Meet Benjamin Ang | Founder & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benjamin Ang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benjamin, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work-life balance has been a topic that has always been in the back of our minds, and only recently through the pandemic, has become more apparent and urgent to us.

My company, Genesis Motion Design, is bootstrapped from my savings growing up without any assistance from investors. With everything on the line, work-life balance and mental wellness was something that stayed at the back of my mind throughout the first 3 years of running the business.

My working hours were a ridiculous 15 to 16 hours daily, 6 days a week, as failure was something that I couldn’t bear. I remember there were times where I was so mentally exhausted and depressed working, but I still had to force myself to work to stay afloat and make a profit.

Since then, I have made it a point not to trade my health for wealth.

After establishing the foundations of the business, my priority has since then switched to ensuring mental wellness is also taken into consideration for the rest of my team, while still staying profitable.

Did it take a toll on the overall growth and profit? I would be lying if it didn’t. But was it worth the sacrifice? Absolutely.

What should our readers know about your business?
Being a Singaporean and growing up in the city-state, I was never the studious type and didn’t excel in high school. I did, however, have a knack for creativity and problem-solving growing up. I wasn’t sure what to Major in but then decided to listen to my inner child and followed this path to take a Diploma in Motion Graphics.

This led to me, for the first time in my life, enjoying my education and taking my learning seriously. Coming to the final year, I managed to clinch a local internship that was leading the charge of Motion Graphics back in 2011 and gave me a better portfolio when I graduated.

Upon graduation, I then found myself in the place that started it all; Los Angeles, California, for an internship as well that lasted 3 months and had to return to Singapore to serve the nation through our mandatory military service for 2 years.

2 years was a long time for an ever-progressing and quick growing industry. After 2 years, I felt like I had to start from scratch again as I lost touch on the craft. I also, couldn’t find a place to work that I felt that truly encompasses the great points from both internships.

The hustle mentality of Asia, the high standards of work, the care and casualness within all levels of the company from Los Angeles.

Hence, the company, Genesis Motion Design was formed; with the name reminding me of what we are standing and fighting for, to prove that we’re able to care for our team while still doing great work despite the naysayers that are accommodated to the ‘crunch’ culture.

Genesis functions not just as a business, but as a movement, to give creatives a space that they can thrive in.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The best spots about my beautiful city-state, Singapore? In my opinion, these are the places where the locals go and eat. As I’m someone who prefers to only head out when necessary, here’s a selection of places that you might enjoy:

1. Old Airport Road Hawker Center (For amazing local food, and to enjoy the hawker culture)
2. Bugis Street (Street food and street markets and stores for cheap deals)
3. Marina Bay Sands (Just because there is a pool at the very top!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank God, for his continual grace flowing through the things that I do. Without his grace, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

My wife, Daphne, and my family, who have understood and stood by me when the going got tough.

And lastly, my colleagues and ex-colleagues, who have contributed to the growth of the company; we wouldn’t be here today without it.

Website: https://wearegenesis.tv

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wearegenesis.tv

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angbenjamin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearegenesis.tv

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/genesismotiondesign