Reynolds Too has chalked up quite a life experience. In less than a decade, he survived a bad accident that required critical spinal surgery, he endured joblessness, yet stayed focussed enough to graduate with a Master of Counselling, and founded two companies.
Being unemployed for two years following the accident left him depressed, and the menial position he landed later gave him no satisfaction.
It was during his first semester at Open University Malaysia (OUM) that this behaviour therapist finally discovered his calling in life.
Too shares, “I was inspired by French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who said, ‘We are condemned to be free, and we have the freedom to choose our lives’.
“This sparked something in me and snapped me out of my depression. I told myself I needed to start something and make it big.”
With just RM70 in his pocket, Too decided to skip dinner and used the money to register his business with Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia instead. That was how his first company was born.
Drawing from his background as a psychology graduate and behaviour therapist, his company provides services to parents with autistic children. Four years on, this Subang Jaya native decided to make yet another move.
He recently started Growth Special Needs Therapy, a company that offers home-to-home Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy in the Klang Valley.
ABA therapy is the only effective and scientifically proven therapy for autistic children. In Malaysia, the service is expensive and can cost between RM6,000 and RM10,000 a month.
“Our budget-friendly ABA therapy caters to those from diverse economic background, from expatriates and the elite to those in the B40 bracket. We also conduct training for parents, as well as courses and talks for university students.”
Despite the ongoing pandemic, Too’s latest start-up is doing well, as the nature of its business is home visits.
He is optimistic about the potential of the business and is looking forward to a promising future but believes that technology will be essential.
“We may start with online courses, instructional YouTube videos, or some kind of software. We hope to go international as well.”
Though just 30, Too seems wise beyond his years and continues to dream of ways to make his life truly worthwhile. “Money isn’t everything. I want to create something that can help people, not burden them.
“I also believe we should create our own purpose. Humans are creatures of free will, so we should be free to choose who we want to be.
“In my mind, I’ve envisioned a future Reynolds Too: he is someone who can make a difference in the counselling/psychology industry and transform its outlook in Malaysia.”
He concludes, “My daily mantra is a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche: The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
“Ultimately, I want to be the best version of myself. I want to be someone people can depend on.”
Now with a career that gives him purpose, Too is certainly on his way to achieving his dream.
The flexibility element that OUM offers for its students does not only help Too in his journey for a better life but also many others. OUM continues to develop its strengths to appeal to students of all academic and economic backgrounds.
It facilitates flexibility in studies, acknowledges the accreditation of prior experiential learning, accepts credit transfer from previous education courses, and offers learning centres around the country while providing online courses to all across the world.
For more information, call 03-7801 1800/2000, WhatsApp 012-303 9935/019-357 9074 or email [email protected]