Shae Hong

Why Him

His infectious positive energy and entrepreneurial drive have helped him turn Sensio into one of North America’s most successful small-appliance businesses—as well as establishing him as a sought-after angel investor.

Where does your drive come from?

I have a strong belief in what I’m able to accomplish through being determined, disciplined, diligent and focused. When I was a junior in high school, I had such a desire to play football, but was told by every coach I came across that I was so bad I should quit. I decided to pour my heart and soul into training— and eventually became a captain on the team by working harder than everyone else. I was able to beat the odds and went on to play in college. That laid the foundation for my success as an entrepreneur.

What would you say to your 20-year-old self?

Enjoy the ride every single day. Remind yourself of everything you have to be thankful for in order to keep your energy positive and your momentum moving forward. Always trust your gut—your instincts are your best asset.

The best memories often result from going off the grid or off schedule. Describe one.

Every summer I take a week or two at the end of August to totally disconnect. During those weeks, there are so many great memories that come from doing things I normally wouldn’t do—like going on a fishing expedition for four hours with my son, hanging at the beach with my family or laying by the pool with my daughter, just hanging out and talking.