think that people will be paying more and more attention. The, the advantage of blockchain is the immutability, meaning that blockchain has the most. Blockchain is. Some people ask what is blockchain? Well, blockchain is I, I deliver multiple talks on this one. But you know, if I give a 30 seconds. Nutshell of what blockchain means is it's a baseline, underlying baseline technology that provides the immutability, meaning that it's a disputed ledger. So everybody can see how the technology, I mean how the transactions are occurred. So you cannot, you cannot modify or massage or you know, fraud any specific transaction because everybody knows about it. Right. So that's how it's kind of opposite of our traditional, you know, the belief anyway, so. And also the blockchain is actually have the advantage of traceability because if there is an event occur, they need to track back.
You can trace back to from the very beginning in a pretty quick way because of, you know, distribute again distributed a ledger concept. So and then there's a option, there's a concept called Smart Contract, right. Because there's a, you know, the series event all tied together and then one after another. So these are very high level and all sophisticated technique can bring a lot of value to the customers and who's looking for certain value. Value propositions, in other words. Yeah. Wow. I love it. Yeah. Wow.
[00:40:26] Speaker A: All right, so what does the next five years look for? Like for you and your, your groups.
[00:40:31] Speaker B: Well, yeah, so we, again, my, my goal is simple. We're gonna focus on, you know, like I said, I'm hard worker, I'm not afraid to work hard. So we're gonna stay on the project that we on. Right. You know, use that group and along with the other project that I'm working on, mostly in venture capital and commercial state development and investment.
But we also not going to miss out the upcoming opportunity. Meaning that I will, I will. I'm willing to spend my own, you know, my own, my own share of my time to look for the follow the trend. I know I don't set the trend I only can follow, but by doing so I could make a, what do you call it, the right decision in the future. Right. So that's actually what I like to do. It could be continuation of, you know, it could be a continuum of AI or it could be another technology or this innovation is going to be continually shape our economy and then our society in next upcoming decade. Right. So it could be, like I said, it could be AI, it could be blockchain, it could be any other quantum computing that I'm paying keen interest, that I'm paying keen attention right now. So those type of things that I'm studying. So for me, every day is learning opportunity. That's why I sleep less than read and then, you know, talking to people that knows more than me or even people who made a big mistake, you know, including myself. So I love to do that. So I love it.
[00:42:11] Speaker A: Well, you have a pretty good track record of spotting the trends already, so I think it's going to be good. All right. I always like to end every conversation with three questions, personal questions. So if you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
[00:42:26] Speaker B: Well, one advice is that I would run a little bit slower and then take a breath, Take a, take a breath and then look left and right. A lot of times in a way I'm still, you know, as you can see, I'm fast talking, you know, guy. And then, you know, just because I'm, I'm. That's part of, that's me. But I'm just a train and I like to set, goal, run, run for it. You know, that's how I trained and that's how I, I am. So I want to take a pause and look left and right and it will bring more value in my life and also avoid some of the mistakes, you know. So in other words, if I talk to, in other words, I mean, multiple mistake, multiple numerous mistakes of my life I know that I could have avoided if I talk to my people around me. And a lot of times I forgot that, you know, so I want to improve that if I can go back. So I love it.
[00:43:18] Speaker A: All right, so what belief or mindset do you feel has had the biggest impact on your success so far?
[00:43:25] Speaker B: It's. It's kind of paradoxical if I say this, but it's my attitude, you know, just set a goal and run for it. Okay. Again, like I said, I'm not afraid to get my feet wet. Right. You know, for example, if I, if I, you know, I'm a commercial investor, if I. There is a big project going on, my say roof, roof project on my commercial properties that I have, I'm not afraid to go up the ladder. A lot of times they fraud, surprise. They surprised that, oh, the actual owner with the owner show up. Well, I show up now actually last time I said the drone up there. But you know, now last time I still not afraid to go up. I show up, they don't know me, I'm owner. I just climb up the ladder and look. So just, you know, I'm thinking it's just, you know, working hard and go get an attitude without any. But I also, I try to show my full respect to people who work with me, who around me, so that I think as a human being, you know, showing my empathy and also respect to other people is the most important, important, you know, factor that I can exercise.
