S3, E37 | Alone, But Not Lonely: The Real Cost of Leadership with Derek Toh

What does it actually take to walk away from a comfortable life and build a business from scratch? At 33, Derek Toh did exactly that—abandoning a highly stable corporate accounting career in London to return to Malaysia and dive into the unpredictable world of recruitment. When he eventually decided to launch the job platform Hiredly, he didn't wait for massive funding or perfect software; instead, he walked into pitching rooms armed with nothing but a basic PDF mockup and a compelling vision. He proved that resourcefulness and a rock-solid personal reputation are worth far more than any legal contract or polished pitch deck. But the entrepreneurial dream isn't all cover stories and immediate wealth. In this incredibly candid conversation, Derek strips away the glamour of being a founder to reveal the true mental and financial toll of leadership. He opens up about the brutal reality of Year 3, where despite gaining major media traction, he found himself with just 7 ringgit in his bank account, unable to pay for a simple mamak dinner. He also walks us through the painful internal crisis of scaling Hirely, sharing how an layers of middle management almost destroyed the company's core culture by hiding real problems behind picture-perfect corporate messaging. Deeply introspective and fiercely honest, Derek Toh joins the podcast to share his ultimate guide to mental resilience. Tune in to learn why asking "stupid" questions is the fastest way to learn , how to look for the "blessing in disguise" when everything goes wrong , and how separating your true self from the stressful thoughts in your head can save you from burning out. 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story (Link in Bio) Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor