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Writer's pictureAjmal Samuel

Unexpected Journeys: A Year of Challenges, Triumphs, and New Beginnings

This year has been a whirlwind, filled with exciting highs and unexpected challenges, leading to much personal and professional growth. It began with a long-overdue confrontation with a persistent shoulder injury, a problem I’d been ignoring for far too long.  The pain finally reached a point where I could no longer ignore it, coinciding ironically with a significant personal achievement – qualifying for my paragliding pilot's license in South Africa.  Even as I soared through the breathtaking South African skies, the nagging shoulder pain constantly reminded me of the looming health issue that needed immediate attention.


This period also marked the culmination of a significant business undertaking: the re-packaging and launch of my new ventures, https://www.FTS.Money and https://www.myvoucher.io.  This wasn't a typical startup journey.  Rather than building something entirely new, I rebranded and relaunched existing businesses. This proved a steep learning curve, a completely new experience in my entrepreneurial journey, which began in 2009. The process of packaging and marketing these businesses under a fresh brand was and continues to be, a significant learning experience.  Almost a year later, I’m still discovering new facets of this process, constantly refining my understanding of the market and target audience.


Juggling the demanding paragliding course, the intricate launch of my businesses, and managing teams worldwide was a Herculean task. I vividly recall making critical business decisions while strapped into my paragliding harness, phone pressed to my ear, preparing for a flight.  It was intense but incredibly rewarding.  The ability to successfully navigate this period, simultaneously achieving my personal and professional goals, is a testament to the power of focused determination.


Returning to Hong Kong in early April, I finally addressed my shoulder injury surgically.  While I’ve had numerous surgeries throughout my life, this shoulder surgery proved to be significantly different, requiring an almost eight-month healing process. My shoulder, even now, isn’t fully recovered.


However, this enforced period of home confinement was surprisingly productive.  The inability to travel for meetings freed up considerable time.  I could focus intently on the finer details of launching https://www.FTS.Money and https://www.myvoucher.io. Ironically, my physical limitations led to a surge in my professional productivity. My team and I meticulously reviewed marketing strategies, fine-tuned business processes, and carefully considered every aspect of the new brand's market readiness. While I missed the in-person interaction of international meetings and the dynamism of face-to-face collaborations, this enforced rest and reflection period proved invaluable.


The Singapore Fintech Festival recently allowed me to test my physical recovery and reconnect with the fintech community.  My primary goals were to assess my ability to travel independently and reconnect with friends and acquaintances in the industry.  The trip served as a crucial test of my physical capabilities post-surgery. Thankfully, my shoulder held up remarkably well, allowing me to participate fully in the Fintech Festival.


The Singapore Fintech Festival exceeded my expectations.  It was wonderful to reconnect with so many familiar faces, exchange insights, discuss market trends, and catch up on each other’s successes and challenges. The energy of the event, combined with the opportunity to gauge my physical recovery, made this trip an overwhelmingly positive experience.  It was a clear sign that I was healing physically and re-energising professionally.


Beyond my personal and professional journeys, I'm also deeply invested in a new documentary project. As I write this blog, we're finalizing "Pushing Through Waves," a short documentary film that tells the inspiring story of two wheelchair para-athletes, Augustas Navickas and me. In 2019, we redefined the limits of endurance sport by becoming the first duo with disabilities to complete the legendary Hong Kong Around the Island Race, battling strong sea currents and towering waves exceeding 3 meters in height.

This adrenaline-inducing documentary captures our incredible journey, highlighting our determination, resilience, and unwavering spirit.  We're raising funds on Kickstarter.com, and we need your much-needed support to make this documentary a reality.  Please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pushingthroughwaves/pushing-through-waves and donate to help us bring "Pushing Through Waves" to life and fulfil our dream of introducing adaptive coastal para-rowing to the disabled community worldwide.  Your contribution will not only help us share our inspiring story but also help us promote inclusivity and accessibility in sports.


Looking back, this year represents a unique blend of personal and professional growth.  The unexpected shoulder surgery, while initially disruptive, ultimately created space for intense focus and heightened productivity.  The paragliding license was a significant personal achievement that instilled a sense of accomplishment and a reminder that setting challenging personal goals is vital for maintaining a well-rounded life—the successful launch of https://www.FTS.Money and https://www.myvoucher.io marks a new chapter in my entrepreneurial journey.  While the challenges were numerous and often unpredictable, I view them as integral learning experiences.


The key takeaway from this year up till now is the power of resilience.  The ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, to find opportunities within challenges, and to maintain a positive outlook is crucial. The entrepreneurship journey is never smooth; unexpected obstacles, setbacks, and complications will always exist. But navigating these challenges ultimately shapes your character, sharpens your skills, and enhances your understanding of the business world. This year taught me the importance of embracing change, balancing personal well-being and professional goals, and, above all, the value of persistence and unwavering determination.


The future holds more challenges and opportunities, and the year is far from over. I'm committed to the ongoing growth of https://www.FTS.Money and https://www.myvoucher.io. I am excited to continue learning and evolving as an entrepreneur.  Moreover, my physical recovery continues to improve, and I look forward to more adventures in the skies and to the successful completion and release of "Pushing Through Waves". This year has indeed been a year of firsts, a year of significant learning and growth, and a year of both personal and professional triumphs.  And, with the lessons learned and the new-found resilience, I am eager to see what next year brings. The journey, it seems, is far from over. It's a journey I'm embracing with open arms and a renewed appreciation for the unpredictable nature of life and the rewards of perseverance. The experience of this past year has reinforced my belief that even setbacks can serve as stepping stones to success, paving the way to even greater accomplishments in the years to come.




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