e27 has been nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs since its inception. Our Contributor Programme offers a platform for sharing unique insights. As part of our ‘Contributor Spotlight’ series, we shine a spotlight on an outstanding contributor and dive into the vastness of their knowledge and expertise.
This episode features Sebastian Tai Jian Haw, a digital and e-commerce strategist with 13+ years of experience driving growth at Abbott, Mettler-Toledo, and Lazada.
He mentors students through GMI and supports talent development in the e-commerce industry, helping young professionals navigate digital careers with confidence. With deep expertise in B2B, marketplaces, and transformation, he also joined the Antler Cohort to validate an AI-enabled engagement platform for the pharma sector and expand his startup knowledge.
Sebastian joined our contributor community in June and has been actively contributing since. Over the past quarter, his writing has explored themes across startup leadership, digital transformation, and the health and medtech sectors in Southeast Asia. With a cross-disciplinary background, he brings a practical and thoughtful lens to some of the region’s most dynamic challenges.
In the sections below, he reflects on his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and what keeps her going.
How I got here
I once left a steady company for a faster track and a bigger role. On paper, it looked like a bold career move. Six months later, the startup shut down.
That experience didn’t break me, it refined me.
I stopped chasing titles and started pursuing alignment. Every step since has been more intentional, more grounded, and more human.
If I had to explain my work to a kid
I help people and companies become better versions of themselves.
Imagine if your favourite toy shop knew exactly what made you happy and surprised you with it. I help businesses create that kind of experience for their customers.
I also support individuals who feel stuck. Some need help getting strong again, like in gym class. Others just need someone to remind them of their value.
My job is to help people grow: in work, in life, and in confidence.
Lessons learned along the way
I used to think success meant moving up. Now I know it’s about moving forward. Sometimes that means sideways. Sometimes through.
My path has taken me from food science to restaurant trainee, to high-growth roles in e-commerce and digital transformation, to startup validation, and even personal training.
Reinvention isn’t the backup plan anymore. It’s the real plan.
Also Read: The power of automation: How Sabrina ‘Princessa’ Wang uses AI to create time for what matters most
What more people should notice
We often glorify disruption and overlook relevance.
While exploring a startup idea at Antler, I focused on how pharma brands could better engage doctors in underserved markets. It wasn’t flashy, but it was real.
The real opportunity often lies in solving unglamorous yet deeply important problems. The kind that rarely make headlines but quietly change lives.
Why I write
I help people and companies become better versions of themselves.
Imagine if your favourite toy shop knew exactly what made you happy and surprised you with it. I help businesses create that kind of experience for their customers.
I also support individuals who feel stuck. Some need help getting strong again, like in gym class. Others just need someone to remind them of their value.
My job is to help people grow: in work, in life, and in confidence.
I used to think success meant moving up. Now I know it’s about moving forward. Sometimes that means sideways. Sometimes through.
My path has taken me from food science to restaurant trainee, to high-growth roles in e-commerce and digital transformation, to startup validation, and even personal training.
Reinvention isn’t the backup plan anymore. It’s the real plan.
Also Read: The power of automation: How Sabrina ‘Princessa’ Wang uses AI to create time for what matters most
What more people should notice
We often glorify disruption and overlook relevance.
While exploring a startup idea at Antler, I focused on how pharma brands could better engage doctors in underserved markets. It wasn’t flashy, but it was real.
The real opportunity often lies in solving unglamorous yet deeply important problems. The kind that rarely make headlines but quietly change lives.
Why I write
We often glorify disruption and overlook relevance.
While exploring a startup idea at Antler, I focused on how pharma brands could better engage doctors in underserved markets. It wasn’t flashy, but it was real.
The real opportunity often lies in solving unglamorous yet deeply important problems. The kind that rarely make headlines but quietly change lives.
I’ve mentored students and young professionals, and I’ve seen how isolating it can feel to be in the middle of change. Writing became a way to pass the torch and offer the kind of clarity I once needed.
I usually write when something I’ve lived through keeps echoing in my mind. That is when I know it is no longer just for me.
My advice for aspiring thought leaders
Speak from experience, not performance. The most powerful messages come from real moments, not rehearsed lines.
Whether I am mentoring, coaching, or leading teams, I have learned that clarity, honesty, and purpose connect more than polish ever will. Say it like it matters, because to someone, it will.
What drives my curiosity
I’m fascinated by what makes people begin again. Whether it’s someone returning to the gym, rebuilding after burnout, or chasing a dream that scares them, I’m drawn to the quiet, private moment when they choose not to give up. That is the kind of strength I never stop learning from.
Influences that shaped me
I’m fascinated by what makes people begin again. Whether it’s someone returning to the gym, rebuilding after burnout, or chasing a dream that scares them, I’m drawn to the quiet, private moment when they choose not to give up. That is the kind of strength I never stop learning from.
Michelle Obama taught me to lead with honesty. James Clear sharpened how I think about habits and momentum. Percy Jackson, yes, the teen demigod, reminded me that even unlikely heroes have a place, and that strength often begins with self-doubt.
My late mother-in-law showed me that dignity does not ask for attention. My parents modelled persistence without needing praise. And my four cats have taught me the value of stillness, boundaries, and knowing when to walk away.
Take a look at Sebastian’s articles here for more insights and perspectives on his expertise.
—
Are you ready to join a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and industry experts? Do you have insights, experiences, and knowledge to share?
Join the e27 Contributor Programme and become a valuable voice in our ecosystem.
The post Sebastian Tai Jian Haw on growth, reinvention, and showing up real appeared first on e27.