Tag: founder

The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 2: Turning Failures into Milestones

The Journey Before Favoriot

If you’ve been following my journey, you already know that the Favoriot IoT Platform wasn’t our first attempt in the IoT world. Before we arrived at this point, my team and I worked tirelessly on two earlier products: Raqib and Favorsense. Despite our best intentions and efforts, neither venture has gained traction in the market.

The Launch of Raqib

I still vividly remember the day we launched Raqib. I looked at my team and said, “This is going to be a game-changer!” The enthusiasm in the room was electric. But reality had its own plans. We faced unexpected technical challenges, and our marketing efforts fell short. It was a tough pill to swallow, but we kept pushing forward.

Lessons from Favorsense

Then came Favorsense, a product built on a promising idea. This time, I thought, “Surely, we’ve learned from our mistakes.” And while the concept was strong, it struggled to capture user interest. I’d often sit at my desk late at night, reflecting on what went wrong. “Where did we falter? What could we have done differently?” I asked myself over and over again. Two products, two failures—it was a sobering experience.

A Silver Lining

But even amidst these setbacks, there was a silver lining. One element stood firm throughout the ups and downs: the Favoriot IoT Platform. I began to realize its potential. “This could be a tool for anyone wanting to build their own IoT solutions,” I told my team. With renewed determination, we made a bold decision—to pivot. We offered the Favoriot IoT Platform for free, hoping this move would attract a broader audience.

The Challenges of Adoption

However, even that wasn’t the end of our challenges. Offering the platform at no cost didn’t automatically translate into widespread adoption. I often asked, “Why aren’t people using it?” Despite creating tutorials and sharing resources, the uptake remained slow. It was frustrating and disheartening.

Bridging the Gap

But giving up wasn’t an option. I knew we had to dig deeper to address the gap. “We need to guide them more effectively,” I told my team. That’s when the idea of offering IoT courses took shape. These courses weren’t just about teaching theory; they were designed to provide hands-on experience with the Favoriot IoT Platform.

A Breakthrough in Education

And it worked. Today, over 16 universities and polytechnics in Malaysia use the Favoriot IoT Platform for their students’ final-year projects. I still remember the pride I felt when we hit that milestone. “This is a significant achievement for us,” I said to my team, filled with gratitude. Seeing students learning about IoT and applying it to real-world projects has been incredibly fulfilling.

Inspiring the Next Generation

I’m blown away by the students’ creativity whenever I visit these universities. I’ll ask them, “How are you integrating Favoriot into your project?” Their passion and excitement remind me why we started this journey in the first place. These moments make all the struggles worth it.

Expanding Beyond Malaysia

Looking ahead, our vision is to take the Favoriot IoT Platform beyond Malaysia. “The global stage is where we’re heading next,” I shared with my team. We’re already in talks with international institutions, and I’m hopeful that students worldwide will soon have access to our platform.

Innovating for the Future

Of course, the path forward won’t be without its challenges. I often ask myself, “How can we continue to innovate and improve?” In the fast-paced world of technology, standing still is not an option. Every evening, as I reflect on the day’s work, I remind myself, “We’ve come this far because of the lessons we learned from failure.”

Turning Failure into Success

Those early failures with Raqib and Favorsense weren’t the end of our story—they were the beginning of something greater. The Favoriot IoT Platform has become the cornerstone of IoT education in Malaysia, and it’s all thanks to the unwavering dedication of my team. I always make it a point to say, “Thank you,” because this success is as much theirs as it is mine.

The Journey Ahead

This journey is far from over. “This is just the beginning,” I tell my team. We’ll keep pushing boundaries, overcoming challenges, and reaching new heights together. Our story proves that failure isn’t the end—it’s an opportunity to rise stronger.

The Favoriot IoT Platform stands as a testament to perseverance and the belief that with hard work, even the most challenging setbacks can lead to incredible success.

More Stories

My Startup Journey

The High Price of Entrepreneurship: Understanding the Sacrifices of Founders

Becoming a startup entrepreneur is often romanticized as a journey of passion and innovation.

However, this path is paved with significant sacrifices, especially for those who embark on this venture later in life, after establishing a career.

I, too, made this leap after over 30 years in the workforce, reaching a high management position with its accompanying perks.

