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David Wong, Oration Global | PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine | Volume 2 | Issue 4 | 2024
Oration Global is unwavering in its commitment to providing a comprehensive range of services, dedicated to helping business owners not just grow, but also secure the funding they need, and reduce costs. They value clients and their success is a top priority.
Oration Global was co-founded by David Wong, a seasoned marketer with 12 years of experience and operational expertise, and Carl Brodie, MA, CFP, a professional with a rich background in corporate tax planning, insurance, private equity, and working with high-net-worth families.
Oration Global is led by individuals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring the provision of comprehensive business advisory services.
The company serves its clients through its portfolio companies: OnticGrowth, a revenue-driven marketing firm; Oh Granted, which helps business owners secure government funding and commercial financing.
Additionally, Stone Owl Family Office, which focuses on wealth growth and preservation for business families through tax planning and various investment products.
Oration Global works with Canadian business owners of all sizes throughout the business lifecycle, from acquiring start-up capital to business growth to wealth preservation as they approach retirement.
Oration Global is not just a business advisory firm, but a community hub. The company takes pride in its expansive, specialized team and partnerships with numerous Canadian vendors, positioning itself as an 'air traffic control' for business solutions. Moreover, Oration Global actively engages the community by hosting events that provide a platform for showcasing the work of our team, clients, and partners
"We are fostering the growth of the OG Consortium, a vibrant networking and mastermind community, because we believe in the power of collaboration and shared success," shares David.
MEET DAVID
David Wong, the co-founder and managing partner of Oration Global, is a dedicated professional who oversees business development and operations within the organization, instilling confidence in his capabilities.
David's impressive track record includes two successful exits and a significant contribution to the Canadian economy through securing $52 million in government funding for business owners.
David's professional relationships are built on the cornerstone of trust, a value he holds dear. As a recipient of the 2 Comma Club award, he is a founding member of the OG Consortium and a member of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants.
In his free time, David enjoys golfing, fishing, reading, and indulging in whiskey. He frequently donates to various causes and aims to increase his community involvement.
IN HIS WORDS
"My entrepreneurial journey began in 2012 when I started working as a freelance photographer, focusing primarily on sporting events.
"However, by the summer of 2015, I realized that mixing money with my passion limited my creativity to what clients wanted.
"At the beginning, I was afraid of going all in and reinvesting in the business I had this scarcity mindset that I would lose the money if I did not start putting all my profits aside. This fear held me back and kept my business growth stagnant.
"Once I broke that mindset and understood that money is energy and flows, I realized that reinvesting profits into the business was not just a risk but a necessary step for growth. This shift in perspective was transformative By reinvesting strategically, I could improve operations, expand my product line, and enhance marketing efforts.
"I vividly remember the early days when every small victory felt monumental The first time I managed to fulfill an order seamlessly, the first positive testimonial from a satisfied client, the first time my podcast hit the Top 100 list on Apple Podcasts - these moments were the sparks that ignited my belief that I was on the right track. They were the proof I needed to see that my hard work and perseverance were paying off.
"One particular morning stands out to me. I was in Vancouver, sitting in my home office, and as I looked out the window, I felt a profound sense of calm and certainty The sun was shining, and for the first time, I was not overwhelmed by doubt or anxiety. Instead, I felt a deep sense of purpose and clarity. I realized that this journey, with all its ups and downs, was precisely what I was meant to do It was not a single event but a series of moments that led to this epiphany."
"Taking it back to 2012, I lived at home in Vancouver, navigating the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey and by 2015, I was bouncing back and forth between Toronto and Vancouver. This was a time of intense personal development and change. I even started hiding what I was doing from some friends and family, unsure how they would react to my unconventional path.
"In 2015, I launched my first real registered business, Ratchet M onkey Shop, an e-commerce store selling home and garden goods.
"I started this business on the floor of my cousin's apartment in Toronto to sustain myself in the city. Despite an initial hiccup of having to refund my first sale of an electric fireplace, I persevered and built Ratchet Monkey Shop into a top-rated store on eBay, generating $1 million in revenue within 18 months. However, as the market became more competitive, with every YouTube guru teaching people how to start their own e-commerce business, it became less lucrative. I sold it for some Bitcoin in 2017, riding the high of making my first seven figures.
"Parallel to my e-commerce venture, I began freelancing as a digital marketer in 2015. Despite knowing nothing about social media marketing, I secured my first client on UpWork. Determined to succeed, I submitted proposals, got the job, and learned on the go through Google and YouTube.
"This hustle led me to work with industry giants like Grant Cardone and Frank Kern and notable clients, including UBC, Shopify, Fairchild TV, and Modelo.
"I continued freelancing until 2019, juggling this work with studying, training with the Canadian Taekwondo national team, and working low-pay positions.
"My days were a blur of waking up at 4 AM to check my e-commerce store, attending classes, training or working after class, and working on my business during exam study times.
"In 2016, I started my first 'agency,' GeoFilters Plus, partnering with event planners and photographers to help clients design and host Snapchat geo-filters for events. However, I received cease and desist from Snapchat for using their yellow in my branding, so I shut down the business instead of rebranding.
