In Episode Two of the series 'Ask My Leader', we interview Mr. Tan, the founder of Food Empire. Throughout the episode, Mr. Tan shares his experiences and insights that have led him to his current position as the chairman of a leading company with international brands that are household names in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and parts of Central Asia, holding market shares as high as 75% in some countries.

He talks about the importance of building relationships, never losing hope, being proactive in spotting opportunities, and establishing trust. He also provides anecdotes from his entrepreneurial journey, from starting his career in an accounting firm to becoming the founder of a company listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Despite facing major global crisis like the Asian financial crisis, the Lehman Brothers crisis, the 2014 Russian conflict, and the recent 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Tan's resilience and belief in his brand helped him and his company overcome the obstacles.

00:00 Introduction to Ask My Leader Episode Two
01:18 Introducing the Guest: Mr. Tan from Food Empire
01:33 Mr. Tan's Early Career and Challenges
02:05 The Essence of Sales and Business
03:08 Mr. Tan's School Days and Early Ventures
07:52 The Importance of Optimism and Persistence
14:12 Mr. Tan's Approach to Work-Life Balance
14:28 Mr. Tan's Journey into the Computer Business
17:06 Expansion into Eastern Europe and Russia
19:52 Building a Network of Friends and Entrepreneurs
20:46 Venturing into the Commonwealth Independent States
21:52 The Start of a New Business
22:24 Transitioning from Trading to Branding
23:05 Expanding the Business Geographically
23:36 The Struggle for Work-Life Balance
24:23 Overcoming Financial Challenges
25:48 Switching Industries and Learning from Mistakes
27:32 Building Trust in Business
29:17 The Power of a Household Brand
33:14 Philanthropy and Giving Back to the Community
34:30 Overcoming Challenges During the Financial Crisis
36:32 Navigating Supply Chain Issues during COVID
38:23 Final Thoughts and Advice