The book ‘How Can We Live without Anxieties’, written by Peiyung (one of the most famous specialists of Buddhism), said, “You can live without anxiety and enjoy your work if you know what you really want, know what you can do, and go into what you love”. As the employment crisis and youth unemployment continue, most young people, including university students, are worried about their future and their employment. In spite of difficulties, there are students planning their future through their own businesses. I met 5 A.M., a start-up company established by CBNU students. -Ed.

1. Please introduce 5 A.M. to the readers.

  Yong-taek: 5 A.M. is a company that conveniently delivers healthy food every morning. We started this firm because we wanted to provide a fresh and healthy meal for people every morning. Ju Yong-taek (’08, Dept. of Physics) , the boss, marketer Park Jeong-min (’10, Dept. of Economics), designer Lee So-mi (’14, Dept. of Fashion Design Information), and five others are running 5 A.M. Considering the changing food trends and lifestyles, 5 A.M. has made efforts to find unknown, good restaurants to sign a contract with us. Also, 5 A.M. pays attention to sanitation and nutrition. Single-person households, like university students who live apart from their families, or workers who come from other cities usually use our service. We hope that foreign-exchange students at CBNU will also use our service.

2. Can you tell us about the difficulties or triumphs when you were starting your business?

  Yong-taek: Sometimes, I just can’t believe that 5 A.M., which was only a thought in my mind, has come true. Actually, I didn’t have any solid values about having breakfast. Also, I never dreamed of serving up breakfast to others, but I’m sincerely working hard and doing my best for 5 A.M. every day. I’m proud of myself when I think how hard I have worked.

3. Was there anyone who helped you when you started your business?

  Yong-taek: The Start-up Business Promoting Foundation helped us by providing   office space and office supplies. The Chungbuk Center for Creative Economic & Innovation provided lessons about start-ups and gave us an initial loan. Moreover, they sent us to an overseas training program about start-ups that was held in Russia. I can’t forget about the customers when I think of the people who helped us. Due to the nature of our business, we deliver our food in a warm bag in the early morning. Last winter, some of our customers gave small presents, like a hot pack or a letter, as an expression of their appreciation. We are encouraged by these expressions of gratitude.

4. Were there any special reasons that you chose a start-up rather than employment?

  Jeong-in: In my opinion, whether I chose employment or a start-up, the most important thing was to choose an environment where I could develop steadily. Before starting 5 A.M., I worked for a company for about a year and a half. At first, I could learn new things, but as time passed, I thought I wasn’t growing. That was the reason I started my own business. There are many different characteristics between working for a company and starting one’s own. Thus, it is important to choose the way which suits you.

  Yong-taek: I thought that a start-up could help me grow faster than working for a company. As a novice in the working world, it might be important to get a stable job. However, I think improving expertise in one’s field is also important. Additionally, I chose to start my own business because I would rather experience the excitement of a start-up than just focusing on one aspect of a business.

5. As a senior, is there any advice that you want to share with the juniors in school?

  Jeong-in: Rather than giving advice as a senior, I would tell my former self, if I could go back to my underclassmen days, “Don’t be too impatient.” At that time, around me, there were so many friends who already had a job, who were working as interns or who had entered public service. That made me impatient. Even though I didn’t know exactly what I liked or what I wanted to do, I thought that I had to make a decision so as not to fall behind. That environment put pressures on me and made me think that I was abnormal because I couldn’t get a job. I want to tell my former self at that time, “Don’t lock yourself up, and calm down. Even if you don’t get a job, through many kinds of experiences, you can find various paths.” I suggest that many students spend more time thinking about themselves.

  Yong-taek: I also want to share what I’ve felt was necessary for myself, rather than guiding younger students as a senior. Basically, it is most important to try one’s best. Even though everyone knows this, I think this is very important. If you find what you love and do your best with confidence, you can get meaningful results.

6. Lastly, can you give any advice to students who are members of start-up clubs or preparing a start-up?

  Yong-taek: You can get a lot of support, including computers, personnel expenses, and office space, when you prepare a start-up. At this point, one of the most pitiful things is some people start a business just to get the financial support. If you start a business to get support, you are just wasting your time. Do not waste your time. Please start your business when you really have a desire to do so. Lastly, when you establish your business, it is possible to fail. However, it is not an absolute failure as you will still have many more chances in the future, so please have conviction in your business and go for it.

By Kim Jae-wan l jw37@cbnu.ac.kr
By Kim Chae-yeon l kcy4313@cbnu.ac.kr