“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
Before co-founding TripZeeker, an online marketplace that allows Filipinos and foreigners to shop for possible travel destinations, Kim Lim worked in the corporate world for about five years as a stockbroker. Having always dreamt of being an entrepreneur, Kim found her calling in the startup industry as she quit her corporate job to co-found a travel tech startup called TripZeeker.
At TripZeeker, Kim (the CEO) and her team run an e-commerce marketplace that allows for customers to connect with travel providers based in the Philippines.
She shared, “As technology evolves, so does the way business is conducted. Our beloved Philippines is now a popular destination for Filipinos and non-Filipinos. Today, tourism is a sustainable booming industry that drives emerging economies globally.”
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
When asked about how her gender impacted her journey in the startup industry, Kim said, “Prior to startups, I came from the Finance industry which is also full of men but that doesn’t stop me to be the best that I can be. It also has a positive effect on me as I have the opportunity to possibly inspire other women to enter entrepreneurship, follow their dreams and find their real purpose.”
When I visited the TripZeeker booth at Techtonic–the biggest tech conference in the Philippines–it was bustling with people. As I was introduced to Kim, I couldn’t help but be in awe of her passion for startups and enthusiasm for the industry’s potential here in the Philippines.
“We rise by lifting others,” is what she said in response to when I asked her about what improvements can be made in the field of tech.
“We rise by lifting others.”
“I totally believe in this [‘We rise by lifting others.’] quote. Not just in tech, but in other industries as well. Helping one another succeed is probably one of the most beautiful things that we can focus on. Improvements should start on us, extend a helping hand to those who are in need of guidance, mentorship, and motivation. Be a leader, be a champion, and most importantly, be an inspiration,” she said.
“She believed she could. So she did.”
Among Kim’s many inspirations include Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operations Officer of Facebook. Sandberg’s book stressed the importance of believing in oneself, and how shouldn’t accredit our successes to merely luck or other people alone. In an industry as capricious as that of startups, it’s easy to forget the work and perseverance that many have to go through to make it big. Consequently, we must also remember to appreciate the people who help us through our journeys.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to build something that will influence people’s lives for the greater good. There are a lot of opportunities in the technology sector. In Southeast Asia, the startup scene is relatively new, so the possibilities to innovate cutting edge technologies are still wide open. Be creative, think big, innovate. Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice. There are a lot of people who are willing to help you achieve your dreams and pursue your passion. Learn something new every day. And for me, I feel really thankful to the people who lift me up me and help me grow,” shared Kim.
“Aside from asking, always be open to giving as well. Share whatever wisdom, skill or knowledge you have. Share your story. Pay it forward.” –Kim Lim, TripZeeker CEO and Co-founder
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The author, Audrey Pe, is a high school junior from the Philippines. Passionate about startups, programming, and women empowerment, Audrey advocates for more women in tech through this blog. She wishes for people to read her interviews, be inspired to pursue careers in the field of tech, and support women in tech everywhere.
WiTech 