The transition from a secure, well-compensated job to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship is a story shared by many founders and is worth exploring.

The Financial Rollercoaster

The most immediate and impactful sacrifice is financial. Resigning from a lucrative position meant saying goodbye to a steady, substantial salary.

In the early stages of my startup, there were periods where I couldn’t draw a salary at all.

This financial instability is a common plight for many entrepreneurs, challenging not just their business acumen but also their personal resilience.

Lifestyle Changes

With the shift in financial stability comes a change in lifestyle.

The perks I once enjoyed, like traveling in business class or staying at upscale hotels for work, became luxuries of the past.

Entrepreneurship often means cutting down on personal expenses to redirect funds towards the business.

This shift can be particularly jarring for those accustomed to a certain standard of living.

Sacrificing Personal Luxuries

Another aspect of the entrepreneurial sacrifice is the reduction in personal indulgences.

For me, this meant fewer overseas vacations, infrequent updates to personal gadgets like computers or smartphones, and a general curtailment of non-essential spending.

Every penny needed to be accounted for and justified in the context of business needs.

The Emotional Toll

Beyond the tangible sacrifices, there’s an emotional component.

The constant uncertainty, the pressure of decision-making, and the isolation that can come with entrepreneurship take a toll.

There were times I questioned if the sacrifices were worth it, a sentiment shared by many in this field.

Reflection and Resilience

Despite these challenges, many entrepreneurs, myself included, persist in their ventures.

The journey, with its highs and lows, teaches invaluable lessons about business, life, and personal strength. It’s a testament to resilience and commitment to one’s vision.

Moving Forward

The question of whether the sacrifices are worth it remains subjective and deeply personal.

Each entrepreneur must weigh their own journey’s value against what they’ve had to give up.

It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of loss or to question the path chosen.

However, it’s also important to recognize the growth and achievements that come with this challenging journey.

Shared Experiences

While my story is unique, it echoes the experiences of many startup founders.

The entrepreneurial path demands much, often more from those who have already established a career and lifestyle.

Yet, it’s these very sacrifices that shape the journey, imbuing it with meaning and depth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision to become a startup entrepreneur, especially later in life, is not one to be taken lightly.

It involves significant sacrifices in financial stability, lifestyle, personal indulgences, and emotional well-being.

However, for many, the reward lies in the pursuit of a dream, the lessons learned, and the personal growth experienced. It’s a path of self-discovery, resilience, and sometimes, triumphant success.

Whether or not it’s worth it is a question only the individual entrepreneur can answer, but one thing is certain: it’s a journey that profoundly shapes those who undertake it.

Lessons I Learned Navigating the Unpredictable Path of my Career

I’d like to share with you the remarkable twists and turns of my career journey.

It’s a story of unexpected shifts, surprising opportunities, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Discovering an Unexpected Role as a CEO and Entrepreneur

I always dreamed of becoming a scientist, fascinated by the idea of creating robots.

However, life had other plans for me.

I never thought I would one day be a CEO or embark on the challenging path of entrepreneurship.

This transition in my life taught me how our goals and aspirations can transform over time.

My Academic Foundation

My professional life began in the world of academia.

As an educator, I started as an Assistant Lecturer and worked my way up to Associate Professor.

I cherished my role as a teacher, driven by a natural instinct to educate and inspire.

Venturing into the Corporate Realm

Faced with the possibility of transferring to UTM Skudai, I made a bold decision to join Celcom, a private sector company.

During my 13 years there, I experienced a rich variety of roles – from Research and Development to Integrated Business Solutions.

This period was instrumental in broadening my professional horizon.

Pursuing R&D Excellence at Mimos

When I joined Mimos, I was fueled by a desire to uplift national R&D standards.

Working in a government agency, I had lofty ambitions and faced a mix of experiences.

Although I spent eight years as a Head Researcher, I sometimes felt that my earlier experiences were not fully utilized, which was a source of some disappointment.

The Evolution from Dreaming of CTO to Becoming a CEO

For over three decades, my career goal was singular – to become a Chief Technology Officer.

Yet, fate had a different plan for me.

At REDtone, I was tasked with establishing a new IoT-focused subsidiary, which unexpectedly led me to my first role as a CEO.