[00:44:32] Speaker A: So I, I love that. You know, one of my mentors was telling me he grew up in Dallas and he said he lived in a building, it was a, I think a 35 story high rise building, right. And he'd been there a number of years and they had had a maintenance man and the maintenance man was very friendly and he always saw him all the time. And um, and then his business, he finally got his business. He made his first million dollars and you know, his life was basically changed.
And that's when he found out that the maintenance man actually owned the entire building.
[00:45:05] Speaker B: What a story.
[00:45:06] Speaker A: And so then, and so then they had a story be behind it. When he was leaving, he asked the guy for some advice and he gave him some pretty interesting advice. But to your point, right, the, the guy had his, he, he had three or four buildings, but that was the first building he ever bought. And, and he had started in maintenance. And so he just, that was his. Like you said, he didn't, he didn't want to retire and not do anything. He liked being busy and so that was the way that he did it. So. All right, final question. What's the best investment that you've ever made in yourself?
[00:45:35] Speaker B: In myself.
[00:45:36] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:45:36] Speaker B: So actually best, Best investment is when I. This is happen. I should go back. I was, I was reader. I was reading a lot when I was younger.
So all those time when you read, you just don't read. Right. Sometimes you reflect on what you're reading. Oh, other people did this. Or even a novel. Right. You know, when you read a novel or some stories in your head, you always try to relate yourself to the story. Right. So those type. It's. I think it's a training. It was training because that helped me to understand other people's perspective quickly. Also read the market and then follow the trend, you know, also follow the money in a way. So I think that is something that I. Best investment I had because I was told that my, my, My, My mother. That you should read less. You know, which parent, which mother will tell you.
[00:46:29] Speaker A: I was gonna say, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that.
[00:46:32] Speaker B: I know. Yeah. I mean, I was a. To a point where I was sitting in. During summer. I was sitting, reading too long and I started having a rational. My butt. You know, my, My mom told me that, you know, look what you did. And then. Yeah, seriously. So, you know, I think that was the best investment in myself. And of course that habit did not just come naturally because, you know, my parents, of course I created my parents, my. My siblings who encouraged me to, to read more, you know, but it become a habit. So, yeah, it was a good investment that I did in my life.
I love it.
[00:47:02] Speaker A: All right, so somebody's listening to this episode, reading this chapter in the book and they love your. What you're doing and they, they want to get involved in. You know, maybe they've got a company and they're looking for an advisor or maybe they want to invest. Like, how do they find you? How do they get in contact with, with, you know, come into your ecosystem?
[00:47:20] Speaker B: Sure. So we just find me from LinkedIn, you know, or you could Google my company, my background. US USA KO Group. It's called. We pronounce it Useco Group. I'll. I'll help you to memorize it. USK Yousef Group, United States of America. KO My last name. Okay, so USA My last name and then group. And my name is even simpler. My first name is Han H A N, like Han Solo. And then last Mizaka said ko. So, like a boxing knockout, I'm always ready to go and, you know, win the. Win the market. Right? Ko, Right. Love it. You said go group. You'll find me, and then, you know, you will. Actually, I love to help anybody out and then have a chat with. Because I met the numerous people in the. In my tenure, in my life, more. A lot of them are very good people, and I. A lot of times, they. They approach me to seek advice from me, which I'm, you know, willing to give a lot of times. And then at the same time, I actually, I found out that I learned from them because, oh, there is a world like. Like this that I did not know that they did not have technology applied yet. You know, there's always an opportunity like that for me. So that's what I love about talking to new people and then I'm working with them.
[00:48:40] Speaker A: So, Han, this has been an awesome conversation. Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to be here. I really appreciate it.
[00:48:48] Speaker B: Thank you. Appreciate.
