Glenfiddich Where Next Club: Meet the Malaysian Mavericks

Tell us how you knew that, at even such a young age, being a violinist was what you wanted to pursue.

Josh Kua: Music has always been a significant part of my life, with tuition, practice, and performances, but it was the improvisation I learned through playing at church that allowed me to express myself more freely through music. I learned that this flow state, this ecstatic feeling, was something truly special. You know that feeling when you go to a concert and everyone is really vibing with the song? Now imagine being able to create this atmosphere for yourself and others. I’ve always known this will be one of the reasons I live for.

Tell us about your journey in getting FINOLOGY off the ground when there was no fintech.

Robin Ang: Hard work, consistency, perseverance, patience and many whisky sessions with the industry. In 2020, we pivoted our focus to B2B and launched Finology. We recalibrated and focused on developing customised solutions in embedded finance for financial and insurance institutions. This decision to shift our product and market has enabled Finology to solve more real-world problems not only for the finance and insurance industries but also for the property development and automotive sectors i.e. a home loan eligibility check that helps thousands of homebuyers conveniently.

Tell us about the art and science that go into realising what you had imagined them to be.

Jessica Ting: The beginning of my creative journey with Thy Studio was driven by a deep curiosity, thirst and passion for the design field. I was eager to learn more, explore, and make an impact. I am always intrigued by my surroundings, architecture, furniture, materiality, colours, lighting, and so on. I knew this was for me. There, I studied, moved from place to place, experimented, and worked from the ground up.  In my creative world, spaces are like blank canvases, offering endless flexibility. They provide me with the ultimate freedom to bring any idea that comes to mind to life.

Being able to create something beautiful, has to have a meaning behind it. A story to tell, an identity to be found and something functional to a person’s well-being. To me, being bold with colours, lighting and materials plays a huge visual and emotional aspect. Both art and science are interconnected and explore different aspects of human experience. Art is emotional, expressive and communicative. Science is more of an observation, experimentation and analysing the reason behind every design. Both to me serve their purpose and they overlap each other.

What were some of the challenges or setbacks that you faced and how did you overcome them?

JK: While the entertainment industry is highly competitive, navigating its PR landscape has presented some challenges. Honestly, I’m not sure if I have overcome these challenges so to speak, but I do cope by reminding myself to have a healthier mindset about it. As an artist, it’s hard to separate your identity from the artist identity that you commodify to make a living. My last single release, ALL A GAME, is about reminding myself that all of this career striving is ultimately just a game, and most importantly to just have fun with it.

RA: Introducing change and innovation is never easy. I believe deep perseverance and a relentless positive attitude are important. Other country’s success stories have always helped keep my mindset positively aligned with our goal.

JT: I was not mentally ready to start my entrepreneurial journey, as I had no background experience and knowledge in running a business. All I was confident and focused on was to keep creating, but I knew that I needed to learn all the shortcuts and smart ways to have a smooth and successful business before creating Thy Studio. To this day, my studio is still considered small and I like to keep it that way for now until I know that I am truly ready to take the next step forward. A strong mindset is essential for any business professional, but I believe that vulnerability is what allows me to gain a deeper understanding, to be able to feel and then develop strategic methods, and confront the outcomes effectively.

You went on to record music and explored modelling too later in life. How have your experiences encouraged you to continue pushing boundaries?

JK: Rejection and failure taught me resilience. Not having any real role models or support taught me independence and the value of innovation. I continue to push the boundaries of what an independent musician can do because I know no other way of existing and thriving in this space. As an artist I am always on my journey of self-discovery so as I push the boundaries of what I can do, I can exercise that same approach of discovery to the work that I do.

What or who have been your biggest mentors, that continue to inspire you or drive you every day?

RA: YouTube. Resources are really abundant and there is so much to explore and learn. I enjoy watching documentaries about behind the scenes, and how companies/music bands and even chefs started their journey. They all inspire me. 

How do you find the inspiration or the drive to continue innovating and thinking out of the box?

JT: Traveling, communicating, and connecting with the right people in different places are my treasured moments for unwinding. When I am not working, I dedicate my time to exploring new habits and experiences. Coming out of my comfort zone is what I yearn for the most!

What would you like Malaysians to remember you for?

JK: For creating moments and music that make them feel alive.

RA: Someone who tries his best in everything that he does.

If you had a mission statement in life, what do you think that would be?

JT: Making the most out of it. Do what I have to do and keep listening to my inner voice.

But the more important question is, “Where Next?”

JK: Where next? I am reinspired by how I first started on my musical journey with more pared-back, lyrical violin improvisation. I think wellness is so important and a great space to explore how I can reinvent my music whilst bringing more balance to my own artistic and personal life. It’s easy with all the commerciality of my career to forget why I started doing all of this–my innate need to express musically and to be in the flow state it induces–such a wonderful state of living!

RA: Be better. In the industry, at home, in fitness, at being a dad, husband, son, friend.

JT: My “Where Next” involves continuing to grow and achieve my business goals while also envisioning a future where I have a family of my own and building my dream home in a place I truly cherish.

Visit Glenfiddich’s campaign website or Instagram page to learn more about the Where Next Club and discover how you can unleash your own Maverick spirit.

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