Here, I learned the intricacies of dealing with government business, a challenging but enriching experience.

Stepping into the World of Entrepreneurship

After about two and a half years with REDtone, the entrepreneurial bug bit me.

I took the leap into starting my own business with some colleagues.

The journey at FAVORIOT and the stories there are for another day, but they mark a significant chapter in my life.

Lessons I’ve Learned on My Journey

  1. Embracing the Journey: Life’s path, though sometimes divergent from our dreams, is always a gift.
  2. Striving for Excellence: Every challenge is an opportunity to grow and excel.
  3. Education Beyond the Classroom: Real-world career experiences teach lessons no book can.
  4. Breaking Stereotypes: Transitioning from academia to the corporate world is possible.
  5. The Intersection of Tech and Business: A technical background can be a strong foundation for successful entrepreneurship.
  6. The Possibility of Becoming a CEO: The right opportunities can lead anyone to a CEO position.
  7. Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Every challenging moment has the potential to become a positive experience.
  8. Academics in the Corporate World: A background in academia can be valuable in private sector roles.
  9. Challenging Retirement Norms: There’s no predetermined time to retire or slow down.
  10. Making an Impact: We all have the ability to create significant changes in our industries or even globally.
  11. Valuing Diverse Experiences: Every unique career experience adds invaluable perspective.
  12. Lifelong Learning and Contribution: The journey of learning and giving back is endless.

This journey of mine underscores the unpredictable, yet fulfilling nature of a career path, where continuous learning, adaptation, and the reshaping of goals are part of the adventure.

From Spiritual GPS to Emotional Outlet: How Blogging Became My Second Sanctuary

Life’s a whirlwind, right? We’re all hustling between family commitments, work obligations, and for me, religious practices. Praying five times a day is my constant, my spiritual anchor. But there’s another habit that has surprisingly become just as meaningful: blogging. So let me pull back the curtain and share how this daily ritual has become more than just keystrokes and screens.

A Sanctuary for the Soul and Mind

Okay, so we all have stuff that messes with our heads, right? Worries about work, family stuff, life’s curveballs. For me, my daily prayers offer a spiritual cleanse, but blogging? It’s like my mental spa day. I jot down thoughts, make sense of my day, and get to put my emotions on the screen. And when I hit publish and someone messages me to say, “Hey, that really resonated with me,” it’s like a high-five for the soul.

It’s Not Just About Code and Business Hacks

The word ‘blog’ might conjure up images of long tech manuals or ’10 Ways to Boost Your Sales.’ Sure, I dive into tech topics — gotta put my geek cap on sometimes! But I also get real and talk about my journey in setting up a business. It’s not just about celebrating the highs; I’m equally honest about the facepalms and screw-ups. These posts become my entrepreneurial diary, and it’s kind of amazing to flip back through the ‘pages’ and see my own evolution.

Sharing is Soul-Warming

Remember when we were kids and we were taught that sharing is caring? Well, that lesson is alive and well in the blogging world. Each time I share, whether it’s a valuable life lesson from a business blunder or a moment of joy, I feel like I’m sitting down for coffee with friends — a virtual community that’s as real to me as my next-door neighbors.

A Blog: More Than Just a Diary, It’s My Stage

Think of my blog as a Swiss Army knife: It’s a diary, a confessional, and also a stage where I get to spotlight the issues and topics that I’m passionate about. I can talk about the importance of faith in my life, share a crazy new business idea, or discuss how to balance spirituality and ambition. It gives me the freedom to be me and to broadcast that to the world.

Emotional Fitness Check-In

Blogging has become more than a daily to-do; it’s like my emotional gym session. The same way you’d work out your muscles, each blog post helps me work through emotions, find clarity, and leave with a sense of mental refreshment. It’s like an exercise routine for my emotional well-being.

What’s the Big Deal?

If you’re bogged down by the daily grind and looking for something to enrich your life, consider the small but mighty power of daily habits. Blogging became an unexpected yet crucial part of my everyday life. It’s not only made my days better but has also brightened someone else’s screen (and maybe even their day). So whether you’re looking to connect with your spiritual side, share your entrepreneurial escapades, or just yearn for a space to be heard, give blogging a shot. Take it from me: It’s way more than just words on a screen.

