E-commerce consultant born with brain damage nominated for Spirit of Hong Kong Awards
- Alex Wu, 39, was born with brain damage and has problems controlling the movement of his legs and right hand
- An e-commerce entrepreneur, he offers guidance on making use of cyberspace to start-up aspirants
Alex Wu Tsz-man uses a pair of quad canes to help him walk, but refuses to let his condition define him, or hold him back.
The 39-year-old e-commerce consultant, who has problems controlling the movement of his legs and right hand because of brain damage at birth, has taken to doing business in cyberspace like a duck to water.
“I have no difficulty typing, as opposed to holding a pen,” he said, adding he had developed self-confidence over the course of building his career on the internet over the past 17 years.
“I grew up with low self-worth owing to my impairment. I felt uncomfortable looking someone in the eye and I didn’t want to socialise.”
Things began to change after he had his first taste of the online market soon after leaving high school.
“I got a job where I had to provide e-commerce support service,” Wu said.
As he became interested in the subject and learned more about the work, he felt he could prove his worth in the high-growth industry.
I believe start-ups can use e-commerce skills to develop business in Hong Kong, where high rents and labour costs have reduced opportunities
He believed he had overcome certain obstacles in life, such as a lack of interest in communicating with people, after several years of practical on-field experience.
“My problem solving skills improved, as I had to learn to deal with complaints and respond swiftly to avoid negative feedback [on the e-commerce platform],” he said.
Apart from starting his own online business trading an array of items, including consumer electronics, Wu has helped organise e-commerce classes for aspirants.
“I believe start-ups can use e-commerce skills to develop business in Hong Kong, where high rents and labour costs have reduced opportunities,” he said, noting that companies often needed guidance on how to shorten delivery time and outsource work.
“I want to share my experience.”
The e-commerce veteran is one of the nominees for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and property developer Sino Group, to celebrate the achievements of remarkable people whose unsung work may not come to public notice.
Spirit of Hong Kong Awards return to honour unsung heroes of the community
Thomas Lau, who attended Wu’s online marketing classes earlier, has recommended him for the Spirit of Perseverance award, which honours individuals who have, against the odds, overcome personal challenges to succeed.
Wu said he had not accustomed himself to face real people until he began giving talks.
“I have been more confident in myself and have got over my eye-contact anxiety,” he said.
As a way to give back to the community, the consultant looks forward to organising more talks and classes for people interested in e-commerce.
Yet he cautioned against jumping on the bandwagon.
In Wu’s words, e-commerce is a fast-moving industry where grit is often the key to success.
“Not everyone can fit in,” he said.
He said he was interested in charitable initiatives, noting that his company had been donating regularly part of its sales proceeds to a volunteer group helping people living with cerebral palsy in mainland China.
