Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Jacqueline Leung. As the founder of Pressed, she helps make it easier for young professionals to stay in-the-know about current events. We caught up with her to find out what inspires her work and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I am the founder of Pressed – real news in real words. We help Canadians stay up-to-date, and understand, what’s going on in the world.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I’ve always found the news tedious and boring. Growing up, I never read or watched the news, and always wondered why journalists couldn’t just speak like real people. But since I wasn’t up-to-date on world issues, I was often left out of conversations with colleagues and friends. While I was developing the concept for Pressed, I found out that a lot of young professionals felt the same way. The news is hard. Pressed makes it easy.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
When Pressed got its first subscriber who wasn’t a friend or family member.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I hope that in five years, Pressed is the go-to source for news for young professionals; a place that you can rely on to have world issues dissected in a way that’s easy to understand. In 10-20 years, I hope to have founded several other start-ups, and helped to fund several more.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Do what scares you. It’s always worth it.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Etobicoke Humane Society – because dogs can’t choose their own fate. It’s up to loving humans to help them find a great home. EHS is a no-kill shelter, they have some of the most loving volunteers, and the dogs and cats are treated like family.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of York – because some people just need a little extra love and positivity in their lives.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Getting rejected by NYC. Early in my career, I moved there to try to make it in the big city. I interviewed a lot, but got rejected by all. There were a lot of good reasons why I didn’t get any job offers, but in the end, I just felt like I wasn’t good enough. I overcame it by getting back on my feet quickly. I reminded myself that the worst case scenario was that I would have to move back to Toronto – which is the best city in the world – so, I moved back and started my corporate climb in marketing.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
The word notable, to me, defines a person who is brave enough to make a difference, even when he/she has everything to lose.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Pai. I love Thai food, and this place serves it hot with 90’s hip-hop/R&B playing in the background.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Pressednews.com – because I work on it 24/7
JT’s Can’t Stop The Feeling
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
@NotBillWalton is hilarious.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Vietnam is the perfect combo of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Plus, the people are so nice and accommodating. Next up: Sri Lanka.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
When friends go on vacation without me.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Eating PC Loaded BBQ chips while watching The Voice.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I wish I didn’t spend so much money on clothes. Now, instead of buying new clothes, I’ve mastered the skill of mixing and matching different pieces to create the perfect “new” outfits. I wish I put more money into investments.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success to me is being able to give my parents whatever they want.