Lost and Founded Series - Siu Rui

Not many can go without a salary for 1.5 years. Siu Rui, Co-founder of Carousell, did (and kept his parents in the dark about it). Little wonder then why his life hack is "Do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life." Read on to find out more about this passionate individual who's living his dream of using his love for technology to solve problems, and stalk dogs on Instagram.

People say you are "Siu Rui, Co-founder of Carousell". Who do you say you are?

I'm one of the luckiest persons around with the opportunity to help solve a meaningful problem together with the most passionate and talented team.

Best moment in your startup life. It was so good you wanted to fly BusinessClass somewhere with someone, and pop open the most expensive bottle of champagne there.

We won a hackathon called Startup Weekend and it reversed my fate of getting a real job. Instead, I got to live my dream of using my love for technology to solve problems.

What secret did you hide from your co-founder or partner or parent for the longest time? Why?

I don't think my parents knew that I did not get a salary up till October 2013, which was 1.5 years after graduating and starting Carousell.

What's the most eccentric thing about you? If VCs found out, they wouldn't have signed the term sheet then. But hell with that now.

Majority of the "people" I follow on Instagram are dogs. Specifically, doxies (dachshunds) and corgis, or collectively stumpies. Charlie (@artisticvoid), a piebald dachshund, is my favourite - he is caring and inspiring.

Have you ever cried? Or what was the lowest, crappiest moment in your start-up life. You wanted to give up everything. You wanted to kill someone. (During your startup career of course) Tell us more!

I shed a couple of tears when we won the hackathon (Startup Weekend). We were working on a couple of projects before that weren't going anywhere, so when we finally found a solution to a meaningful problem that resonated with a lot more people, it was huge for me.

What are you up to today? What gets you up in the morning?

Our mission. Staying 100% focused on our mission to inspire the world to start selling.

Hearing stories of how Carousell is benefitting people worldwide also inspires me.

How do you keep yourself physically and mentally fit for start-up life?

I do the 7-minute workout (with the help of my pebble watch) 2-3 times a week. It's efficient and keeps the heart pumping.

Offer a life hack (or two) to a young founder.

Do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life.

Movie or song that best describes you.

Don't stop believin'

Favourite quote.

"We are less than 1% done."

Who and what inspires you?

Passion inspires me, and hence, our Carousell family inspires me.

Tell me about Siu Rui in 2030.

Still loving technology. Still focused on solving problems.