Don’t Ignore Strangers: The Untold Secret of Our Startup’s Early Customer Base

In the embryonic stages of a startup, every founder’s vision is filled with the friends and family they imagine using their products. The mindset is that those who already know and trust us will likely be our first customers. But what if I told you that’s not always the case? For us, our earliest and most loyal customers were not people we knew. They were not the ones showering us with praises or feedback. Strangely enough, they were complete strangers.

From Strangers to Stakeholders

When we launched our Internet of Things (IoT) offerings, our instincts told us that our first customers would come from our immediate circles. But the opposite happened. The majority were people we had never met, who learned about us from someone else or stumbled upon our social media posts. Without a single request for a product demo or a questionnaire, these individuals took a chance on us. They were willing to pay for our solutions, no questions asked.

The Value of the Unknown Customer

The phenomenon of strangers becoming early adopters is not just surprising; it’s enlightening. These are individuals who don’t have any preconceived notions about us or our capabilities. Yet, they believe in the solution we offer enough to invest in it. These early adopters give us something invaluable: proof of concept. With them on board, we have tangible evidence that our solutions have market value, a powerful tool to attract more customers.

Trust, But Verify

While we are grateful to have these strangers believe in us without solicitation, it’s also a double-edged sword. The absence of initial feedback means we have to be extra cautious, constantly iterating and improving to ensure we meet the expectations that these customers have implicitly set by trusting us.

Why Strangers Matter

The power of these unknown first customers lies in their organic discovery of your product. There is no bias, no friendship obligations, just a straightforward transaction based on perceived value. The chances are high that if a stranger finds value in your solution, so will others.

Conclusion: Don’t Ignore the Unknown

While it’s natural to expect friends and family to be your first customers, don’t overlook the potential in strangers. These are the people who can give you an unbiased evaluation of your market value. They can be your best advocates, and they bring in an added layer of credibility when pitching to future prospects. We owe a lot to the strangers who became our early customers; they gave us proof, validation, and most importantly, the momentum to move forward. So, don’t ignore strangers; they might just become your most trusted customers.

From Multiplicity to Singularity: Favoriot’s Pivot Towards Precision

In the dawn of our startup journey, with excitement and fervor, we ventured into creating four distinct products. Like many startups, we believed that diversification would be our best strategy. We couldn’t have been more mistaken.

The Struggles of Juggling Multiple Products

Dilution of resources was our first hurdle. When you spread yourself thin, neither product gets the undivided attention it deserves. Our team, no matter how agile and enthusiastic, was struggling to meet the demands of maintaining and enhancing four different products.

Marketing became our next mammoth challenge. Crafting a clear and compelling message for each product was no small feat. We grappled with understanding the right customer persona and, in our endeavor to cater to everyone, ended up confusing many. Potential customers were left wondering: “What does Favoriot actually specialize in?”

Pricing was another quagmire. Four products meant four pricing strategies, each with its unique challenges and competitive pressures. A lot of energy was expended in approaching different customers, managing varied social media channels, and crafting content tailored for each product. Exhaustion set in, and with it, a realization: we were on a hamster wheel, running hard but not making the desired progress.

The Turnaround: Honing our Focus

Faced with lackluster traction and an exhausted team, we reached a pivotal crossroads. The decision was between diversifying into vertical markets or zeroing in on our core technology. Our previous attempt to cover four vertical markets hadn’t worked, so we took the brave leap towards precision.

We decided to pour all our energy into the Favoriot Platform, our IoT platform. This was the game-changer. By focusing our efforts and resources into one direction, not only did we ensure that our product was of top-notch quality, but we also simplified our marketing message.

The Rise of Favoriot Platform

As we honed in on the Favoriot Platform, the market began to sit up and take notice. Customers now had clarity on what Favoriot was all about, and our expertise in the IoT space started shining through. Our efforts were no longer spread thin, and our product, being the sole focus, received the attention and refinement it deserved.

Today, as we stand recognized as a formidable enabler for IoT in Malaysia and the region, we realize the importance of focus in a startup’s journey. By channeling our efforts towards the Favoriot Platform, we not only found our niche but also set ourselves on the path to becoming market leaders.

In the world of startups, sometimes, less truly is more. And our journey from multiplicity to singularity is a testament to that.

