Lee Jing Qi – The force behind Atlantis Agency & Gift Umore on success, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth

Photo credit: Atlantis Agency

1. From Aspiration to Impact

At just 19, you entered the marketing world with a vision beyond the ordinary. Looking back, what was the defining moment that pushed you to start Atlantis Agency, and how did that moment shape your leadership today?

My entrepreneurial journey was driven by a sense of restlessness—restlessness with the status quo, with routine, and with passively waiting for opportunities. I saw traditional marketing agencies using outdated methods to tackle the challenges of the digital era, and I realized that the market wasn’t lacking in executors—it was lacking strategists bold enough to disrupt the existing framework.

The defining moment came during a marketing proposal meeting when a client asked, “Why is our brand generating so much buzz, yet our conversion rate remains so low?” No one in the room had a real answer. That’s when it hit me: The problem wasn’t exposure; the problem was that the way brands connected with consumers was outdated.

That realization led me to create Atlantis Agency—not just to “do marketing,” but to redefine how brands engage with the world. Today, my leadership style is still rooted in that core belief: We are not followers of the market; we are its architects.

2. Redefining Digital Success

The digital landscape is fiercely competitive. What core principles or strategies have guided you in not just surviving but excelling as a disruptor in this space?

Digital success isn’t about doing things better than others—it’s about thinking faster than others.

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is assuming that digital marketing is just about ads, SEO, and social media management. But real success comes from anticipating shifts in consumer behavior and providing solutions before the demand is even clearly articulated.

I follow a “Three-Step Leadership Rule” to stay ahead:

A. Technology Leadership

We don’t wait for AI and automation to become mainstream—we invest before the market fully adopts them. For example, when AI-generated content was still emerging, we were already developing a consumer behavior prediction system to help brands forecast their customers’ next moves.

B. Content Leadership

Marketing is no longer about selling products; it’s about selling experiences and beliefs. Instead of generic advertising, we focus on creating micro-narratives that emotionally resonate with consumers, making them feel personally connected to the brand.

C. Decision-Making Leadership

If you act only when market trends become obvious, you’ve already lost. Our approach is based on “early testing + rapid iteration”, allowing our brands to move half a step ahead of competitors—and that half-step often determines the winner.

We don’t just compete in a changing market—we define new rules as the market evolves.

3. The Human Side of Leadership

Your companies thrive on talent and innovation. How do you personally cultivate a work culture that balances high performance with genuine human connection?

The essence of leadership isn’t about managing people—it’s about managing energy.

The challenge with a high-performance culture is that it often prioritizes results over people. My approach is different—I ensure that my team’s drive comes from a sense of achievement, not pressure.

I’ve built a “Dynamic Freedom Culture”, which includes:

i. Decentralized Decision-Making – We don’t operate under a traditional top-down management structure. Anyone with data-backed insights can drive change. This gives team members a true sense of ownership, rather than just a sense of execution.

ii. Energy Management – I don’t measure productivity by the number of hours worked but by the quality of output. We don’t glorify long working hours; instead, we focus on how to produce the best creative results in the most efficient way.

iii. Situational Leadership – I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all leadership style. Instead, I tailor my approach based on each team member’s personality, strengths, and working style, ensuring they grow in an environment where they can thrive.

High performance doesn’t come from pressure—it comes from helping each person find the environment where they can perform at their best.

4. The Art of Gifting and Branding

With Gift Umore, you’ve elevated gifting into a storytelling experience. What do you believe is the secret behind creating a brand that resonates deeply with people on an emotional level?

Gifting is not just an exchange of items—it’s a form of psychology.

