Nowadays, children as young as seven can be a pop star on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and many more. As we are blessed with technology advancement, more and more parents are concerned over their children’s technological gadget addictions and also the content they are exposed to online.
So, do we stop our children from using one? Absolutely not! Children as young as four can sketch on sketch boards with pens, send messages and emojis and last but not least, take photos with lightweight cameras.
G-Jay Yong, a father of one and also the founder of myFirst, a leading kids’ technology brand, takes a moment to chat with Mamahood on how his daughter constantly inspires him in his business, and how he strikes a balance between his work and family life.
G-Jay Yong On His Love For Tech and Daughter With Mamahood
#1 Mamahood: We know you were inspired to create myFirst because of your daughter. Do you mind telling us more about her?
G-Jay Yong: My daughter is Ru Faye and she is now six years old.
She is funny and creative. Besides singing, she enjoys drawing and sketching most of the time. While having fun with us, she always comes up with a variety of ideas with her limitless imagination.
On top of this, she is quite active in sports and she enjoys obstacle challenges. One of her favourites would probably be the obstacle training.
She loves taking photos, too, especially when we are out on our family trips.
#2 Mamahood: Since we’re on the topic of your daughter, what would you say is the memory you have as a child that you wish your daughter could experience?
G-Jay Yong: As compared to nowadays, how I was brought up is very different. As a child, I was very active and adventurous. I really enjoyed travelling and exploring outdoor sports. In this way, my daughter is quite similar to me. So, both of us share the same passion of embracing nature and exploring outdoor activities.
This is truly a blessing as I am able to relive my childhood memories with her. From climbing trees back then, now we enjoy outdoor rock climbing. And from playing in the drains [longkang], we now swim in pools as a family.
But, I would say that it was more carefree during my childhood.
#3 Mamahood: Walk us through the first time you told your daughter you are about to create this technological innovation – How was her reaction?
G-Jay Yong: My daughter was ecstatic when I told her about myFirst Camera. That was the first time I told her about the product of my business.
She couldn’t wait to try it out once it was done. It’s our blessings that she always LOVES our new products. She always gives us reviews on the products and great ideas on how we can make the product better the next round.
In fact, the R1 watchphone in lilac purple was proposed by her. She chose the colour and we initially felt that the colour code was a bit off. However, we decided to go for it and it turned out to be our top-selling model of the watchphone!
So, she is basically our Product Chief Officer now!
#4 Mamahood: What’s the best memory you had when you first started out with the business that involves your family?
G-Jay Yong: I remember the time when my daughter went shopping and saw myFirst products displayed on a retail shelf. Out of excitement, she shouted to her mom,
That’s Daddy’s product!
As she saw us demonstrating the products to others, she felt a bit uncomfortable as she thought that the products we were demonstrating were hers. We had to reassure her that her products were at home. Only then, she felt more comfortable and joined us in the demonstration.
In fact, we are very glad to know that she loves the products that were co-developed by her. She has developed an ownership over the products.
#5 Mamahood: Coming up with a new technology line to help kids must not be easy. How do you divide your time as a businessman and a father?
G-Jay Yong: One of the main issues is time. Due to long working hours with a lot of meetings and extensive travelling, I wasn’t able to spend more time with my family.
As an alternative, I consider prioritisation and time management important factors. Hence, no matter how hectic my work gets, I would definitely set aside time for my family. I always try to separate my family time from my working time.
I usually try to start my day by having breakfast with my family. I would also have dinner with them so that we can catch up on one another. Then, I would usually continue working.
As for weekends, I would focus more on spending my time with family.
The best way to spend time with my daughter is certainly to involve her in the business and build the products together!
And most importantly, I constantly remind myself not to bring any business “frustration” home.
#6 Mamahood: We know the Internet can expose kids to negativity and this makes parents concerned. How would you say myFirst can help prevent this from happening?
G-Jay Yong: We believe that technology is now part and parcel of everyone’s life. Instead of avoiding or preventing kids from using it, we want parents to embrace technology and harness the advantages!
This might be a better approach where we usually encourage parents to get their children to be in touch with the technology earlier with parental guidance.
By slowly easing into technology with our accompaniment, our children will be less likely to get thrusted straight into the unknown, as compared to them exploring on their own.
For instance, myFirst watchphone is our product that makes use of the power of technology safely while users, especially the younger children, are protected by its functions. Parents can set safe perimeters on the watch where children will not abuse and get addicted to the device.
With this, children can still benefit from technology and learn how to connect with others. At the same time, they will learn to do things faster and more efficiently.
#7 Mamahood: Now, we know myFirst has numerous lines of products, from cameras to watchphones. If there is a chance of producing a new product line, what would it be?
G-Jay Yong: For us, it could be something that can control the pixel time and minimise the eye strain problem for the children. This is because children nowadays are having way too much screen time and the rate of myopia has been increasing over the recent years.
#8 Mamahood: Lastly, what do you have to say to parents out there who wanted to start a business, but worried it would be too risky?
G-Jay Yong: Most of us would always hesitate on whether it’s too risky to start a business, or when may be the right time.
However, there are never answers for these questions. The only key to the answers is yourself. You will be the one to determine the outcome and the answers.
For us, we realised the missing link in the children’s technology gadget industry. We noticed that parents, like us, were constantly looking for innovative and high-quality tech gadgets that are children-friendly and decent-looking, while not overloaded with cuteness.
However, what’s available in the market were just some toy versions of an adult camera, microphones and many more. This made me realise that both my team and I could create something functional for the children, since all of us were developers and engineers.
Most importantly, we are fathers!
So, there is never a right time and there will always be challenges. But, opportunities usually only come with challenges. And I believe that every business owner is a risk taker. Do your research and bear in mind that all big businesses were once small, too.
Thank you G-Jay Yong and myFirst for taking the lead in protecting our children from threats online, while empowering them to thrive in the technological world!
Most photos courtesy of G-Jay Yong.