"By 2017, I had moved back to Toronto, started working as a freelance videographer, and started dating Emily, an incredibly patient and supportive woman (who is now my fiancee). I focused on wineries in Niagara on the Lake and was a travel videographer for the North American Chinese Basketball Association.
"2018 was a pivotal year for me as I attended a podcast mastermind hosted by Jay Wong just one day after my grandmother passed away I vividly remember walking into the venue, knowing my life would change.
"I met Justin Tsui, who became my first mentor and introduced me to the 'Law of Attraction.' Although I did not have the money to invest in his program, I maxed my credit card - the investment paid off as my work and growth with JT led us to hit our first five-figure month within the year."
"Inspired, I launched my podcast, 'The Self Mastery Show,' documenting my journey toward becoming the best version of myself. The podcast quickly gained traction, becoming a ' New and Noteworthy' podcast and reaching the Top 100 list on Apple Podcast within the first week."
"In 2019, tired of freelancing, I co-founded a B2B marketing company to build a team around me We grew to an international team of 15, servicing clients in Canada, the USA, Australia, Singapore, and Germany. The pandemic lockdowns worked in our favour as business professionals sought to replace in-person networking with LinkedIn, where we were experts I gained valuable experience in operational management, people operations, and enterprise sales. We also ventured into government grants to help clients fund their investments with us. I sold the company at the end of 2023.
"In 2023, I became a co-founder and partner of Oration Global. In the past year alone, we have helped over 820 Canadian businesses access over $52 million in funding.
"At Oration Global, I focus on identifying and nurturing these high-impact partnerships to jumpstart our growth This involves investing time and resources into building strong relationships, understanding our partners' needs and goals, and finding ways to create win-win situations We collaborated on joint ventures, co-hosted events, and cross-promoted each other's services. By aligning our efforts, we achieved exponential growth that would not have been possible
"Additionally, I leveraged our successes to attract more high-quality partners. Sharing case studies, testimonials, and success stories helped demonstrate the value we could bring to potential partners. This credibility made it easier to form new alliances and expand our network.
"Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I have been fortunate to have incredible support from my family and various individuals who believed in me and helped me along the way including:
"Gary Vee helped me break past worrying about other people's thoughts His quote, "Ideas are shit, execution is the game," became a mantra for me.
"Alvin Pilobello was the first person I met when I joined a coworking space in Toronto. As a leadership coach focusing on meaningful conversations, Alvin has helped me think through business problems and navigate difficult conversations with my associates. His guidance has been invaluable in my personal and professional growth.
"Henry Zhu, my cousin, provided me with a place to stay when I moved to Toronto in 2015. I slept on the floor of his condo for a few months, and during this time, he showed me how to start my first e-commerce business. His support and mentorship were crucial in my early entrepreneurial efforts.
"I have started giving back by mentoring young entrepreneurs through organizations like Futurpreneurs and New Ventures BC. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to share my knowledge and insights with the next generation of business leaders.
"At Oration Global, we have developed a unique business model to help business owners secure financing, grow their businesses, and reduce costs. Our approach follows a company's natural progression from start-up to maturity. "What sets us apart is our philosophy against the "all-in-one" solution, where one business tries to offer everything under one roof."
"From my experience as a freelancer, I know that being a 'jack of all trades' often means being a 'master of none ' Instead, we have brought together three distinct businesses, each a master in its domain, to deliver exceptional value to our clients."
"Our consortium includes OnticGrowth for marketing, Oh Granted for government funding and commercial financing, and Stone Owl Family Office for wealth growth and preservation.
"Another unique aspect of our model is that our financing and cost-reduction services are 100% performance- based. Unlike others in the industry who charge a fee regardless of the outcome, we only make money if our clients successfully secure funding or save money.
"To drive Oration Global through the next two quarters, we are making a big push to focus our business generation efforts on established Canadian businesses generating at least $500,000 in revenue. We can provide the most substantial value to these clients, leveraging our expertise to drive significant growth and cost savings.
"Moreover, we are looking to expand our network of strategic partners. Building a robust network is crucial to delivering comprehensive, high-quality services to our clients. We seek partnerships with businesses and individuals who align with our vision and can enhance our value. This includes experts in various fields such as finance, marketing, legal, and operations who are as committed to excellence as we are.
"We are not holding back in our ambitions. Our task is straightforward and bold: We need connections with high-revenue businesses poised for growth and ready to benefit from our performance-based financing and cost-reduction services. Additionally, we seek introductions to potential partners who can complement our services and help us build an even more formidable consortium of experts.
"Together, we can transform Canada's business growth landscape and support, ensuring our clients achieve unparalleled success.
"By the end of 2025, our target at Oration Global is to help Canadian business owners access over $200 million in grants and financing. This substantial injection of funds into the economy will empower businesses to innovate, expand, and thrive. We are committed to playing a pivotal role in the growth and success of Canadian enterprises, ensuring they have the resources they need to reach their full potential.
"Looking ahead five years, we envision Oration Global and the OG Consortium becoming a premier business hub. Our goal is to create a vibrant ecosystem where business owners come to grow and access a comprehensive range of services. This hub will be a one-stop destination for financing, marketing, cost reduction, and strategic planning, all delivered by experts who are masters in their respective fields"
DAVID WONG, ORATION GLOBAL
