Moving from Canada to Hong Kong in 1991 with a freshly-minted bachelor’s degree in education, Paul Luciw started working as a gym teacher in the Canadian International School.

Long fascinated by business, Luciw started importing handknit sweaters from Nepal and selling them in Canada. The business grew and so did the school’s concern that he was doing too many outside activities, so Luciw accepted an offer to do business full time with some ice hockey buddies (Yes, people play Ice hockey in Hong Kong, there is even an ice hockey league!).

Working as a jack-of-all-trades in numerous private investments of his ice hockey friends, Luciw learned the ropes of business and saw some market opportunities. One notable opportunity: The cost of real estate advertising seemed excessively high.

When he was ready to focus on one project after trying so many, Luciw launched Asiaxpat in 2000 as the Internet headed for the first dotcom bust.