Joseph Ho (Founder of E-Alchemists)

E-Alchemists is online marketing company that applies Search Engine Optimisations (SEOs) to drive traffic to a website. It is becoming an increasing popular channel of marketing for most companies as we live in a digital age. Kopi Commerce had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph Ho, the founder of E-Alchemists. 

Q1. How would you describe your business in one sentence? 

E-Alchemists is a digital marketing agency that focuses on delivering customised solutions to help clients win in their businesses.

Q2. How did you come up with the name of your company?

I was inspired by the quote in an anime called Full-Metal Alchemists, “To create, something of equal value must be lost.” This is the principle of Equivalent Exchange, where there is no short-cut to success. So we decided to take the name ‘Alchemists’ and added an ‘E’ to emphasise our digital focus. E-Alchemists was created with this philosophy in mind. 

Q3. What made you want to start your company and become an entrepreneur?

I was facing a lot of frustrations in my previous jobs. I worked the night shift at a hospital as a desktop engineer. Here, I saw people suffering in front of my eyes everyday and it was hard to swallow. One day, my wife said to me, “Why don’t you just start your own business instead?” And from there E-Alchemists was born.

Q4. What gap in the market persuaded you to launch your company?

It was born out of frustration with previous jobs and partnerships I found myself in. I knew that my expertise was in demand, but I could not find the right team to fully express my skills and passion with. That was the driving force behind my desire to start my own company. I also knew that the demand for my skills in digital marketing will only grow as we live in a digital age. At the time, it made total sense to me to start E-Alchemists. 

Q5. Tell us a bit about your background.

My name is Joseph Ho. I am 31 years old and I am Singaporean. My hobbies include building computers and marketing on the internet through Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). My parents started a business when I was 18 and this influenced me to get into the business world and find my own direction in life.

In 2006, I decided to try my hand for the first time in the field of Network Marketing by starting ‘Sunshine Empire’ in hopes of learning the ropes and exploring how it could benefit people around me. 

In 2007, I decided to follow my passion and build the business by quitting my full time job in the hopes of being able to achieve more in the field. Unfortunately, the network marketing business (Sunshine Empire) failed in 2008 and the company had to be shut. 

This was a huge setback from where I wanted to be, and truthfully, it hurt quite a bit. With my future on the line, I became very depressed and anxious. Eventually, I decided to go back into employment even though it was not where I wanted to be at the time nor was it my end goal. I had to work 2 jobs, one in the day and one in the evening just to survive. 

After this, there were several more failed business attempts provided me with learning experiences and know-how. They helped me discover which approach would be the best to take in the business world, as well as the things that could be avoided in order to give myself the best possible chance of success in the future. 

Through those experiences, I began to understand the value of going through difficult times and what it takes to truly be successful in the things that you love in life. 

“It is not because it’s difficult, therefore we dare not. It’s because we dare not, therefore it is difficult” 

In 2010, I started to become serious about Internet Marketing and focused on my main expertise Search Engine Optimisation by setting up niche and authority websites. Although I consider this my expertise, I still continue to learn and expand upon this knowledge on a daily basis. The digital world changes so fast, so the learning never stops! 

I started E-Alchemists LLP in 2011, an online marketing firm that helps startups, small and medium businesses with their digital solutions, such as web hosting and web development in addition to website design and SEO technology in order to drive traffic to their sites and businesses. Search Engine Optimisations (SEOs) increase traffic to websites, which can be translated into leads for a company. More importantly, SEOs work 24/7 - something that can’t be said about other marketing channels. In my personal life, I’ve been happily married for three years and have a beautiful daughter + 1 coming this year 

Q6. According to Bloomberg, 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs fail within the first 18 months. What were the obstacles you faced when you first started your company and what motivated you to face these obstacles and continue? 

The first obstacle I faced was finding the right team members as a startup. It is not easy to find team members with the right mindset and commitment. 

It took me 15 months to find my Co-Founder & Web Alchemist, Tong, and I was very lucky to meet him. He and I share the same personal goals and dreams and that is how we get along so well. Usually the first member you try to bring in is the hardest, and I was not willing to give up. I was then very fortunate to have TK as our Niche creator alchemist, Kerrie as our social media alchemist and Steven as our SEO & SEM Alchemist. They each play a critical role for the growth of the company. 

Q7. How do you differentiate yourselves from competitors?

Our drive, attitude and passion set us apart. For me and my team, it’s not just a job - it’s also a passion. We are very service-oriented and love to see results and growth for our clients. We are also very people-focused- we build relationships. There are many digital marketing agencies out there, many of them would be able to give you the solutions you need, but how we do it differently is in the way we truly tailor our solutions for clients and do our best to make sure that they are satisfied with the results. We maintain a healthy relationship with our clients through monthly online meetings or meet-ups where we discuss about the current direction of the campaign as well as new objectives and strategies. 

Q8. Where do you see your company in the next 5 years?

We are transforming from a digital marketing agency to a media company whereby we are going to increase our own web properties like ieatandeat.com, building up a native audience, so that we can help our clients gain instant online presence. 

Q9. What do you wish you knew when you first started that you know now?

I would say that I should have started out on my own earlier rather than joining other startups. 

Q10. What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs? 

Dare to fail and learn from mistakes. Consistency, commitment and persistence is key to make sure your dreams come true.

Q11. Can you convince the reader to use your company’s products/services in a few lines?

Unlike other digital marketing agencies, E-Alchemists is concerned about more than just results - we really care about achieving your business objectives, and are dedicated to sharing our knowledge and skills to establish your online presence and to help you win in your industry in the long-run. 

Q12. What are you most excited about at the moment?

Enhancing our food advertising food platform Ieatandeat.com. We are also excited about our joint partnership with e-commerce sites Anneematthew.com and Singseesoon.com 

Q13. Obligatory- What’s your favourite Kopi drink? 

Kopi O :)

Visit - http://e-alchemists.com/ to find out more about the company!

Do give them a 'Like' on Facebook too - https://www.facebook.com/EAlchemists