Sze W. Liu

Born and raised in Hong Kong, my family’s story of resilience shaped who I am today. Both of my grandfathers, known as “freedom swimmers,” risked everything and swam for hours in the dark waters to escape from mainland China to Hong Kong during the 1950s. At the time, widespread famine and economic instability drove many to seek better lives elsewhere. Their boldness and tenacity were woven into the fabric of my upbringing and taught me to be relentless in the face of challenges.

My parents divorced when I was four, so even though I didn’t get to spend much time with my paternal grandfather, I was always inspired by his entrepreneurial legacy. He owned a tailor-made men’s suit shop in Kennedy Town. Watching how he built a business from the ground up—through the stories passed down in my family—gave me an early appreciation for craftsmanship, independence, and the hustle behind it all.

As a teenager, I moved to Miami—part of a common practice among Hong Kong families who send their children overseas for education and broader opportunities. It was a transformative experience that taught me to embrace change and find my path in a new world. I graduated from American Heritage School, continued my education at Broward College, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in General Marketing and International Business from Florida Atlantic University.

As I neared the end of my time at FAU, I began searching for a job before graduation, I knew that if I wanted to stay in the U.S., I needed to secure employment. That determination led me to my first opportunity at Manpower. From there, my corporate journey began. Later, while working full-time at Ryder, I pursued my Executive MBA at the University of Miami to sharpen my leadership skills and expand my understanding of business strategy.

My journey from the crowded energy of Hong Kong to the vibrant multiculturalism of Miami has been fueled by hard work, resilience, and an unshakable belief that with enough grit and heart, anything is possible.

I got my start at Manpower, one of the largest Fortune 500 staffing firms in the U.S. There, I gained a front-row seat to the inner workings of talent acquisition—interviewing people daily and connecting them with the right opportunities. It helped sharpen my instincts and gave me a deep understanding of what motivates people—skills I still use every day. After a few years, I decided to move on because I wanted broader corporate experience and exposure to large-scale operations.

I later joined Ryder System, a Fortune 500 company with a 90+ year history. At their corporate headquarters in Miami, I worked across departments like HR, Strategy, Marketing, and worked with Finance, and Legal. It was like a crash course in corporate dynamics. I learned how to run cross-functional projects, navigate large organizational structures, and adapt to fast-moving environments, all of which laid the groundwork for building my own business. It was also through Ryder that I earned my Executive MBA from University of Miami and secured my U.S. residency, eventually becoming a proud American citizen, something I’ll never take for granted.

My transition into entrepreneurship was driven by a deep passion for technology, business, and design—three things I’ve always been drawn to. Starting my own agency gave me the perfect opportunity to bring them together in a way that’s both creative and impactful. I didn’t just want to build a business; I wanted to build one that truly understands other businesses and helps them grow with intention.

I met my now business partner, Bradley Cummins, back in 2015 through WordCamp Miami, where I was speaking about WooCommerce. We instantly connected over our shared passion for fashion, design, food, technology, and helping businesses grow. Two years later, in 2017, we officially joined forces and co-founded WMD.

At WMD, we offer more than just branding, websites, and digital marketing. We become an extension of our clients’ teams, diving deep into their challenges and building smart solutions that scale. From platform migrations to full-funnel marketing strategies, we’ve helped businesses across industries elevate their presence and accelerate growth.

As Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, I work alongside our team to make sure we’re not just delivering great work, but also driving real impact. Whether I’m leading a digital strategy, launching a campaign, or rolling up my sleeves with a client, I’m always thinking about how to move the needle.

Building WMD has been an incredible journey—full of growth, lessons, and a whole lot of heart. My immigration journey from Hong Kong to the U.S. has shaped the way I lead, build, and give back. I’m proud of what we’ve built and even more excited for what’s next.