Steven Bartlett, host of The Diary of a CEO (DOAC) podcast, is one of the world’s most influential young entrepreneurs and investors with over 11million YouTube subscribers and nearly 5 million Instagram followers. He’s also the youngest host of Dragon’s Den on BBC (and has arguably the best investment track record among the hosts after the recent success of PerfectTed - and his recent headline news investment in Cadence), while his book "The Diary Of A CEO: The 33 Laws for Business & Life," is a Sunday Times bestseller.

Just like Steven’s story, Shopify champions entrepreneurs who start small, dream big, and keep building no matter the obstacles. Shopify was the official title sponsor of Steven Bartlett’s “Business & Life Speaking Tour” in Asia - with stops in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Bali. As a leading Shopify partner in Hong Kong, Wave Commerce was proudly engaged by Shopify to co-sponsor and officiate the Hong Kong leg of the tour. 

As part of the deep partnership between Shopify and Wave Commerce, this event was more than a talk - it was a celebration of Hong Kong’s fast-evolving ecommerce and retail community. Together, we wanted to create a space where founders and brand builders could connect, learn, and be inspired by one of the most influential entrepreneurial voices.

An Evening That Brought Local Builders Together

Known globally as the entrepreneur behind The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett redefined how people view and engage with podcasts. Steven shared lessons that went far beyond business tactics - touching on mindset, leadership, and purpose.

He reminded us that growth is uncomfortable - and that’s the point. True progress happens when we lean into uncertainty, challenge our own assumptions, and stay relentlessly curious.

“Stop telling yourself you’re not qualified, good enough or worthy. Growth happens when you start doing the things you’re not qualified to do.” - Steven Bartlett

Giving Back to the Ecommerce Community

As event sponsors, Shopify and Wave Commerce wanted this experience to be a thank you to the incredible community we’re proud to serve. We hosted members of Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s ecommerce and retail community in front-row seats and a dedicated Shopify Lounge, creating space for conversations that continue to shape our industry.

At the Shopify lounge, guests had a lively VIP treatment where they could discuss their business challenges and growth questions directly with Steven!

Our Wave Commerce booth showcased an exciting selection of innovative products from local Shopify merchants, such as New Era, Dr. Martens, Pretti5, PiiGii, and GP Batteries - as well as take home some goodies from the brands. 

Nearby, Shopify retailer, Bookazine, had an exciting library of curiousity where guests could purchase Steven Bartlett's book, or order other books hand picked by Steven.

Lessons for the Future of Leadership and Growth

Steven’s key insights:

• Leadership isn’t about control - it’s about listening deeply and empowering others.
  
• Innovation doesn’t come from following trends - it starts with asking better questions.
  
• The most successful founders build cultures before companies - teams that share purpose, not just targets.

Steven’s talk was clearly a spark for something bigger! He reminded us that the future of entrepreneurship and brands isn’t just about building companies, it’s about communities, cultures, and ecosystems. That’s the energy we want to keep nurturing in Hong Kong!

These lessons feel especially timely for brands in the Greater Bay Area, where a new generation of creators and founders are building global brands that blend creativity, technology, and resilience.

Looking Ahead

At Wave Commerce, we believe that growth happens when communities come together - when knowledge, creativity, and technology intersect. That’s why we have been running Hong Kong’s first Shopify Meetups since 2017, and host regular events, webinars, and frequently publish content for the community.

Partnering with Shopify to bring Steven Bartlett to Hong Kong was a reminder of that vision: to keep building an ecosystem where brands can thrive - both locally and globally.

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About Wave Commerce

Wave Commerce is a leading Hong Kong-based ecommerce consultancy and Shopify Plus Partner. We help brands scale through digital transformation, omnichannel retail solutions, and customer loyalty programs that build lasting relationships.