Meet Jonathan, who at 19 started his journey with $800, no formal skills, and no network. While many of his peers were securing scholarships and excelling academically, Jonathan chose a different route—one rooted in self-education, resilience, and relentless experimentation. This bold decision would eventually lead him to found Graphite Academy, a premier coding enrichment centre.
He’s also involved in an education and training company that empowers individuals and organisations to master leadership, communication, and performance under pressure. Today, through his workshops, corporate training, and keynote speeches, Jonathan shares his unique insights into mindset, team dynamics, and growth—guiding others to unlock their full potential, just as he did.
At 19, you started with just $800, no skills, and no network. What was the defining moment that pushed you to commit to changing your future?
At the time, I looked around and realised my friends were getting scholarships and doing really well in school, but I had no competitive advantage. Many of them were more academically inclined, and I knew I couldn’t compete with them on the same playing field.
So I made a decision—I had to do something different to stand a chance. I chose to carve out a new path for myself, even if I had to start with almost nothing.
You took two years off to travel and attend personal development retreats. How did that break reshape your perspective on success and business?
That break was incredibly valuable. A lot of what I learned during those two years—whether it was managing a team, communicating a vision, or making sales—became foundational to how I run my businesses today.
Those skills were internalised, and they’ve become part of my day-to-day operations. Looking back, I realise that period wasn’t a break—it was intensive training in disguise.
What inspired you to move into the education and training space?
During that time, I started working as a freelance instructor and quickly noticed a gap in the market. Many companies didn’t know how to train their instructors effectively, especially when starting from zero. I saw an opportunity to bridge that gap using the skills I had picked up during my travels and self-development journey.
What began as an attempt to solve one small problem eventually grew. It became a business organically. Over time, we discovered more gaps, and solving those became part of our growth. It all started with one problem—and it turned out to be a fun and fulfilling journey.
Can you share an example of how your experience with public speaking and peak performance has impacted the lives or teams you’ve worked with?
During those two years, I learned a range of soft skills—public speaking, peak performance, emotional intelligence—all of which I later applied to teaching. The impact was clear. Clients would request us again. Contracts were renewed. Students won competitions. Most importantly, they enjoyed learning.
Teachers, schools, and students all responded positively. It wasn’t surface-level or rote learning. The students actually retained the material and wanted to come back. That, to me, is a sign that the soft skills I acquired weren’t just transferable—they were transformative.
Good leadership involves being able to communicate both the big picture and the micro-details. Team members should understand: “If I do this, that happens.” It becomes a clear, actionable process.
You describe yourself as passionate about leadership development and building winning teams. What’s your personal definition of a great leader?
A great leader understands their team deeply—what motivates them, what doesn’t, their preferences, and their strengths. But beyond that, a leader must have a clear vision—not just a vague idea, but a concrete understanding of what the end goal looks like and the steps required to get there.
Good leadership involves being able to communicate both the big picture and the micro-details. Team members should understand: “If I do this, that happens.” It becomes a clear, actionable process.
Finally, a great leader brings the team together, aligns their strengths, and inspires them with a shared goal that excites everyone. That’s what I aim for.
If you could give one piece of advice to a 19-year-old today who feels stuck like you once did, what would it be?
Keep learning—but be intentional about what you learn. Focus on acquiring useful, practical skill sets. When I started out, I learned soft skills like communication, sales, and mindset. I didn’t have money, so I borrowed books from the library and attended free networking events—anything to get started.
Once you build a base, you can progress to more advanced skills. But don’t just learn for the sake of learning. You need to enjoy the process. If you don’t like what you’re learning, it won’t stick.
Also, practise. I used to go to events just to practise introducing myself and talking to strangers. It was awkward at first, but it became fun. That’s how growth happens—through action, not just theory.
As a keynote speaker, what is one lesson you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One key lesson I often share is that when managing a team, the goal is to get everyone aligned. But alignment isn’t automatic—everyone has different motivations, skills, and needs.
If you can match each person to tasks that suit their strengths and aren’t a burden to them, they’ll be more productive and engaged. The work will be done well, without being substandard.
When I give keynotes, I talk about how to identify these alignment points, how to reduce friction in the team, and how to build systems that enable performance. Once you find that sweet spot for each person, teamwork becomes much easier.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
In the next five years, I believe technology—especially AI—will play an even more integral role in Singapore. But with that comes a need for context and critical thinking. Tools are only powerful when you know how to use them meaningfully.
At our company, we provide the context; our team executes the content. I believe Singaporeans need to shift from content-driven work to context-driven roles. That’s how we stay competitive.
We shouldn’t just ask what tools do. We should ask: “How can I make this tool work for me?” That ability—to frame and apply context—is a crucial skillset for the future. And it’s one we need to teach and cultivate across industries.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
When I was younger, I thought flying would be the coolest power—freedom, speed, adventure. But now, as an entrepreneur, I’d love the ability to instantly understand how things work.
Like in the TV series Heroes, there’s a character who can look at something, understand how it functions at a fundamental level, and replicate it. That’s the power I’d want: to look at any system or tool, grasp its mechanics, and recreate or improve it.
With that kind of clarity, you could solve almost any problem. You could design better systems, align people faster, and make smarter decisions. Even one day with that power could give you a blueprint for years of growth. That’s the competitive edge I’d choose.
Connect with Jonathan: Graphite Academy and LinkedIn.
Jonathan is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
