Founder Stories

Rob Bryson left a 20-year career to build a recruitment agency in Asia.  He still earns less than he did before he made the leap, and he still wouldn't change it for a second.If you're a senior professional toying with the idea of going out on your own, this is the conversation you don't hear on startup podcasts.In Episode 01 of Founder Stories, James Green, co-founder and General Partner at DQventures sits down with Rob Bryson, founder of WeNetwork.  WeNetwork is a recruitment business now operating across seven countries in Asia Pacific and was DQventures first portfolio company. Rob spent over two decades in senior roles at Michael Page and Robert Walters, transforming Robert Walters' Indonesia business into a 50-person, multi-million dollar operation. Then, at the peak of his corporate career, he resigned.This episode is for experienced corporate professionals — VPs, directors, country leads — who feel the pull of entrepreneurship but are worried about the risk.  Rob and James cover the stuff most entrepreneurship podcasts skip: timing (it's never right), the financial reality of leaving a high salary, the risk to your family and your relationship and why 45-year-old founders outperform 25-year-olds.Rob is candid about the moments he questioned the decision, the bad hires, the loneliness of running a service business, and what no one tells you before you resign.  He's equally candid on why he'd do the same thing all over again and what his journey has taught him about what it really takes to build a multi-million dollar business.0:00 — "I remember shaking when I resigned"2:30 — For experienced professionals thinking about quitting corporate4:00 — Why timing is never right to start a business8:00 — The real financial risk of building a startup12:00 — Why startups won't make you rich (and what will)16:00 — Are you actually cut out for entrepreneurship?21:00 — The risk to your family no one talks about24:00 — Why experienced founders outperform young ones28:00 — An honest review of working with DQventuresFind out more about WeNetworkFollow Rob on LinkedInWatch this episode on DQventures YouTube ChannelThinking about leaving your corporate job to start your own business?  Apply to DQventuresFollow James Green on LinkedIn Follow DQventures on LinkedIn