To Young Cambodians: What I Wish Someone Told Me at 20 (30 Years of Lessons)

TO YOUNG CAMBODIANS: After 30 years in business, if I could go back and talk to my younger self, here's what I'd say.

Maybe it helps you. Maybe it doesn't. You decide.

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LESSON #1: PEOPLE WHO SAY "IT'S NOT POSSIBLE" USUALLY NEVER TRIED

I started from one of East London's poorest districts. When I said I wanted to start a business, everyone said:
- You don't have money
- You don't have connections
- You don't have education
- It's not possible

They were WRONG.

Or more accurately: It wasn't possible for THEM because they never tried. But they acted like experts on what's possible.

HERE'S WHAT I LEARNED:

Most people who tell you something can't be done have never attempted it themselves.

They're protecting their own choices by discouraging yours.

Young Cambodians: You're living through extraordinary economic development.

In 5 years, Cambodia will look different.
In 10 years, unrecognizable.

The question isn't: Is change coming? (Change IS coming)

The question is: Will YOU position yourself to benefit?

Or will you listen to people who say "people like us never benefit"?

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LESSON #2: YOUR TWENTIES ARE FOR BUILDING SKILLS, NOT CHASING MONEY

I made this mistake.

I jumped at every job that paid slightly more. Bounced between opportunities. Never stayed long enough to get really good at anything.

By 30: I had scattered experience but no expertise. No deep skills. No real value to offer.

YOUNG CAMBODIANS:

The next 5 years, focus on becoming EXCELLENT at something valuable:
- English
- Mandarin
- Digital skills
- Technical expertise
- Management capability

Don't chase the job that pays $5 more per week.

Chase the job where you'll LEARN the most.

Skills compound. $5 doesn't.

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LESSON #3: EVERYONE SUCCESSFUL FAILED MORE THAN YOU'VE TRIED

I failed. Multiple times.
- Lost money
- Lost businesses
- Made terrible decisions

But failure taught me:
- How to recognize bad situations faster
- How to adjust strategy
- How to try again smarter

Young Cambodians: You WILL fail. Everyone does.

The question is: Will you let failure teach you? Or will you let it stop you?

Successful people I know aren't smarter than everyone else.

They just failed more times and kept going.

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LAST THING: YOU'RE LIVING THROUGH A MOMENT YOUR PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE

Cambodia's economy is opening.
Foreign investment is arriving.
Opportunities your parents never saw are appearing.

Don't waste this moment being scared.

Don't waste it listening to people who say "it never works for people like us."

TRY. FAIL. LEARN. TRY AGAIN.

I started with nothing from one of East London's poorest districts. Ended up working across 5 continents. Living in Cambodia now running businesses.

If I can do it starting from there, you can do it starting from here.

YOU decide what's possible for you.

Not me. Not your parents. Not people who never tried.

YOU.

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British entrepreneur, Siem Reap
30 years international business experience
Started from nothing

gilderproductions.com
siemreapthrive.com
phnompenhthrive.com

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Видео To Young Cambodians: What I Wish Someone Told Me at 20 (30 Years of Lessons) канала Gilder Productions