Felix Lee: From a 19-year-old kid who got scammed to building a global movement in design mentorship

In this episode of the Beyond the Interface podcast, we sit down with Felix Lee, Co-founder and CEO of ADPList, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Felix has reshaped how mentorship is accessed, creating a global platform that connects mentors and mentees from over 140 countries. Felix shares his unconventional journey from Singapore to Silicon Valley, detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He discusses the inception of ADPList during the pandemic as a response to the need for mentorship and support in the design community. Felix emphasizes the importance of leadership principles, hiring A-players, and maintaining a strong community. He also delves into his competitive mindset, the future aspirations for ADPList, and the significance of building a supportive network through ambassador programs.https://adplist.org/https://adplist.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixleezdChapters:00:00 Felix Lee's Journey: From Singapore to Startup Success09:10 The Power of Personal Branding on LinkedIn15:42 Guiding Principles for Building ADPList21:28 Hiring A-Players: The Key to Success29:41 The Impact of A-Players on Growth35:02 Can B-Players Become A-Players?40:33 The Role of Company Mission in Motivation49:50 Maintaining Mentor Engagement and Quality01:01:31 Ensuring Quality Among Mentors01:09:22 The Transformative Power of Mentorship01:19:36 Navigating Competition: A Contrarian Approach01:26:29 The Mentality of a Founder: Nature vs. Nurture01:37:26 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Projects