Navigating R&D in Government Agencies: Lessons for the Startup World

Before diving into the fast-paced, adaptable world of startups, I spent a significant chunk of my career in a large government R&D agency. While it was a period of immense learning, it also came with its share of challenges and lessons that I’ve since carried into my entrepreneurial journey. Here’s a glimpse of my experience and how it shaped my current perspectives.

1. The Bureaucratic Maze of R&D

Government R&D is a different beast altogether. Every process felt akin to working in a factory, bound by red tape and stringent processes. The emphasis on documentation, while ensuring accountability, often stifled creativity. Each step, no matter how minute, required proper sign-offs, often slowing down the pace of innovation.

2. Frequent Monitoring, But Little Understanding

While progress reports and technical presentations were a regular part of the job, they often felt more like interrogation sessions than collaborative discussions. The barrage of questions, many of which indicated a lack of understanding of the core research, made it clear that there was a disconnect between the R&D team and the management.

3. Short-Term Vision in a Long-Term Domain

R&D, by its nature, is a long-term commitment. However, the management’s impatience for short-term results meant that we often pivoted from true research to more developmental, immediate tasks. This shift in focus had its own set of repercussions.

4. The Patents vs. Products Paradox

While our team managed to churn out numerous patents, they rarely saw the light of day in final products. Other groups, which were engrossed in product development for commercialization, often overlooked the innovations our team brought to the table.

5. The Siloed Approach

One of the most stifling restrictions was our inability to interact directly with customers. This created a void in understanding real-world needs and led to internal assumptions that rarely mirrored external realities. Products developed in such isolation, devoid of genuine customer feedback, often missed the mark when finally released.

6. The Costly Aftermath

When a product fails to resonate with its intended audience, changes are inevitable. But, given the rigidity of our processes, any modifications came at a high financial and temporal cost. Several products, despite the effort invested, never quite made their mark in the market.

From Past Lessons to Future Innovations

All these experiences, while challenging, became the foundation upon which I built my startup approach. I now understand the invaluable role of flexibility in R&D. Embracing concepts like the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and the Lean Method has allowed me to stay agile, make quick pivots when needed, and most importantly, maintain a laser-sharp focus on the customer.

In conclusion, while my time in the government R&D agency was filled with hurdles, it also offered indispensable lessons. Today, as I navigate the startup ecosystem, those lessons act as my North Star, guiding me towards more efficient, customer-centric innovations.

My Startup Journey: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Odyssey

In the heart of every entrepreneur lies a tale worth telling. A journey marked by hope and hurdles, by breakthroughs and breakdowns. This book is the chronicle of my odyssey in the challenging world of startups—a narrative of dreams dreamed, battles fought, lessons learned, and horizons expanded.

Entrepreneurship is often portrayed in shimmering hues—a kaleidoscope of innovation, wealth, and independence. Yet, as many who’ve embarked on this journey know, it is as much about the storms as it is about the rainbows. It is about the late nights questioning every choice, the tireless revisions of a business model, the relentless pursuit of the right team, and the ceaseless hunger for that breakthrough moment.

Presented to you in a tapestry of short stories, this book pulls back the curtain on the myriad stages of building a startup, from the electrifying eureka moments of ideation, through the intricate dance of product development, to the exhilarating (and often humbling) experience of commercialization.

My aim is not just to recount, but to illuminate. For every aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned business veteran, or anyone intrigued by the thrills and spills of the startup universe, I hope this narrative provides insights, sparks curiosity, and perhaps, kindles the flame of your own entrepreneurial spirit.

Let us embark on this journey together, and dive deep into the whirlwind of entrepreneurship—a journey that’s as much about the destination as it is about the myriad experiences along the way. Welcome to my world.

Here’s the collection of the short stories – My Startup Journey

Leveraging the Strengths of Giants: A Survival Blueprint for Startups

In the world of business, there’s a saying: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” But what if the narrative changed to, “Let’s grow together?” In the vast sea of corporate giants and well-established brands, many startups often feel like small fish trying to survive against the tides. However, what if startups could ride the wave by leveraging the strengths of these larger entities?

