Curiosity as a Compass: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey with Raise The Crowd Studio

Starting Raise The Crowd Studio (RTC) is, for me, an act deeply rooted in the principle of reciprocity. It’s about creating a cycle of giving and gaining that fuels both the community we aim to support and my own entrepreneurial spirit. You often hear the question, "How do you find the time?" in the world of startups and social enterprises, as if time were a finite resource, easily depleted. But my journey, from the early days in Cambodia to the bustling innovation landscape of Melbourne, has taught me a profound lesson: it’s not about the quantity of time but the quality of energy we bring to our endeavours.

RTC Studio is not just another venture; for me it's a source of renewal and purpose. There's an undeniable thrill in tackling challenges, in diving deep into the complexities of startup bottlenecks and emerging with solutions that not only propel a project forward but also ignite a sense of achievement and possibility. This process, this cycle of curiosity and problem-solving, is what keeps my passion alive.

Curiosity, I’ve come to realise, is my compass. It guides me toward activities and endeavours that are not just tasks to be completed but puzzles to be solved, stories to be told, and dreams to be nurtured. This is what I mean when I say that engaging in work that genuinely sparks my curiosity is the antidote to burnout. It’s not about doing something you love in a narrow sense but about finding and creating meaning and excitement in the work you do.

And so, when faced with the incredulity of starting another business, the question of time versus energy becomes central. RTC, in its essence, is a reflection of this understanding. It’s about investing my energy into something that doesn’t deplete but replenishes. Giving back to this community, supporting founders as they navigate their own journeys, provides me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends the conventional metrics of business success.

This foundational belief is what RTC stands for—a platform not just for growth and support but for mutual inspiration. It's a space where the act of helping others solve their problems fuels our collective energy, driving us towards a shared vision of a better world. This is the heart of why we started RTC: to engage in work that feels as much a part of me as I am of it, work that gives back as much as it takes, and in doing so, keeps the fires of passion and curiosity well and truly alive.

As I sit down to share the story behind Raise The Crowd Studio (RTC), it's not just as an entrepreneur but as someone who's walked the path from starting social enterprises from the rice fields of Cambodia to the tech-forward environment of Melbourne. This journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with lessons, realisations, and the kind of experiences that textbooks simply don't cover. Starting RTC Studio wasn't a decision made on a whim; it was a response to a calling I've felt deep in my bones, informed by the fabric of my past ventures and the lessons they've taught me.

What I've Learned Along the Way

First and foremost, organic growth is special. This might sound like startup jargon, but it's the truth. From my early days, experimenting with social enterprises at 20, I've seen firsthand the value of letting things unfold at their own pace, learning from each stumble, and adapting until you're ready to scale thoughtfully. RTC is my way of embracing this ethos fully, pledging to move with intention and sensitivity to the needs that bubble up from the communities we aim to serve.

Then there's the undeniable power of relationships. My PhD journey into affective solidarity among women wasn't just academic; it was a deep dive into how we connect, support, and elevate each other. This understanding is the bedrock of how I approach leadership and collaboration. With RTC, alongside my co-founders Isabelle and Chi-uh, we're embodying this. We're here to forge a space that prioritises mutual respect and collective growth over the traditional cut-throat (and often patriarchal) business dynamics.

Narrative shaping is another crucial area. It's one thing to have a vision or a product; it's another to articulate it compellingly. Throughout my ventures, especially with She's A Crowd, I've seen the transformative impact of a well-told story. RTC is my commitment to extending this skill to others, helping them find and finesse their voices to make their mark in the world - such as through pitching and grant writing.

On a broader scale, my non-traditional career path has honed my skills in strategic thinking and pattern recognition. Straddling different sectors has given me a unique vantage point to see the bigger picture and the interconnectedness of things. With RTC, I'm channeling this insight into helping others align their social missions with sustainable business models, navigating the complex dance of making a difference while staying afloat.

Perhaps most importantly, I've learned the value of believing in the potential of small groups to enact big changes. When I started She's A Crowd, naysayers doubted the willingness of women to share their stories online. Yet, believing in the power of these stories led to creating the world's largest geolocative database of sexual violence. This experience is a testament to the incredible things that can happen when you have faith in your ideas and in the people around you.

Your passion for helping startups is truly remarkable, and it's been an absolute pleasure working with you. Your expertise in refining our pitching deck and crowdfunding campaign page was invaluable. Your insights not only enhanced the presentation of our project but also provided valuable lessons in startup management and various other aspects of entrepreneurship. Your dedication to supporting startups like ours is commendable, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to any entrepreneur seeking mentorship or assistance. Your experience and passion shine through in everything you do, and it's clear that you genuinely care about the success of the businesses you support. - Eugene Siu, CEO of Petalife

Why Raise The Crowd

So, why start RTC? It's simple, really. It's my way of channeling all these lessons into a platform that uplifts, supports, and amplifies the voices of diverse founders and social impact organisations. It's about giving back, leveraging our triptych of experiences to help others navigate their journeys more smoothly. But more than that, it's about building a community that thrives on curiosity, mutual support, and the shared belief that we can all play a part in imagining—and creating—a better world.

In launching RTC, I'm not just starting another business. I'm laying down a challenge to myself and to the community we're building: to dare to dream, to lean into the hard lessons, and to support each other relentlessly. It's a promise to believe in the unseen potential and to light up the path for others as so many have done for me. That's the heart of Raise The Crowd Studio, and everyone's invited.