I’ve found that the biggest challenge people face when choosing a gift is: “How do I give something that truly conveys my emotions?” That’s why Gift Umore was built on the belief that a gift is not just an object, but a vessel for memories. Our slogan is Everyone Deserves Love, Every Gift Is A Love Story。

Our strategy is based on three core pillars:

i. AI Emotional Matching System

Instead of filtering gifts solely by price or category, our AI allows customers to input emotional keywords (e.g., “nostalgia,” “encouragement,” “love”). It then suggests gifts that deeply resonate with those emotions, ensuring that every gift carries true meaning.

ii. Story-Driven Packaging

Every gift box comes with a contextual story that enhances emotional connection. Rather than just premium wrapping, we focus on creating an experience that evokes heartfelt emotions, making the gift more than just an item—it becomes a moment.

iii. “Future Memory” Concept

We introduced Time Capsule Gifting, where senders can pre-write letters or record messages that will be delivered on a future date. This ensures that the emotional impact of the gift continues to grow over time, rather than being a one-time experience.

Gift Umore isn’t just a business—it’s about transforming gifting into a deeply personal and emotional journey.

5. Breaking Barriers as a Woman in Business

The entrepreneurial world still presents unique challenges for women. What’s one barrier you’ve had to break through, and what advice would you give to young women looking to carve their own paths in male-dominated industries?

When I first started, many people assumed I should build a “small but beautiful” brand, but I never accepted that framework. I never wanted to be seen as a “female entrepreneur”—I wanted to be seen as an entrepreneur who happens to be a woman.

My advice to young women looking to carve their own paths:

i. Don’t wait for opportunities—create them. You don’t need permission from anyone to start something.

ii. Don’t conform to market expectations—define your own market. You are not here to fit into a system; you are here to change it.

iii. Your ambition -Your ambition doesn’t need to be softened, nor does it need an apology. State your goals boldly, and then go make them happen.

Photo credit: Atlantis Agency

6. Lessons from Success and Setbacks

Winning accolades like the Asia Pacific Top Excellence Enterprise and being named one of the 100 Most Influential Young Entrepreneurs is remarkable. But success often comes with its share of failures. Can you share a pivotal setback you faced and how it ultimately contributed to your success?

Failure is not the opposite of success; it is the foundation of success.

Early in my career, I launched a highly innovative marketing campaign, investing significant resources in cutting-edge visuals, top-tier media placements, and data-driven strategies. Yet, despite our meticulous planning, the market response was lukewarm. Consumers simply didn’t engage as we had anticipated.

That experience taught me a fundamental truth about business:

The market does not reward the “most creative campaign”; it rewards the campaign that best understands human behavior.

You can break the rules, but first, you must understand them completely.

This failure reshaped my business philosophy and led me to establish three fundamental survival principles for enterprises:

i. Don’t Chase Viral Moments—Build Sustainable Influence

Many brands are obsessed with creating “viral” campaigns, believing that a single successful launch equals long-term success. But I learned that one breakthrough moment doesn’t define a brand—what does is the ability to embed your brand’s values into the cultural fabric of the market.

After this realization, I shifted our approach to a community-driven growth model, ensuring that consumers aren’t just passive audiences but active participants in the brand’s story. Today, over 80% of Gift Umore’s traffic comes from organic user sharing, rather than paid advertisements.

ii. Speed Beats Perfection—The Market Won’t Wait for You

Many businesses fail not because their products are bad, but because by the time their “perfect” product is ready, the market has already changed.

In the past, we spent too much time refining the “perfect” strategy. Now, we operate with the “launch first, optimize continuously” mindset. We move fast, test quickly, and refine based on real-time data—because in the digital world, waiting for perfection often means missing the opportunity entirely.

3. Build an Ecosystem, Not Just a Transaction

Previously, businesses focused solely on selling products and advertising. But we are now in the experience economy—consumers no longer just buy products; they buy into the identity and emotions that a brand represents.

This led me to shift my mindset from “How do we sell more?” to “How do we create a brand that consumers want to be a part of for the long term?”

Today, Gift Umore is no longer just a gifting platform—it is an emotional experience brand. We have built a holistic ecosystem that includes AI-powered gift selection, personalized packaging, scheduled future gift deliveries, and even NFT-based memory keepsakes. This ensures that customers aren’t just making a one-time purchase; they are engaging with a brand that becomes part of their lives.

