Product Idea |

The Woke Salaryman

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Since 2019, The Woke Salaryman (TWS for short) has been providing entertaining and informative cartoons with the goal to help people "make better financial and life choices through education." Based out of Singapore, its main following resides in its country of origin but has continued to expand globally thanks to its creative and educational style.

The blog shares its popular cartoons throughout its main website (https://thewokesalaryman.com/) as well as various social media outlets (Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc). It also shares information via YouTube and podcasts.

Like the cartoons, this set's intention is to be simple and minimalistic.

The main focus of this tribute to the popular series is the mascot/sidekick: the Marshmallow. The Marshmallow started as a symbol for the blog as a representation of delayed gratification based on a experiment by psychologist Walter Mischel in the 1960s-70s. A child could enjoy a marshmallow immediately or if he/she waited 15 minutes could receive two marshmallows. TWS uses the Marshmallow as a lesson in preparation, that while things may at first seem bitter, in the end they can be sweet. To this end, each strip always ends with the Marshmallow reminding its readers, "Stay woke, Salaryman!"

Also featured are three minifigures meant to represent TWS creators - He Ruiming (writer) and Wei Choon Goh (illustrator) - along with a "Salaryman" holding a smaller Marshmallow as typically appears in the cartoons.

The minifigures and the Marshmallow are placed on a small stand to keep them together but they are removable from the stand so they can go anywhere you would like in your home or office!

Why did I build it?
I love cartoons; it helps maintain the kid in me.
I am passionate about financial literacy; there is an unfortunate gap in this area of education for too many people which if closed can help translate into greater equality and financial freedom.
The Woke Salaryman combines both these interests of mine in an attractive, minimalistic, and easy to understand style.
I think the LEGO version could help a greater audience be more open to learning about money and finance, which will help them in their lives.

I think this point from TWS website on their FAQ page summarizes it nicely:
What does it mean to be a Woke Salaryman? 
Being a Woke Salaryman isn’t about how much money you have, or what’s in your investment portfolio. It’s about you dedicating yourself to financially bettering yourself, so you don’t fall prey to the sometimes brutal capitalist society that we live in. At the same time, it’s also about using your wealth to help society in meaningful ways. It’s easy to be rich. It’s easy to be kind. It’s not easy to be both.
As Woke Salarymen, this is what we strive to achieve. 



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