Many entrepreneurs launch businesses because they spot a market opportunity. Dr. Varongsri “Ying” Poothakool started hers because of a life-changing teacher.
As a young child, Dr. Ying disliked mathematics. Everything changed when she met a teacher who used games, toys, and creativity to make maths fun. That experience inspired a lifelong mission: helping children develop confidence, enjoyment, and success in mathematics.
Today, Dr. Ying is the founder of Math-Talent, an education company operating across Thailand, Laos, and the Philippines, with ambitions to expand further throughout Southeast Asia. Along the way, she has developed a unique visual-learning methodology designed to transform how children experience maths.
In this episode, Dr. Ying shares the deeply personal story behind the business, including the extraordinary moment when her father mortgaged his only home to help her pursue her dream. She also discusses the realities of international expansion, adapting educational models across cultures, building franchise systems, and the lessons she has learned from scaling an education business across borders.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How one inspirational teacher transformed Dr. Ying’s relationship with mathematics
- Why making learning fun can unlock extraordinary results for students
- The powerful role her father played in launching Math-Talent
- Building a successful education business from a personal mission
- Expanding from Thailand into Laos and the Philippines
- The challenges of adapting educational programs for different markets
- Why choosing the right partner is critical for international growth
- Creating scalable systems, teacher training, and quality control
- Lessons from more than a decade of entrepreneurship
- Why understanding your customers is essential to successful expansion