Failure is never the end—it is a signal for business evolution. True entrepreneurs don’t avoid failure; they turn failure into an unrepeatable competitive advantage.

7. Future-Proofing Business and Leadership

As digital trends evolve at lightning speed, what’s your vision for the future of Atlantis Agency and Gift Umore? More importantly, how can today’s entrepreneurs—especially men—adapt to stay relevant in this ever-changing digital landscape?

The future of competition isn’t about who does it better—it’s about who changes the rules of the game. Atlantis Agency and Gift Umore are not here to adapt; we are here to make the market revolve around us.

Atlantis Agency: Branding Is Not Marketing—It’s Cultural Influence

A brand’s ultimate strength isn’t visibility—it’s belief. The future isn’t about selling products; it’s about shaping lifestyles and identities.

•From Ads to Cultural Symbols – A brand only truly owns the market when consumers associate it with a set of values.

•From Traffic to Community Momentum – Customers are not just buyers; they are co-creators of the brand’s culture. Real value lies in making them active participants.

•From Industry Standards to Trendsetters – We don’t wait for trends to emerge—we create them and make the market follow.

Gift Umore: Gifting Is Not About Objects—It’s About Relationships

The future of the gifting industry isn’t about who has the most premium packaging—it’s about who creates the most meaningful memories.

•Gifts Are Relationships – Gifting isn’t a transaction; it’s a bridge between people. The value of a gift isn’t its price—it’s how deeply it conveys intent.

•Branding Is an Experience – Gifting should be an interactive ritual, not just a purchase. The best gifts don’t just sit in a box; they create unforgettable moments.

•Emotion Over Market Trends – The future of gifting isn’t about more choices; it’s about brands that truly understand human connection and make gifts a warmer, more meaningful form of communication.

The Future Entrepreneur: From Manager to Cultural Architect

The real competition isn’t for market share—it’s for cultural influence. The most successful businesses won’t be the ones selling the most products, but the ones shaping how people live.

•Brands Are Not Just Products—They Are Identity – Consumers don’t just buy goods; they buy what the brand represents.

•The New Competitive Edge Is Not Capital—It’s Community – The strongest brands will be those that people feel personally invested in and actively advocate for.

•Leadership Is Not Authority—It’s Value Creation – The future’s most powerful companies won’t control markets—they’ll build belief systems that consumers willingly follow.

My view is this, the market won’t wait. The real winners won’t be those who merely adapt to change—but those who define it.

8. Mastering the Attention Economy

In an era where consumers have shorter attention spans and countless choices, how do you continuously strive to capture, engage, and delight your customers—both in digital marketing and through Gift Umore’s personalized gifting experience?

In an era where attention is the most expensive currency, consumers no longer passively receive information—they actively choose the brands they engage with. The real competition isn’t about grabbing attention, but about earning a place in their lives.

At Atlantis Agency and Gift Umore, our strategy isn’t to interrupt consumers—it’s to make brands an integral part of their experience.

Most companies believe the solution to the attention economy is more exposure. But in an oversaturated world, consumers don’t ignore ads—they ignore what doesn’t matter to them.

•Brands must provide emotional value – People won’t remember your ads, but they will remember how you made them feel.

•Reduce marketing noise, increase experience – We don’t just create content; we create experiences that people genuinely want to share.

•A brand should be a conversation, not a sales pitch – People won’t share your marketing, but they will share the moments they experience with your brand.

At Atlantis Agency, we don’t aim for visibility—we aim to make brands part of consumers’ identities. As for Gift Umore, our brand isn’t just about selling gifts—it’s about curating emotional experiences, helps people express their feelings through the perfect choice, and make gifting a long-term emotional bridge between people.

The real competition isn’t in offering more products, but in making consumers feel, “This was made just for me."

The ultimate goal isn’t for us to get noticed—it’s to become impossible to ignore. When our brand’s presence becomes personally meaningful to consumers, attention is no longer something to chase—it’s something freely given as a sign of trust and loyalty.

Thank you Jing Qi for the lovely insights.

You are welcome.

Follow her on Instagram: yoursqianyu