LUCY CHOW

POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG)INTERVIEW WITH:

LUCY CHOW (LC)

PGMAG: Lucy, so good to have you on today’sinterview with Lady Anita.

LC: Thank you! I am so pleased to be asked toshare any insights I may have for your audience.

PGMAG: Please briefly introduce yourself toour readers.

LC: I am focused on the innovation space, both in terms of supporting founders and as an investor. I represent the World Business Angels Investment Forum. We are an affiliated partner with the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion. I am the Secretary General, WBAF Global Women Leaders Committee and Investment Committee Chair, WBAF Angel Investment Fund.

I give my time to numerous initiatives. I am part of the Solidarity Circle, an Ambassador for Women In Games (WIGJ) and a Board member of #2022FemaleAngels. Our goal is to have a list of 2022 women who are/or want to become angel funders by the end of this year. This is because we know that female investors will tend to fund start ups founded by women/and or a diverse team of founders.

Importantly, I am excited to have my book coming out in May. The title says it all. Changing the Game: How Esports and Gaming are Redefining Business, Careers, Education and The Future.

PGMAG: You are a formidable force in the world of business, and our research shows a woman who uses fearless approach in dealing with challenges in order to achieve result. What are the ingredients of becoming a “global voice” in the marketplace?

LC: Importantly, to have a voice, one needs a platform. To be given a platform, you need people around you who are aware of who you are and what you stand for and they are willing to give you air time. That can be speaking at a conference, or writing an OpEd piece, or being interviewed on Television/Radio. I would suggest if anyone ever asks you to speak about causes you believe in, do it. Don’t let the ‘imposter syndrome’ stop you. It may be as simple as speaking to a group of middle school students, but being able to amplify a message to any audience is worthwhile.

I started precisely that way. Schools, universities and conferences. Over time, I have been fortunate enough to build a reputation as a subject matter expert in female advocacy, angel investing and so forth.

In summary, say yes when asked and start honing your messages.

Don’t fall victim to the imposter syndrome. And importantly, show through your social media that you are open to being asked to speak. Post yourself speaking at certain events and/or specify in your profile that you are open to speaking engagements.

PGMAG: What is your message for business owners who are caught in the web of the pandemic (covid-19)?

LC: Honestly, I spent most of my time on webinars during COVID advising business owners to focus on their cash flow. Look at how you can pivot your business online/virtually. I think that is one of the most valuable pieces of advice. For example, a bakery started delivering the ‘ingredients’ with recipes of how to make cakes from the comfort of your home, because people were hunkering down with their kids 24/7. Small example, but you get the idea.

Some businesses had to lay off workers, but because we have a portfolio of companies we had invested in, we were able to deploy those laid off workers to another start up that needed staff. This was powerful and a great example of how investors are more valuable than just the money to invest!

PGMAG: Please tell us more about your business.

LC: My “business “ right now is representing the World Business Angels Investment Forum. Advocacy, if you will. Advocating for more people to think about investing in businesses/start ups. Entrepreneurs are the bedrock of every nations’ economy. Without funding, they never flourish, and economies never grow.

Once my book is published, I will spend time on promoting that because again the content is very relevant to investors.

If you believe in the future of work, then the gaming sector needs to be supported. The growth and opportunities is vast.

PGMAG: What/who inspired you to become a global investor?

LC: Genuinely the most amazing thing about being an investor is the interaction I get to have with entrepreneurs every day.

I always say there is nothing more fulfilling than helping someone realise their dream. Founders are the inspiration!

PGMAG: A lot of women sabotage their brilliance due to lack of self-esteem. If you were to hold a masterclass for such individuals, what topics would you cover in order to help them re-discover their confidence?

LC: Funny that I talked about imposter syndrome earlier on. Here are a few areas for starters:

1. Media Readiness -I truly believe it is important to find/take advantage of media that can help you amplify your message. Most of us are not natural public speakers. Even if you have done it often, there is always more to learn and additional ways to hone your confidence here.

2. Broadening Your Social Network – I read a fabulous piece recently that stated it is in fact, not your immediate circle of contacts that open up the most opportunities. It is in fact your secondary circle of connections and/or acquaintances. Fascinating. Therefore, it’s important we all widen our networks beyond specific industries and/or sectors.

I believe if you focus on the above two, that will help lessen imposter syndrome. I am resigned to the fact that I will always have some form of this. Not sure why. I would think it’s because I never feel like I could possibly know it all. That I always have something to learn from others. That’s got to be a positive way of framing ‘imposter syndrome’, right?

PGMAG: What are the top three books that changed your life?

LC: I was an avid reader as a kid and I am still in love with books. I actually don’t know that there were any specific books that changed my life, but rather it was because of books that the wider world opened up to me. But let me recommend three books if that is alright.

1. Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg. Fabulous insights as to how social infrastructure, such a public libraries, can help fight inequality and the decline of civic life.

2. Who You Know by Julia Freeland Fisher with Daniel Fisher. Basically discussing how important it is for students to expand their networks and relationships!

3. My Ideal Bookshelf edited by Thessaly La Force. This almost part art book as the editor asked over 100 creative people from around the world to select a shelf of books that represent you…each two page spread includes the explanation from the person interviewed and then the artists rendition of said the bookshelf. Fabulous!

PGMAG: What are the keys to becoming an investor, and what should one avoid whilst considering such journey?

LC: Two points here: 1. Start small. Every investor starts somewhere. My first angel investment was USD5K.

2. Find an angel network, or connect with other people who are already investing. Angel networks/ associations will open your horizon. You need to speak with other investors, in order to learn about the eco system. different. However, an angel invests in start ups at an early stage. This means the chance of you never seeing a return and/or losing your investment altogether is high. That is why it’s important to grow a portfolio of at least 10 investments, with the hope that at least one will be a home run. Invest only what you can afford to lose.

PGMAG: Finally, what would you say to your younger self?

LC:

I actually feel that I am who I am today because I took the leap of faith to move across the world to live and work in another country. The expat life is not for everyone, but it has been the one that I have chosen and I am extremely grateful for every opportunity.

Therefore, I would say to my younger self, take a chance early on. Apply for a scholarship and try to get into a university that was not in Canada. Or once you graduate, spread your wings and start looking for work overseas immediately. The world is a big place and if things do not work out, you always can come home. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say.

PGMAG: Thank you so very much for your time.

LC: I so enjoyed our time together. Thank you for having me!

PGMAG: Please share your link with us.

LC: There are numerous ways to connect with me: Insta: lucychowdxb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/lucylschow/ Website: lucychow.com