Having started Meka 3D Printing Pte Ltd (mēkā) in May 2013, Shafiq has grown from a new entrant into an entrenched part of the 3D printing ecosystem in Singapore. With no experience whatsoever (he graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences), Shafiq had to learn everything from mechanical and electrical engineering to materials sciences from Google (and youtube).
1. What made you join mēkā?
Well I did not really join mēkā, you could say mēkā joined me. It was in early 2013 where the 3D printing scene was slowly heating up with many patents having expired or expiring soon. I happened to chance upon a video of an early Makerbot cupcake cnc 3D printer and it was mesmerising. So I went out and did some research (by this I mean, Google), and bought a Reprappro Tricolor Mendel. This was one of the craziest things, it was just nuts and bolts, threaded and smooth rods, PCBs and wires. Here I was, coming from a land of pipettes and agar jelly and dropping myself into engineering. But I relished the challenge. I would be in the workspace at 6am and won't leave till midnight or later. It was fun times. Young, energetic and with a devil may care attitude.
(Our first workspace was in Toa Payoh, one of my friends father had a spare room that he loaned to us. My friends started Grain a video production company while I started mēkā.)
And we grew from there. There was a gap with 3D Printing Materials, we filled it with the 3D Printing Materials Store. There was a lack of trustworthy local suppliers of 3D printers, we filled it first with a partnership and then by taking over the distributorship in Singapore for Flashforge 3D Printers. Then we saw the opportunity in the education market and we filled that too. Now we are 3 very clear units catering to 3 very different industries. But our values are the same - Quality, Simplicity and Exploration.
2. What is your favourite part of your job here at mēkā?
Two things I love about starting my own business and about mēkā in particular - freedom and challenge (sometimes, it's the freedom to challenge).
There is an immense amount of freedom around the office. We are comfortable with each other and we know that we have each others backs. We have a very professional yet easy-going understanding with each other. Also there is the freedom that comes with having created a job for myself.
And challenge. Everyday we can come up with new ways to push our own personal boundaries and again because it is a job I created for myself, I can truly explore and push. Whether it is in our daily administration, products that we design or business units that we pursue, challenge is a big part of it. I can honestly say that if it was easy, I would be bored.
3. 3 fun facts about you that you want people to know.
1. I also have a business that builds grave monuments in Singapore. It is a business that I took over and re-named after my grandmother after she passed away. In some ways, I think of it as honouring her and what she has done for our family.
2. I always exceed my mobile data usage - not because of Facebook or Instagram but because of the Flipboard and Bloomberg apps on my phone. I enjoy constantly reading and learning and these two apps are my go-to.
3. I have a strong aversion to social media. But I am trying to engage more with family, friends and make new connections on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. In 2018, and hopefully beyond, I want to share a bit more and engage a lot more.
Bonus!
I am constantly exploring and thinking up new ideas, especially for new business. And I love speaking to different people about it. If you are the same, get in touch!
Hello 3dprms.com Owner! my name’s Eric and for just a second, imagine this…
- Someone does a search and winds up at 3dprms.com.
- They hang out for a minute to check it out. “I’m interested… but… maybe…”
- And then they hit the back button and check out the other search results instead.
- Bottom line – you got an eyeball, but nothing else to show for it.
- There they go.
This isn’t really your fault – it happens a LOT – studies show 7 out of 10 visitors to any site disappear without leaving a trace.
But you CAN fix that.
Web Visitors Into Leads is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It lets you know right then and there – enabling you to call that lead while they’re literally looking over your site.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to try out a Live Demo with Web Visitors Into Leads now to see exactly how it works.
Time is money when it comes to connecting with leads – the difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus 30 minutes later can be huge – like 100 times better!
Plus, now that you have their phone number, with our new SMS Text With Lead feature you can automatically start a text (SMS) conversation… so even if you don’t close a deal then, you can follow up with text messages for new offers, content links, even just “how you doing?” notes to build a relationship.
Strong stuff.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to discover what Web Visitors Into Leads can do for your business.
You could be converting up to 100X more leads today!
Eric
PS: Web Visitors Into Leads offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to try Web Visitors Into Leads now.
If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://advanceleadgeneration.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=3dprms.com
Hello 3dprms.com Owner!
My name is Eric and unlike a lot of emails you might get, I wanted to instead provide you with a word of encouragement – Congratulations
What for?
Part of my job is to check out websites and the work you’ve done with 3dprms.com definitely stands out.
It’s clear you took building a website seriously and made a real investment of time and resources into making it top quality.
There is, however, a catch… more accurately, a question…
So when someone like me happens to find your site – maybe at the top of the search results (nice job BTW) or just through a random link, how do you know?
More importantly, how do you make a connection with that person?
Studies show that 7 out of 10 visitors don’t stick around – they’re there one second and then gone with the wind.
Here’s a way to create INSTANT engagement that you may not have known about…
Web Visitors Into Leads is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It lets you know INSTANTLY that they’re interested – so that you can talk to that lead while they’re literally checking out 3dprms.com.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to try out a Live Demo with Web Visitors Into Leads now to see exactly how it works.
It could be a game-changer for your business – and it gets even better… once you’ve captured their phone number, with our new SMS Text With Lead feature, you can automatically start a text (SMS) conversation – immediately (and there’s literally a 100X difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus 30 minutes.)
