In our second episode of Humanizing Software, host Andrew Tull and guest Yuen Yung, CEO of Casoro Group, chat about utilizing technology in business and the human factor in software adoption.
Yuen Yung has always lived his life with a “pay it forward” attitude, believing in leaving the world better than he found it. This life outlook was deeply ingrained into Yuen, along with his entrepreneurial spirit and incredible work ethic working alongside his younger brother Peter at their parents’ various Chinese restaurants, before the age of 10. He’s carried that passion throughout his entire career, which really kick-started after graduating with a BBA from McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. He would later graduate MIT’s Entrepreneurship Master’s Program and has professional certifications as a Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC®) and Board Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).
From Finance to Sushi
Early on Yuen spent 13 years in the investment management and advisory industry as a Managing Partner of Kenty, Yung, Ozias & Associates, where he oversaw advisors and was responsible for the capital raise and management of more than $300 million in funds raised from high-net-worth individuals, families, corporations, and charitable organizations. He helped develop 27 commercial retail sites as an entrepreneur. Prior to joining Casoro Group, Yuen was the founder and CEO of the franchisor How Do You Roll? a fast-casual sushi restaurant. In 2013, he appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank and received the highest investment offer in the history of the show from investor Kevin O’Leary, and was later acquired in 2015 by a private restaurant group.
Now, the CEO of Casoro Group, Yuen is responsible for the overall management of operations including business development and investor relations. A true savant in his field, Yuen brings a wealth of experience across a broad range of disciplines, among them: finance, investment management, capital raising, wealth planning, venture capital, portfolio management, alternative investments, commodities, strategic planning, leadership, and training, sales, and organizational structuring.
He currently sits on the board of Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and serves as Chairman, and previously the Board President of Austin-based non-profit The Thinkery and he has served on the Board of Directors for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He also volunteers as a mentor for Ignite Accelerator, an Austin-based business incubator as well as Founders Firm and INCubatoredu. Yuen was named as a finalist for an Austin Under 40 award in 2013 and was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award from The University of Texas Professional Development Center in 2006. In 2020, Yuen was awarded by Globe Street as one of the Best Bosses in the commercial real estate industry. He has also published two books, The Blind Grind© and The Business Model Blueprint©.
As a successful entrepreneur and proven leader with a vast amount of financial knowledge, we can’t wait to see what new milestones Yuen realizes.
Watch Humanizing Software Ep 2. with Yuen Yung!
We further explore Yuen’s financial background, entrepreneurial family, experience pitching on Shark Tank, and how he is driving innovation by putting people first.