“From a one-person dream to a shared mission: 14 years of learning, leading, and growing.”
- Talent Academy
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
August 8 always holds a special meaning for me.
It was the day I officially left my corporate job to start Talent Academy.
That was 14 years ago.
People say if you can survive the first 3 years of running a business, you’ll be okay.
I’m grateful we’ve made it far beyond that.
And I want to take a moment to reflect — not just on the wins, but on what really kept us going.
01 | Do good work. Every single time.
We’ve never had a sales team.
No ads. No marketing budget.
Almost every project we’ve taken on has come through referrals and repeat clients.
The secret?
Do your very best every single time.
So good that the client won’t want to let you go.
I say this to myself, and to every working partner we collaborate with.
And over the years, this principle has guided us through every up and down.
02 | Small is powerful
I’ve explored different models — build a big team? Expand regionally?
But with Connectedness as one of my core CliftonStrengths®, I found beauty in a more agile approach.
I’m grateful to have built a network of purpose-driven trainers and partners who share the same values — people who truly care about making learning meaningful.
Together, we’ve built something big — without ever becoming “big.”
03 | When challenges hit, dare to lead
COVID was one of our toughest moments.
Everything paused. But we didn’t sit still.
We were among the first to bring virtual training and facilitation to the HR and learning community in Hong Kong.
We tested, failed, learned, and shared.
And now, with AI shaping the future, we’re doing it again.
Just last month, we launched our first-ever AI in Training & Development Certification Program — a full house.
The message is simple:
Stay curious. Stay ahead. Share what you learn.
04 | Want to stand out? Be bold.
One client came to us after seven years of running annual vision days.
They had tried everything.
We offered something fresh — new ideas, new activities, new energy.
They stayed with us for another 3 years.
That experience reminded me:
Innovation doesn’t need to be flashy.
It just needs to be thoughtful.
05 | Never too small for big opportunities
One of the most unforgettable projects we did?
A global luxury brand was looking for a regional 5-day leadership program across Asia — hybrid format, hundreds of participants, future-focused, brand-aligned.
We weren’t a big consulting firm. We didn’t have offices in every country.
But we won the project — because we showed up with bold ideas, care for the learners, and deep cultural alignment.
That taught me:
Small teams can do extraordinary things.
06 | Growth takes commitment
Learning isn’t something we talk about. It’s something we do.
I set a learning budget for myself every year — from psychology to technology to facilitation design.
I believe:
We grow, so we can help others grow.
To every client, every learner, every partner — thank you for challenging us, trusting us, and walking this journey with us.
07 | Thank you, from the heart
To my long-time working partners and friends:
You’ve helped build this with me.
To all the facilitators, coaches, consultants, and supporters who’ve co-created meaningful learning journeys over the years — I’m forever grateful.
To every client who gave us a chance — thank you for believing in what a small but committed team could do.
08 | The next 14 years?
AI. Tech. Generational shifts. Hybrid workplaces.
The future is coming fast.
But one thing will never change:
The power of human connection.
At Talent Academy, we’ll keep learning, evolving, and serving with heart — just as we always have.
Here’s to the next 14 years.
Let’s keep growing — together.
— Matchy, Founder of Talent Academy
#TalentAcademyHK #MatchyMa #EntrepreneurJourney #AIinLearning #CliftonStrengths #LeadershipDevelopment #LearningInnovation #FutureOfWork #Gratitude
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