Wadiz 10th Anniversary, Episode 3
The People Who Have Been Part of WadizHistory
This is the third installment of the “Impact Show” held in May to celebrateWadiz 10th anniversary. In this final episode, we share the stories of the entrepreneurs who founded Wadizand the colleagues who have been with Wadiz for 80% of Wadiz history.
(△ Part 1, which introduced the story of our growth over the past 10 years Part 1
△ Click here to watch Part 2, which features stories of makers who “started” Wadiz, including a supporter who has funded 800 projects Part 2 )
I know what I should do, but I think I’d get angry if someone else did it
"Has been with the company for eight years" Sweetheart Jin-gook
It seems that staying with the same company for a long time has become a rare occurrence, especially in the startup industry. Now in my eighth year at Wadiz, that is, 80% ofWadiz history.
It’s December 2015, and you’ve been here for eight years. What’s your most memorable moment?
“We have someone on our team who joined us from a company quite different Wadiz. But that person said, said,Wadizmakes me want to work hard while staying true to myself,’—that really stuck with me.”
Why do you use Wadiz?
“I’ve been asked this question quite a few times over the years. I finally found the answer while having a drink with a close colleague who’s been Wadizjust as long as I have. I understand ‘what needs to be done, how to do it, and why,’ but I stay here because I think I’d get angry if someone else were doing this work instead of me.”
Director Cha Jae-young of the Maker Experience Team
Ten years from now, in May 2023, where will you be and what will you be doing?
“First of all, one thing is certain: Wadizis here to stay. During an interview, a candidate said to me,Wadizwon’t disappear as long as people have dreams.’ I agreed with that. I don’t know what I’ll be doing ten years from now, but Wadizwill still be going strong.”
Wadizfeatures "The Return of Jin-gook."
Who are these “returning stars”? They’re the people who left Wadizand then “rejoined” the company. There are a few of these returning stars Wadiz. I had the chance to meet Producer Choi Dong-cheol, whom I bumped into in the hallway and ended up interviewing.
Ms. Choi Myung-ji, App Development Team
Wadiz (Foundation): How did you feel on your first day at work?
“It was my first day back at work, and it also happened to be the day our second child was born. It was a day when my determination as a father was burning bright, but I was also pretty nervous.”
Was there a particular reason you decided to rejoin the company?
“After I left the company, I heard so many positive things about Wadizfrom people outside the company. It made me feel really happy and pleased. So when I received the offer to rejoin, I felt both grateful that they remembered me fondly and a bit smug, thinking, ‘I’m still in demand.’ That’s why I gladly accepted and decided to come back.”
If you were to send a video message to Jin-gook, who has run away from home?
“Yes, to all of you who have left us… I went out into the world, but it turned out to be nothing special—just a lot of hardship…
The peopleWadizare great, the work is meaningful, and the company is continuing to grow well. Take your time exploring, and please come back. I miss you all!!!”
Co-founding: The Significance of Our 10-Year Journey Together
Our final guests are Shin Hye-seong and Choi Dong-cheol, the co-founders Wadiz. Over the past 10 years since Wadiz was founded, there have surely been moments of both growth and challenges, big and small. We sat down with the two of them to hear their story. Choi Dong-cheol asked the questions, and Shin Hye-seong answered.
A conversation at a bakery: “Let’s start a business together”
How did the two of you first meet?
“We first met 11 years ago. Back then, people didn’t really use the word ‘startup.’ It was a time often referred to as the ‘dark age’ of the startup market. I decided I wanted to start a business, so I signed up for a one-year entrepreneurship program. When I walked into the first meeting, there was only one person there—a man named Choi Dong-cheol. After that, I met him at Paris Baguette on a weekend morning and proposed that we start a business together. I guess he probably thought I was a bit of a weirdo. 😅”
Do you still feel the same way you did when you first proposed starting this business?
“Of course.”
I don't think there's any other company that emphasizes its mission, vision, and principles Wadiz. In fact, people even refer to the CEO as the "10-Year Mute." Why do you think he's become that kind of person?
“Many people ask me, ‘Why did you start a companyWadiz?’ or ‘How did you come up with this business model?’ But before we even discussed the business model, we spent every day thinking about what kind of company we wanted to build. We did this even though we were barely prepared to launch the business, because creating ‘the kind of company I’d want to work for’ was so important to us.
The ‘company’ we refer to in our principles is one where hardworking people are recognized, and where you can succeed without having to think of ‘alternative’ ways of doing things. It was that conviction that led us to start this company.”
CEO, I'm curious to know what hobbies you have outside of work. Please share a highlight from your daily life 🤗
“Like many entrepreneurs, I tend to think about work a lot. To clear my head, I sometimes go for a walk in the hills behind my neighborhood. On weekends, I make pasta for my kids. I started cooking on weekends a year before the pandemic began, and I haven’t missed a single weekend since.”
Please tell us what has been the most meaningful experience for you over the past 10 years.
“One thing really came to mind. ‘The fact that the two of us (Mr. Choi Dong-cheol and I) are still together.’It’s actually quite common for founders and startup teams to part ways. Even though the day might come when we eventually go our separate ways after working together Wadiz, I realized just how proud I am that, after 10 years, I’m still here with that person.”
(Suddenly, it's all about the bromance...)
How will Wadizgrow over the next 10 years?
Wadizbegan as a crowdfunding service 10 years ago, has evolved into a platform offering a wide range of services, including Wadiz Store, Wadiz Finance, IP business, and Wadiz Space. As a result, we’re welcoming new team members who bring a wealth of diverse experience and expertise Wadiz.
The diverse team behindWadizservices. As we ponder how to craft a consistent message, we’re building a vision to guide us for the next 10 years a new visionto guide us for the next decade.
Proclamation of a New Vision for the 10th Anniversary
WhenWadizfirst launched, it was based on a funding service called “Trust Capitalist Group Trust Capitalist Group’ centered on a crowdfunding service. Now that we’re moving beyond crowdfunding to launch various services—such as a store and offline businesses—what ‘vision Vision’ that we should focus on as we move beyond funding to introduce a variety of services, including stores and offline businesses
“We’re building a world where anyone can take on a challenge”
Finally, the event came to a close with the cutting of our 10th-anniversary rice cake. It was a meaningful moment to conclude by sharing our vision—one that ensures any Wadiz, when asked, “What kind of company isWadiz?” can give the same answer.
Over the next 10 years, Wadizwill continue to evolve in many different ways. We look forward to Wadizworking together to create a “funding ecosystem” where anyone can take on a “challenge.”
