Trantor Liu, Founder of CakeResume

Trantor Liu’s business CakeResume helps turn your CV into your own brand online…
What’s your story?
A year ago, I quit my full-stack web developer job at Codementor to start my own company CakeResume. I have been working with freelance designers and content writers for the past year.
CakeResume is a platform with more than 60 thousands users. Recently we started generating revenue and got an angel fund, which allowed me to start recruiting. At the moment, we are a team of five.
What excites you most about your industry?
With the rise of social networking platforms, more and more job openings are advertised on these platforms by many enterprises, including Facebook, Google and others. To my way of thinking, there will be no existing monopolistic job hunting sites but social networking platforms, corporate websites and small-scale job search sites. One electronic resume can be applied on any and several online platforms.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born and grew up in Taipei, Taiwan.

Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I haven’t worked in other cities, so I have nothing to compare. I think Taipei city is a great place as the cost of living is not too pricey and the creative industries are flourishing. Also, government resources and accelerator technical support can be applied. And, many locations in Taipei are easily accessible by public transport without traffic jams.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
‘Don’t take other’s advice too seriously. It only counts if you lead your own life.’
There are a lot of advisors and mentors when you start your own business. However, those who have succeeded are inclined to think everything is not that difficult and you can’t really relate to them. However, it is good to have a reference. Don’t take all the advice seriously, as we all have our own theories.
Who inspires you?
Herman Melville (Moby Dick), Shi Naian (Outlaws of the Marsh), Gabriel García Márquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude) and all the people who create eternal values.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Bob Dylan won The Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I think I would have chosen to learn the piano when I was a child. As for sports, swimming would have been my priority not playing badminton. Badminton is not a balanced sport and requires too many start-and-stop movements, which is bad for knee joints.
How do you unwind?
I usually watch TV series, listen to music, read literature, or stay with my grandparents and make tea at their house in the countryside.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Japan. Personally, I think it’s a poetic country. Clean, exquisite and lovely.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Rework by 37signals
It provides great concepts for starting a business, from administration, fundraising and recruitment to work culture. For example, Embrace constraints, Don’t be a workaholic, Meetings are toxic and Do it yourself first. There are only two to three pages in each chapter which make it easy to read and succinct.
Shameless plug for your business:
CakeResume is more than just a formatting tool! We turn boring resumes into vivid online personal brands. https://www.cakeresume.com

How can people connect with you?
trantor.liu@cakeresume.com
Twitter handle?
@CakeResume
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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