Acknowledging that we live in an era of fast-moving modern technology, Andrew Thu, founder of MyLives, shares with Top 10 of Malaysia on how the internet is changing the way we live, think and communicate, but most importantly, the way we shop.
“Internet technology has prompted significant changes in many aspects of our lives, and it is most evident in the shopping culture. To put it simply, everything is changing on a global scale and one of the most important phenomenon surrounding it is shaping through e-commerce,” says Andrew Thu.
Growing up in Lahad Datu, Thu’s passion for business was instilled in him by his parents. “My parents ran several businesses back in those days and I was involved in most of them. On hindsight, I knew the importance of being your own boss even when I was in my primary school days. I particularly remember how I used to help them out in this small canteen, collecting payments from the customers, taking care of the shop, delivering packages and so forth. All that somehow gave me a taste of independence,” he recalls. “To me, running a business gives one an invaluable edge to survive in this tough world, and to be honest, I’ve never been employed,” says Thu with a hearty laugh.
At the tender age of 19, Thu was ready to show the world his capabilities. “I was eager to start my own business. To earn my own stripes, if you will. I’ve done every business imaginable. I was a salesman, I sold insurance and I even became a distributor for Sundrop beverages,” reveals Thu. “Whatever the public demands, I was there to supply.”
One particular business venture that caught his attention was e-commerce. “As the development of e-commerce starts to dominate the ecosystems of retail and hypermarket industries, it was clear that product sales are mainly concluded over the internet. I also noticed that physical retail stores are adversely affected by it, especially enterprises. This is what prompted me to start MyLives two years ago,” says Thu. Presently, MyLives bridges the gap between physical stores and the internet, creating a sustainable platform for consumers and vendors to build their desired lifestyle. “MyLives focuses on five distinct themes: health, love, leisure, living and wealth. It aspires to build its success by helping others succeed as well.”
To brand MyLives above other commercial online malls, the ambitious Thu brilliantly divided it into two parts – online and offline. “The online section consists of online stores and mobile apps. Consumers and clients can then interact with each other through real-time chat rooms, sharing among friends and family on what is trending and the like. The offline section, on the other hand, is something not many have heard of,” says Thu. He explains that the offline section is designed for partnered clients to accurately match online consumers with suitable products or services that will be delivered by offline retail stores.
Thu says that the essence of his Online-to-Offline concept is seen through the annual MyLives Beauty Pageant. “By organising this event, MyLives is able to help create awareness and new business models that connect the Offline-to-Online. Additionally, we aim to instil the MyLives spirit of appreciating a healthy and beautiful lifestyle as well,” he explains with a note of excitement in his voice. Thu also reveals that MyLives is also organising a short film contest. “As a successful entrepreneur, it is important for me to create the necessary opportunities to help nurture young local talents in the country. And I am pretty excited to see what they have to offer.”
As for who his idol in the business world is, Thu has nothing but praises for Jack Ma, the Chinese business magnate who founded the Alibaba Group. “I believe that in the near future, there will be many of such entrepreneurs and this is just the beginning of a new era. I must say things are going to get more interesting.”
