#107 Quit His Job, Built a Media Powerhouse! The GRVTY Media Story with Johnathan Chua

Every experience is a dot waiting to be connected. The more you explore—through the people you meet, the lessons you learn, and the risks you take—the clearer the bigger picture becomes. For Johnathan Chua, CEO and co-founder of GRVTY Media, these dots have shaped his entrepreneurial journey in unexpected ways. From growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to resigning just two weeks after a pay rise, every decision led him toward building one of the region’s most recognised media companies.

 

In this episode of NOTG, hosted by Melvin Lim, Johnathan reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career—the realisations, the challenges, and a tough but invaluable lesson learned from a $4,000 business pitch failure. But beyond business, he delves into personal growth—the shift from being direct and assertive to becoming a more mindful and rational leader.

 

He reveals an unconventional business idea inspired by a trip to Australia, reimagining what retirement homes could look like. Plus, his take on hiring friends, why he prioritises value over cost-cutting, and the advice he would give aspiring entrepreneurs. Every experience leads somewhere. Tune in to hear how Johnathan’s journey might help you make sense of the dots in yours.

 

00:00 Intro
01:04 Family business and entrepreneurial background
03:01 Discussion about parents running businesses
04:15 Studying hospitality and business management
05:12 Regrets and educational journey
07:04 Getting married and financial considerations
07:47 First jobs and early career experiences
12:17 Needing a salary raise
15:06 Asking for a raise and the emotional reaction from his mom
18:38 Considering pharmaceutical sales and commercial diving for money
20:38 Joining Vulcan Post and evolving into GRVTY Media
24:33 The creation of "Real Talk" and challenges with monetization
27:05 Differentiating GRVTY Media from other creative agencies
30:51 Overthinking vs underthinking in business decision-making
34:04 Managing talents and challenges of talent retention
39:03 Lessons on business models and avoiding a race to the bottom
42:06 Interest in solving retirement issues and future goals
49:50 The "Last Resort"
50:10 The emotional toll of being an entrepreneur
53:51 Different personality types for different persons
55:49 Firing people
57:12 Quitting GRVTY Media
59:58 Hiring friends and firing friends
1:04:20 Finding the source of the problem in the company
1:06:30 It's just a job
1:07:26 Future plans, who is going to take over GRVTY Media
1:09:51 Underdog fears
1:11:20 First impression leads to connections
1:11:48 Advice to entrepreneur
1:13:03 Superpower to help at your work
1:20:08 Closing thoughts
1:20:20 Outtakes