Jerry Hum is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Touch of Modern, the curated, online shopping destination for men to discover unexpected products, fashion brands and accessories to elevate their lifestyle. Jerry and his three co-founders started the company in 2012 as a place to showcase one-of-a-kind, in-season products from well-known brands and up-and-coming designers that men can’t easily find in mainstream retailers or at better prices. Today, the site is one of the most popular men’s lifestyle destinations, with more than seven million registered customers.
Recently named (along with his Touch of Modern co-founders) one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” for 2015, Jerry plays a key role in determining which products, brands and designers are featured on Touch of Modern. Trained in architecture and with a strong background in design, Jerry applies a systematic approach to curation, evaluating each proposed item against a strict set of criteria to meet customer demand and brand standards. Jerry is also a self-taught coder and when Touch of Modern launched, he handled all the front-end design and development.
Prior to starting Touch of Modern, Jerry was an architect with Swanke Hayden Connell Architecture. He received his architectural degree at Cornell University, where he focused on how the use of technology influences space and experience. A native of New York, Jerry now resides in San Francisco, where Touch of Modern is headquartered.
What does IMPACT mean to you?
Impact means changing the world in some way. Now that doesn't necessarily have to happen through some great humanitarian cause or some profound invention. In fact, the paths of most entrepreneurs won't lead there. But by building companies, entrepreneurs will at the very least change the world for their employees. That's the impact I see every day that we've created, particularly for the young people who started here early on and have now built established careers.
What gives you the drive/passion to do what you do? In other words, what is your WHY?
When people tell me what we're doing is impossible, I have an inexplicable need to prove them wrong. In the beginning, it was investors telling us that men don't shop and that we didn't have a market. Now, it's the general belief that e-commerce businesses are unattractive because they require a ton of capital to be profitable at meaningful scale. There's always been some force telling us that we're doing is impossible. I think if it ever got too easy, it would be time for me to move on.
HOW do you get your mission out into the world?
Through our employees of course. I can't do very much alone.
If you can bring anyone to lunch (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
Elon Musk. It takes incredible ambition to achieve so much and continue to risk it all over and over to achieve even more. I'd like to think I have a lot of ambition, but I'm no Elon Musk.
What one thing are you not doing right now that if you started doing it would take your business to the next level?
Engaging with our customers in person.
What is one thing you are doing right now that is taking your business to the next level?
We're working on building out richer content for our customers and fans.
What habits helped make you successful?
Reading. Before Touch of Modern, I was an architect in New York. I made it a habit to go to book stores during my lunch break to read books. One of my favorites was the Strand in SoHo. Every once in a while, they put out racks of used books for $1 each, and that's where I found a copy of Ruby on Rails for Dummies. After finding that book, I taught myself to how to code over the next 9 months on nights, weekends and during my commutes and lunches. And that eventually led me out to San Francisco with my fellow cofounders to start Touch of Modern.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
That there's nothing you can't recover from. I think that's something we learn from every failure.
What was your first concert?
My first concert was in college. At the end of the spring semester, Cornell has something called "Slope Day" which is a big concert on the the campus slope.
Where are you the happiest?
Behind the wheel of a car. Road trip!
What trait do you most admire in people?
Self-awareness. You can overcome a lot with self-awareness and the desire to be better.
Andi Wickman is a Business Strategist who helps high achieving entrepreneurs create massive success with consistent inspired action.
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