Eugene Yao is the Co-Founder & CEO at eVouch, a plug and play marketing tool that seamlessly gets eCommerce shoppers to post Instagram stories about brands.

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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I studied at the University of Auckland majoring in Computer Science. After Graduating I went straight into a start-up as a developer. Respondly is an AI chat bot for realty websites, I was in charge of the mobile app and also the backend of the chatbot.

During my time at the start-up I grew passionate about tech start-ups. I decided to create my own in 2019. My current role is CEO, pretty much just building products and talking to customers.

2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

So I wake up at 6.30am to start my day and do the following in order: meditate, run, cold shower, breakfast, read and gym. After gym, I drive to the office. I get there usually around 8.30am – 9, I go through my daily administration work that takes roughly 30 mins.

Currently, I am building the product so I spend the majority of my day doing that and try to have at least 1-2 meetings everyday with people overseas just to connect and chat about eVouch. I end my day around 7pm to grab dinner.

3) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

Connection is the most important part of my balance, I make sure I hang out with mates on a weekly basis. I actually have a routine with my best friends to make sure I see them at least twice a week to chat and chill.

I’m quite a spiritual guy so I make sure to keep my mind in check. Running and gyming has become such a core pillar to my physical and mental health. I also spend a day a week with my parents. Going to brunch is huge for me, having that sunlight with nice coffee and great people really gives me the best vibes.

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4) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

I have picked up reading and I’m trying to get through one book a week minimum. In the past 12 months I’ve picked up running, gym and reading. I’ve stopped journeying.

5) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?+

Podcast definitely All In pod, that really keeps me up to date with what’s going on. Currently reading How to Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty, half way through but I’m already recommending it. The go to newsletter for me is Lenny’s newsletter, the best Saas materials if you are a Saas startup founder.

6) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

I’m quite happy about my own work-life balance so I don’t have a specific person I look up to for that.

7) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

If you are going through hard times, remember why you started and remember you’ve always come out the other side brighter and stronger. 

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