Disruptr: Daniel Wallis – CEO and Founder of Zonar
Share with us on what you do and what inspired you to start the business.
- Having done some consulting and freelancing myself, I was quite disappointed in the platforms that existed and really thought that in today’s day and age something more personable and local facilitated through technology would be much better
What has the journey been like?
- As with every journey there have been ups and downs. Whether you’re experienced or
completely new to the game, starting up a new venture always comes with its own
challenges and rewards. This has been especially true during the pandemic where we can really see just how much the world can change in a short period of time.
Biggest achievement and what is one regret that you wish you had or had not done?
- Our biggest achievement would be the team we’ve put together and the feedback from the experts we’ve connected to already in order to serve local communities. Our biggest regret would probably be some of the technical choices we made early on that we were forced to scrap and prolonged things when put in the face of changing times during the pandemic.
Where do you see yourself in the next 1 year?
- We see ourselves expanding into all the major cities in Malaysia and really getting involved on the ground in connecting communities with their experts.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
- In 5 years we want to build a brand that is synonymous with being a fair system for
customers to find the experts, they need and for those with unique skills to truly be able to utilise them in the best way possible.
What keeps you going to keep running the business?
- Because no competitor has done it as well or better. The pandemic has shown us how
technology can keep things running and allow us to be more flexible in the ways we live our lives, but has also shown that those areas of the community that are underserved and not connected in a meaningful way can have their entire livelihoods decimated, so there is a real need for focus in those areas.
What is one local startup you would like to work together with and why?
- We’re already working with a ton of great local startups like EntreBition and FoundingBird but we’re always looking for great collaborations that will help make our experts and customers lives easier.
Who is one founder (local or international) that you look up to?
- I think our society has a big too much hero worship, but I do think there are many founders who have done some amazing things in certain aspects. If you look at product execution – then Jeff Bezos is amazing. Hype and Branding? No one beats Elon Musk.
- A truly great system that made my own life easier? Taveet and Kristo from Wise. I suppose though the founder and startup that has most influenced Zonar, is Brian Chesky from Airbnb. He has shown how a p2p platform can reshape an entire industry and give the power from established interests to smaller local parties.
Why should investors invest in your startup?
- The team, track records, the platforms and the goals. We would love to find investors who align with our values and motivations to truly make Zonar a platform for the future.