Plus then, even if you don’t close a deal right away, you can connect later on with text messages for new offers, content links, even just follow up notes to build a relationship.
Everything I’ve just described is simple, easy, and effective.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to discover what Web Visitors Into Leads can do for your business.
You could be converting up to 100X more leads today!
Eric
PS: Web Visitors Into Leads offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to try Web Visitors Into Leads now.
If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://advanceleadgeneration.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=3dprms.com
Dear 3dprms.com Administrator. this is Eric and I ran across 3dprms.com a few minutes ago.
Looks great… but now what?
By that I mean, when someone like me finds your website – either through Search or just bouncing around – what happens next? Do you get a lot of leads from your site, or at least enough to make you happy?
Honestly, most business websites fall a bit short when it comes to generating paying customers. Studies show that 70% of a site’s visitors disappear and are gone forever after just a moment.
Here’s an idea…
How about making it really EASY for every visitor who shows up to get a personal phone call you as soon as they hit your site…
You can –
Web Visitors Into Leads is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It signals you the moment they let you know they’re interested – so that you can talk to that lead while they’re literally looking over your site.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to try out a Live Demo with Web Visitors Into Leads now to see exactly how it works.
You’ll be amazed – the difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus a half-hour or more later could increase your results 100-fold.
It gets even better… once you’ve captured their phone number, with our new SMS Text With Lead feature, you can automatically start a text (SMS) conversation.
That way, even if you don’t close a deal right away, you can follow up with text messages for new offers, content links, even just “how you doing?” notes to build a relationship.
Pretty sweet – AND effective.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to discover what Web Visitors Into Leads can do for your business.
You could be converting up to 100X more leads today!
Eric
PS: Web Visitors Into Leads offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
CLICK HERE http://advanceleadgeneration.com to try Web Visitors Into Leads now.
If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://advanceleadgeneration.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=3dprms.com
Dear 3dprms.com Webmaster.
My name is Eric and unlike a lot of emails you might get, I wanted to instead provide you with a word of encouragement – Congratulations
What for?
Part of my job is to check out websites and the work you’ve done with 3dprms.com definitely stands out.
It’s clear you took building a website seriously and made a real investment of time and resources into making it top quality.
There is, however, a catch… more accurately, a question…
So when someone like me happens to find your site – maybe at the top of the search results (nice job BTW) or just through a random link, how do you know?
More importantly, how do you make a connection with that person?
Studies show that 7 out of 10 visitors don’t stick around – they’re there one second and then gone with the wind.
Here’s a way to create INSTANT engagement that you may not have known about…
Web Visitors Into Leads is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It lets you know INSTANTLY that they’re interested – so that you can talk to that lead while they’re literally checking out 3dprms.com.
CLICK HERE https://advanceleadgeneration.com to try out a Live Demo with Web Visitors Into Leads now to see exactly how it works.
It could be a game-changer for your business – and it gets even better… once you’ve captured their phone number, with our new SMS Text With Lead feature, you can automatically start a text (SMS) conversation – immediately (and there’s literally a 100X difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus 30 minutes.)
Plus then, even if you don’t close a deal right away, you can connect later on with text messages for new offers, content links, even just follow up notes to build a relationship.
Everything I’ve just described is simple, easy, and effective.
CLICK HERE https://advanceleadgeneration.com to discover what Web Visitors Into Leads can do for your business.
You could be converting up to 100X more leads today!
Eric
PS: Web Visitors Into Leads offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
CLICK HERE https://advanceleadgeneration.com to try Web Visitors Into Leads now.
If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://advanceleadgeneration.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=3dprms.com
Cool website!
My name’s Eric, and I just found your site – 3dprms.com – while surfing the net. You showed up at the top of the search results, so I checked you out. Looks like what you’re doing is pretty cool.
But if you don’t mind me asking – after someone like me stumbles across 3dprms.com, what usually happens?
Is your site generating leads for your business?
I’m guessing some, but I also bet you’d like more… studies show that 7 out 10 who land on a site wind up leaving without a trace.
Not good.
Here’s a thought – what if there was an easy way for every visitor to “raise their hand” to get a phone call from you INSTANTLY… the second they hit your site and said, “call me now.”
You can –
Talk With Web Visitor is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It lets you know IMMEDIATELY – so that you can talk to that lead while they’re literally looking over your site.
CLICK HERE http://boostleadgeneration.com to try out a Live Demo with Talk With Web Visitor now to see exactly how it works.
Time is money when it comes to connecting with leads – the difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus 30 minutes later can be huge – like 100 times better!
That’s why we built out our new SMS Text With Lead feature… because once you’ve captured the visitor’s phone number, you can automatically start a text message (SMS) conversation.
Think about the possibilities – even if you don’t close a deal then and there, you can follow up with text messages for new offers, content links, even just “how you doing?” notes to build a relationship.
Wouldn’t that be cool?
CLICK HERE http://boostleadgeneration.com to discover what Talk With Web Visitor can do for your business.
You could be converting up to 100X more leads today!
Eric
PS: Talk With Web Visitor offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
CLICK HERE http://boostleadgeneration.com to try Talk With Web Visitor now.
If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://boostleadgeneration.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=3dprms.com