How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
Growing up as the eldest of four children, I naturally took on the responsibility of looking after and guiding my three younger siblings. That experience shaped me into someone who is independent, decisive, and comfortable taking responsibility from a young age.
Over the past 10 years of building my business, entrepreneurship has refined my leadership style. It has taught me the importance of empathy, communication, and understanding different perspectives. While I have become more patient and open-minded, I still believe that a leader must be able to make difficult decisions when it matters most. I lead with both compassion and accountability, but I never allow emotions to cloud decisions that affect the future of the business.
What traits do you look for in your talent or how do you decide who is right for a job?
The first thing I notice is a person’s attitude and presence. A positive attitude, professionalism, and confidence always leave a strong first impression.
I also pay close attention to communication skills because good communication reflects strong learning ability. Someone who listens well, understands quickly, and communicates effectively is much easier to develop and collaborate with.
Finally, I evaluate whether their experience, technical skills, work ethic, and personality fit both the role and our company culture. I always look for people who can add value, not only through their capabilities but also through the positive energy they bring to the team.
How do you think the industry you are in will evolve in the future?
The food and beverage industry will become increasingly competitive, but I believe competition drives innovation and continuous improvement.
I remain very optimistic about our future. Happy Potato has already established a strong position in Malaysia’s snack market, and this is only the beginning. Beyond strengthening our core business, we are building our second and third growth engines by expanding into frozen food, FMCG products, and potentially launching new brands.
Our vision is not only to grow deeper within our existing business but also to build a diversified food group with multiple successful brands under one umbrella.
What advice can you offer those looking to start their career or own business?
Before you start a business, prepare yourself for the possibility of losing everything.
Entrepreneurship may cost you more than money. It demands your time, energy, emotions, and countless sacrifices that people rarely see. If you have already accepted the worst possible outcome and are still willing to pursue your dream, then you are ready to begin.
Starting a business is like a fisherman going out to sea. No one knows whether there will be fish, but everyone knows there may be storms.
Once you decide to sail, give it your very best. Success requires humility, failure requires learning, and throughout the journey, always maintain the mindset of a lifelong student.
We all know about the Industrial Revolution. Are we in for a technological revolution?
Absolutely. Every generation faces different challenges, but every era also creates new opportunities. Technology is transforming every industry, and businesses that embrace it will have a significant competitive advantage.
I believe entrepreneurs should leverage technology rather than fear it. Whether through artificial intelligence, automation, digital marketing, or data analytics, technology enables businesses to work smarter, scale faster, and achieve greater results with fewer resources.
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional life?
A mentor offers something that every entrepreneur needs: a different perspective.
Often, mentors can identify blind spots that we cannot see ourselves. During difficult times, their experience helps us make better decisions and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, mentors have provided guidance, encouragement, and practical advice that helped me navigate challenges more confidently. Their experiences have broadened my perspective and allowed me to think beyond immediate problems, ultimately helping me become a better leader.
What do you want to accomplish in the next five years?
Over the next five years, I want to transform our vision into reality by building a food group that is recognised both in Malaysia and internationally.
I hope to create a company that not only delivers business success for our partners but also provides meaningful career opportunities for our employees. I want our brands to inspire happiness, energy, and innovation in every customer, team member, and business partner.
Ultimately, I aspire to become one of the leading young entrepreneurs in Malaysia and build a homegrown food brand that continues to innovate, grow, and make Malaysians proud.
Best piece of advice you ever got on your career.
The best advice I have ever received is simple: Every challenge can be overcome.
Over the past 10 years of entrepreneurship, every stage of growth has brought new obstacles. However, I firmly believe that as long as you refuse to give up, there will always be more solutions than problems.
If you truly believe in your vision and continue moving forward, determination will eventually create opportunities.
Most admired business leader? Why?
Bryan Loo, founder of Tealive.
He has built one of Malaysia’s most successful homegrown beverage brands through resilience, perseverance, and continuous innovation.
Since the day I founded Happy Potato, Bryan has been someone I look up to. His willingness to keep pushing forward despite challenges has inspired me throughout my own entrepreneurial journey.
How do you stay abreast of issues affecting your industry?
Besides following industry news and social media, I actively network with people both inside and outside the food and beverage industry to exchange ideas and understand emerging trends.
Travelling is also one of my favourite ways to learn. Visiting more developed markets allows me to observe new consumer behaviours, innovative business models, and successful concepts that may inspire future opportunities for our business.
If you could have an hour with any thought leader in the world, who would it be and why?
Li Ka-shing.
His business philosophy, long-term vision, and ability to build sustainable businesses over more than eight decades is truly remarkable.
I have always admired the way he thinks about business, investment, and leadership. I believe spending an hour learning directly from him would provide invaluable insights that could influence the way I build my own company.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced, and what did you learn from it?
One of my biggest challenges today is managing a business with more than one hundred outlets.
When the company was much smaller, I believed I could personally solve every problem. As we grew, I realised that even Superman has limits.
This taught me one of the most important lessons in business: sustainable growth depends on systems, talented people, strong teams, and effective leadership—not on one individual.
Today, my biggest personal goal is to evolve from being an entrepreneur into becoming a true CEO who builds organisations, develops leaders, and empowers others to achieve a shared vision.
What was the most outlandish business proposal you have ever heard of?
In Asia, I think many bold business ideas are worth exploring because innovation drives progress.
One proposal that truly surprised me was Theranos in the US, which claimed that a single drop of blood could diagnose hundreds of medical conditions. It was presented as a revolutionary breakthrough but later became one of the world’s biggest corporate fraud cases.
It serves as an important reminder that innovation must always be built on integrity and truth.
What man-made innovation confounds you? Why?
Without a doubt, iPhone. It has completely transformed how people communicate, work, learn, shop, and live.
Today, it is difficult to imagine daily life without a smartphone. Few inventions have changed human behaviour and society as dramatically as the iPhone, making it one of the greatest innovations of our generation.
Malaysia’s greatest brand.
Tealive and Oriental Kopi.
Both brands have successfully represented Malaysian food and beverage culture while demonstrating that local brands can compete on the global stage.
Their success proves that Malaysian brands have the potential to become globally recognised.
A must-read for every business owner or manager is…
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.
This book fundamentally changed the way I think about money, assets, cash flow, and financial freedom. It helped shape my entrepreneurial mindset and remains one of the books I recommend to aspiring business owners.
How do you expect policies on climate change to impact businesses in the future?
Climate-related policies will increasingly shape the way businesses operate.
Consumers are becoming more conscious of sustainability, while governments are introducing regulations that encourage businesses to reduce waste and adopt more environmentally responsible practices.
I believe sustainability is no longer just a social responsibility, it is becoming a competitive advantage. Businesses that embrace ESG principles and innovate responsibly will be better positioned for long-term success.
What are the top three factors you would attribute to your success?
Believe. Persevere. Execute.
Believe in yourself even when others don’t.
Persevere through every challenge without giving up.
Most importantly, take action. Great ideas mean nothing without execution.
Tell us a joke.
People often say I’m a second-generation rich kid.
I always smile and tell them, “No… I’m just working hard so that one day my son can truly become one.”