When we meet Aaron Lee, the man behind Dash Living, we cannot help but chuckle at his bewilderment over generational labels.

“Am I a Boomer? Gen X? Or maybe a Millennial?” he ponders, faux-pensively scratching his chin. After a little sleuthing, we conclude he’s an “older Millennial”, though grappling with the existence of Gen Alpha and Gen Beta sidetracks him momentarily. “Who comes up with this stuff anyway?” he cries. “I thought generations were just, you know, a thing!” And if the exuberant CEO is looking for a way to connect with the future generations, he has already built a bridge with Dash Living.

Lee founded the company in 2014 to tackle the challenges today’s mobile Millennials face when finding affordable accommodation. Nestled in two of the most expensive cities in the world, Hong Kong and Singapore, and now making waves in Tokyo and Sydney, with operations across 33 different locations to date, Dash Living serves up serviced-living solutions with a side of community spirit.

“Dash is all about simplifying life for young professionals,” says the avid boxing fan, with a grin that suggests he’s perpetually ring-ready for the entrepreneurial smackdown.

Boxing Clever

Spending his early years in Hong Kong, then relocating to the United States, Lee was surrounded by big dreams and even bigger role models.

“I used to watch Mike Tyson fights and Bruce Lee movies with my dad,” he reminisces. “Watching the smaller guy overcome adversity? That inspired me in a way I didn’t even realise back then.”

Although the ring never saw him as a contender, he did manage to fulfil a childhood ambition by participating in a white-collar boxing match for charity.

“I wasn’t the biggest guy in the ring, but I managed to nab a win,” he recounts with a triumphant beam, much like a boxer holding up a championship belt.

He was just 17 when he started his first company, and it’s been a punching match ever since.

“Building a business is like stepping into the boxing ring; you need strategy, grit and the ability to bounce back from tough blows” is how the University of Southern California alumnus outlines his entrepreneurial journey. Those formative experiences taught him to be resilient – the perfect temperament for navigating the often-tumultuous rental property market.

Solutions Evolution

After that early boxing match called entrepreneurship, Lee’s career kicked off with a venture called uBuyiBuy, which was acquired by Groupon.

“I learned everything I needed to know about sales in that role,” he says, a glint of pride in his eye. “It taught me how to pitch solutions, not just products.” It was this experience that informed the early success of Dash Living.

When it comes to finding opportunities, Lee’s strategy is as simple as building a Lego house: start with the right foundations.

“I don’t just see the dollar signs; I see the problems that need solving,” he shares.

With rising housing prices being a glaring concern for urban professionals, he sensed the perfect opportunity to create a living environment that would resonate with young people.

A Dash of Connectivity

Enter Dash Living, Lee’s brainchild to revolutionise short-term and serviced accommodation in Asia-Pacific’s key cities.

“We focus on what matters – community, convenience and connection,” he explains, tooting his company horn a little. “With our centralised operations, we provide tenants with consistent service no matter where they are.”

The magic lies within their mobile app, which isn’t about reserving an apartment in a particular area, but mainly a lifestyle app to access community events, chat with customer service, redeem perks and discounts, and access their digital key. Think of it as Tinder for rentals.

“We connect tenants who live across different locations, empowering them to engage in various activities together,” he explains.

While you may not find love, you might just find a yoga buddy from the other side of town, as their tenants can actually join a yoga session remotely. And truly, the vision for Dash Living stretches beyond just providing a rental roof over your head.

“We want to create a global accommodation community,” emphasises Lee, almost as if he’s rallying a team for the next big match. Whether layering on mentorship opportunities or facilitating networking events, the goal is to build a supportive environment that feels like home rather than just another accommodation unit.

Beyond A Box

But isn’t a home simply about having four walls? Far from it, admonishes Lee.

“A home should align with modern lifestyles, be functional, and facilitate community interactions,” he asserts.

The communal spaces that Dash Living provides aren’t just an afterthought – they are crucial to life in the city. He points out that the pandemic reshaped not only how tenants live but also what they require from their living spaces.

He notes: “Now more than ever, people look for homes that cater to flexibility and a sense of belonging.”

His goal for Dash Living mirrors the collective consciousness of his generation – providing value in property and making a difference. But with big ambitions come even bigger challenges, especially during the Covid years when Lee had to pivot as swiftly as a professional fighter dodging a punch.

“We lowered rental prices and extended leases to offer stability during uncertain times,” he explains. “Ultimately, it’s about ensuring that our tenants feel safe and supported, which I think is vital, especially in urban settings.”

Man of the House

As our interview winds down, Lee shares an anecdote that highlights his new role as a family man; he is a doting father to a spirited two-year-old.

“Being a dad is tougher than I thought, but I’ll be the best dad I can be!” he exclaims with a light laugh.

In his mind, the essence of time is more than just schedules; it’s about moments, memories, and yes, a little bit of luxury as evidenced by his watch collection, which he whimsically showcases throughout our shoot, and as we wrap up an afternoon of delightful banter.

“Time has always been of the essence,” he muses, eyes sparkling. “No matter what generation you belong to, the value of time remains constant. It’s gold.”

The irony drips musically from his words; for a man who challenges traditional housing models, he embraces time with the same dedication that he offers his tenants. On a side note, he currently serves as Board Chair of Time Auction, a charity encouraging professionals to volunteer at NGOs which need their particular skills and advocating mentorship to the youth.

“By then, I hope to have fulfilled my purpose of empowering our next generation through Dash Living and rental housing. As a father and a philanthropist, it would be meaningful to solve the other scalable and meaningful social issues for the next generation in line,” he adds.

Bolder Dash

Lee has a vision much broader than Dash Living. He wants to solve larger social issues, perhaps through various initiatives over the next decade.

“Living sustainably and creating accessible housing for professionals should be a norm, not a luxury,” he argues passionately.

As Lee and Dash Living pave the way for a new kind of living, perhaps we should all rethink how we define home. It’s not just about the walls enclosing us, but the connections we forge, the experiences we share, and the dreams we dare to realise. Wouldn’t it be grand to live where living really begins?

“For me, there is no personal and professional success,” he says. “There is only ‘life’ and ‘purpose’. The more relevant these solutions are to society, the more successful I feel in life.”

So, while generations may come and go, Dash Living remains a steadfast home base for those seeking a better, more dashing way to live.

Photographer: Jack Law|Videographer: Jack Fontanilla