[11] Alex Stewart - Founder & CEO WombatNET Limited

“I have struggled really, really badly at times, and I'm not someone to say you can't get upset. But in my scenario I have to have two sides two myself - I have to have the internal side I have at home where I might cry once in a while at something thats happened or something someone's said to me, but on the outside you have to remain strong in certain roles and in certain aspects” - Alex Stewart, founder and CEO of WombatNET Limited. Recently turning 18 years old, Alex is already a certified innovator and entrepreneuer with a string of awards + accomplishments bolstering him. Named the 2021 Wellingtonian of the Year Youth and understandably so, at just 14 years old he founded the rural broadband solutions provider WombatNET, and after juggling school + business for a while he made the decision to leave school in order to fully focus his energy + time into the company. We discuss during this interview the many obstacles and challenges along his path, primarily not being taken seriously in the industry or being allowed to legally stand as director of his business due to age. Alex unpacks the experiences of navigating customer engagement, aquriring investors, building relationships + networking as a teenager with adults, and learning to deal with mental health struggles while sitting in the CEO seat. What a pleasure this conversation was! Love to welcome this week’s guest to Tall Poppy Talk, listen to the full interview on Spotify, iHeart Radio, or Apple Podcasts. #reels #entrepreneur #wellington #newzealand #aotearoa #tech #innovative #innovate #youngleaders #business #internet #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #tallpoppy