The Leaderonomics Show - Bryan Loo, CEO of Chatime Malaysia

Summary

In this episode of The Leader Nomics Show, Brian Liu, CEO of Chatime Malaysia, shares his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. From starting his business at a young age, overcoming challenges in managing a young workforce, and transitioning from biotech to F&B, Brian discusses how he built Chatime into a leading brand in Malaysia. He offers insights into the importance of passion, overcoming failures, and embracing technology to scale business operations. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs emphasizes sustainability, self-awareness, and the impact businesses can have on society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early exposure to entrepreneurship can shape your mindset. Bryan Liu’s entrepreneurial journey started at the age of 7, learning from his parents' business.
• 😀 Failing to align your education with your passion can lead to a career shift. Liu initially studied biotechnology but found his calling in the F&B industry.
• 😀 Embrace rejection as a learning experience. Liu faced rejection when trying to bring Chatime to Malaysia but turned this challenge into an opportunity.
• 😀 Building a sustainable organizational culture is key to long-term success. Chatime’s focus on employee ownership and alignment with the brand culture helped minimize turnover.
• 😀 The youth demographic can be a strength, not a challenge. Chatime capitalized on a younger workforce, cultivating leadership and responsibility among young employees.
• 😀 Entrepreneurial success is not about timing but about finding your 'true calling.' Liu believes that being driven by purpose leads to sustainable business growth.
• 😀 Technology is essential for scaling business operations. Embracing technology in the F&B industry has allowed Chatime to grow rapidly and efficiently.
• 😀 In competitive markets, focusing on what sets your brand apart is critical. Chatime’s global mindset helped them navigate a crowded market and stand out in Malaysia.
• 😀 Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Liu emphasized hiring a team of talented individuals who can take the business to new heights.
• 😀 A true entrepreneur builds a business with a sustainable mindset, positively impacting society and contributing to community welfare. Liu views entrepreneurship as a force for good.

Q & A

What inspired Brian Liu to pursue entrepreneurship at such a young age?

Brian Liu's entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 7 when he was exposed to his parents' business in a small town in Malaysia. Growing up around his parents’ air conditioning business, he was subconsciously influenced by the way they interacted with customers, sold products, and ran their operations, which sparked his interest in business.

How did Brian Liu’s early experiences shape his approach to running Chatime Malaysia?

Brian's early exposure to business practices through his parents influenced his approach to running Chatime Malaysia. He learned the importance of customer interaction, service quality, and operational efficiency from a young age, which he later applied to building Chatime into a successful brand.

What challenges did Brian Liu face when building Chatime Malaysia from an unknown brand?

The main challenge was standing out in a crowded market. In the beginning, Malaysia saw the entry of many bubble tea brands, which made it difficult to establish a unique identity. Brian and his team worked on positioning Chatime with a strong, consistent brand and a commitment to quality and customer experience.

How did Brian Liu manage a large workforce of young employees?

Brian approaches managing a younger workforce by viewing challenges as part of the routine, not obstacles. He emphasizes building a strong organizational culture that aligns employees with the company’s values, focusing on long-term career growth rather than just salary. This has helped reduce turnover and foster loyalty within the team.

What role does technology play in the growth of Chatime Malaysia?

Technology has played a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency and scalability for Chatime. Brian mentions that technology helps streamline processes, enabling businesses to scale much faster than in the past, when manual operations were more time-consuming.

Why did Brian Liu decide to shift from biotech to the F&B industry?

Brian originally chose to study biotech in Australia because he excelled at memorization and wanted to avoid numbers and complex math. However, his passion for business ultimately led him to shift focus. He saw an opportunity in the F&B sector, particularly in bringing international brands like Chatime to Malaysia, which sparked his entrepreneurial journey.

What advice would Brian Liu give to aspiring entrepreneurs based on his experience?

Brian advises aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their true calling and focus on building a sustainable business model. He emphasizes that entrepreneurship should not be about chasing trends but about creating something meaningful that can contribute positively to society and the community.

What were some of the key struggles Brian Liu faced in his early business career?

One of Brian’s major early struggles was working in sales at StemLife, where he faced extremely high rejection rates. This experience taught him valuable lessons in perseverance, resilience, and the importance of refining social and sales skills, which helped him later in his entrepreneurial journey.

How did Brian Liu secure the Chatime brand for Malaysia?

After several failed attempts to bring other brands to Malaysia, Brian stumbled upon Chatime during a trip to Taiwan. He was impressed by the brand’s global vision and saw an opportunity in Southeast Asia. After a quick pitch, he secured a meeting with the CEO and established Chatime’s presence in Malaysia.

How does Brian Liu view the concept of 'doing the right things' versus 'doing things right'?

Brian believes that doing the right things is more important than just doing things right. He emphasizes that hiring the right people and positioning them in roles where they can succeed is crucial. When you have the right team, they will naturally do things more efficiently and effectively, which drives the business forward.