Winston Iskandar

At just 18 years old, Winston Iskandar is already carving a path as a standout young entrepreneur. As the founder of a website development and SEO marketing agency, Winston has achieved remarkable milestones, including earning five figures in revenue and working with close to 200 clients. His story is one of innovation, resilience, and a relentless desire to solve problems—all qualities that recently earned him the prestigious Formidable Fellowship.

The Fellowship honors individuals who are not just driven but are actively shaping industries, solving real-world problems, and making a positive impact. Winston’s journey from a DIY innovator to a business owner is nothing short of extraordinary, and his vision for the future holds immense promise.

The Beginning of an Entrepreneurial Journey

Winston’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t start with his agency—it began with something as simple as a household frustration. Living in a busy single-story house during the pandemic, Winston was constantly annoyed by family members leaving doors open during his Zoom school classes. That minor inconvenience sparked his first invention.

With no money to spend, Winston created a DIY pulley system using a shoelace and a lotion bottle to automatically close the door. While it solved one problem, it created another: during the summer, his family complained about the lack of airflow. So, Winston adapted. He repurposed an old RC car to create a remote-controlled door mechanism, allowing him to open and close the door from his desk.

But Winston didn’t stop there. He saw a business opportunity. Recognizing that privacy is a universal desire for teenagers, he packaged his RC car solution and sold it to friends. That small venture earned him $300 in profit and taught him an important lesson: the value of solving real-world problems.

“I realized how valuable it was to find problems in people's lives and how that could translate into real dollars,” Winston said.

From DIY to Digital: Building a Thriving Business

Winston’s knack for problem-solving evolved during the pandemic. With traditional jobs unavailable, he turned to the digital world. Teaching himself coding and web design, Winston discovered the power of websites as tools to reach people globally. He began creating Shopify stores for local businesses and found his niche in helping brick-and-mortar shops pivot online.

His first client was a boot store struggling to survive during the pandemic. Winston offered to build them an online store for free in exchange for a testimonial. That initial project led to referrals and a steady stream of clients.

“From that first testimonial, everything snowballed. One business owner told another, and it just kept growing,” he shared.

Now, Winston’s agency focuses on website development, SEO, and marketing strategies to help businesses generate online revenue. His work has already impacted close to 200 clients, and he’s on track to scale his agency to six figures in the coming year.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Like any entrepreneur, Winston’s journey has had its share of challenges. He recounted a particularly tough lesson early in his career when he misquoted the price for a large e-commerce project.

“I charged $850 for what ended up being three months of work because the client, who was a former designer, wanted everything to be pixel-perfect. I didn’t know about revision limits back then,” he explained.

While the project wasn’t financially efficient, Winston views the experience as a critical learning moment. It taught him the importance of valuing his time, setting clear boundaries, and understanding the scope of projects before quoting clients.

These lessons have shaped how Winston approaches business today. His focus on efficiency, client satisfaction, and continuous learning has been key to his growth.

A Vision for the Future

Winston’s entrepreneurial ambitions don’t stop with his agency. Inspired by figures like Patrick Collison (co-founder of Stripe) and Alexandr Wang (founder of Scale AI), he dreams of building a company that has a global impact.

“When I look at the Collison brothers, I see the power of creating a product that millions of people use to accelerate their businesses. That’s the kind of impact I want to have,” Winston said.

For Winston, money is not the end goal—it’s a means to freedom and influence. He envisions a future where he can use his wealth to help others, whether it’s providing financial security for his family or donating to causes like homelessness and global hunger.

“Money is a multiplier,” he explained. “It gives you the power to scale your impact. Instead of just volunteering at a local shelter, you can fund thousands of meals for people worldwide.”

Balancing It All

Juggling high school, a growing business, and extracurriculars like piano hasn’t been easy, but Winston credits his success to meticulous time management.

“People don’t realize how much time there is in a day. I’m always thinking about my priorities—what’s the most important thing I need to do next?” he said.

From finishing homework by 5:30 p.m. to reassessing his goals during a shower, Winston’s discipline and structured approach allow him to maximize productivity without sacrificing his commitments.

Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

Winston’s journey is a testament to the power of taking action. His advice to other young entrepreneurs? Just start.

“If there’s something you can’t stop thinking about—an idea, a problem you want to solve—just do it. Go all in. It doesn’t matter what people say, even your family. If you believe in yourself, you’ll make it.”

He also emphasizes the importance of financial literacy. Winston believes schools should teach students how to manage money, understand taxes, and build wealth.

“Too many people spend money as soon as they earn it. They don’t think about saving, investing, or the long-term impact of their financial decisions,” he said.

The Formidable Fellowship

Winston’s innovative spirit, business acumen, and commitment to making a difference are why he was awarded the Formidable Fellowship. The Fellowship celebrates individuals who embody resilience, creativity, and the drive to build a better future.

At just 18, Winston is already a shining example of what’s possible when you combine vision with hard work. His story is far from over, but it’s clear he’s on a trajectory to achieve extraordinary things.

To young Winston and all the other budding entrepreneurs out there: the world is watching, and the future is yours to shape. Congratulations, Winston, on being a Formidable Fellow—you’ve earned it.