The Case for Collaboration

For emerging startups, particularly in countries like Malaysia, collaboration with Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) could be the golden ticket. These GLCs, with their vast resources, industry experience, and established brand presence, are in a unique position to serve as pillars of support for startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Here’s how this symbiotic relationship could flourish:

1. Shared Participation in Projects and Tenders:

When bidding for projects, GLCs can include startups within their ecosystem. This not only gives the startup a foot in the door but also provides the GLC with fresh and innovative solutions that they might not have in-house.

2. Risk Sharing and Trust Building:

By taking a chance on startups with local products and solutions, GLCs are creating a sense of trust and validation. It’s a risk, yes, but one that could lead to groundbreaking innovations and local solutions that rival international competitors.

3. Building a Local Brand Powerhouse:

Once startups prove their mettle by delivering quality solutions, they earn a badge of credibility. With this credibility, they can expand their horizons, bid for larger projects, and even venture internationally.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

The beauty of this alliance is that it’s not a one-way street. Startups offer agility, niche solutions, and out-of-the-box thinking that can greatly benefit GLCs. Their nimbleness allows them to pivot quickly, adapt to changing market scenarios, and deliver tailored solutions. Meanwhile, GLCs offer the startups the backing they need in terms of resources, industry insights, and most importantly, credibility.

As aptly put, startups need not fear being trampled by giants. Instead, they should aim to stand on their shoulders, gain a broader perspective, and reach for the stars.

Favoriot: A Testament to Growth and Collaboration

Take, for instance, Favoriot. With over six years in the industry, Favoriot isn’t a fledgling startup anymore. It’s a brand ready to soar. Their strengths, coupled with the kind of support GLCs can provide, can be a potent combination. By partnering with bigger entities, startups like Favoriot can further solidify their position in the market, create more job opportunities, and contribute robustly to the future of business and technology in the region.

In Conclusion

The future of startups lies in collaboration. By leveraging the strengths of larger entities, startups can scale faster, innovate better, and contribute more significantly to their ecosystems. In this journey of growth and collaboration, both startups and giants can co-create a brighter, more inclusive future for the business world.

Building My Personal Brand: The Stepping Stone to Favoriot’s Success

Every brand has a story, but my journey is slightly unconventional. My personal brand’s inception wasn’t with the intent to sell or pitch, but to share and enlighten. This chronicle started way back in 2014, long before Favoriot was even a twinkle in my eye.

Laying the Foundation: The IoT Advocate

In 2014, the Internet of Things (IoT) was a term only the tech-savvy were familiar with. Driven by a deep-seated passion for technology and its potential, I ventured into the world of social media to voice my insights. Platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn became my playground where I shared my musings on IoT and its implications for smart cities.

This dedication did not go unnoticed. Invitations started pouring in, asking me to lend my voice to discussions, seminars, and workshops centered around IoT and smart city solutions. I was relishing my role as an IoT thought leader.

Transitioning to Favoriot: The Underdog Story

Then came Favoriot – a startup, our brainchild. In its nascent stages, while my personal brand thrived, Favoriot was still finding its footing. However, I had an ace up my sleeve – the trust and recognition I had garnered over the years.

With each speaking engagement and social media post, I started weaving in Favoriot’s mission and vision. I introduced my audience to the solutions and innovations Favoriot was bringing to the IoT landscape.

The Ripple Effect: Personal Brand to Business Boom

The beauty of personal branding is the ripple effect it can create. The trust, recognition, and respect I had cultivated with my personal brand began reflecting onto Favoriot. Slowly but surely, as my narrative shifted, the perception of Favoriot started changing. From an underdog startup, it began its transformation into an IoT powerhouse in Malaysia.

Today, when someone in Malaysia hears “IoT”, Favoriot isn’t far behind in the conversation. That business card with “Favoriot” emblazoned on it? It’s not just a company name; it’s a testament to the symbiotic relationship between personal and business branding.

In Retrospect: Branding is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Building a brand, be it personal or business, isn’t an overnight endeavor. It’s a marathon of persistence, adaptability, and genuine passion. I look back at my journey with immense gratitude. The initial years of dedication to my personal brand laid a robust foundation for Favoriot’s success.

For every budding entrepreneur, remember: Your personal brand can be the strongest advocate for your business. Nurture it, leverage it, and watch the magic unfold.