CK Group's Founder and CEO, Ang Chin Koon (centre), and the CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), Low Swee Seh (left), engage in a dialogue to share insights on the path to a happy life, with host Chan Wai Hoe (right). (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
"KOPI-O, KOPI-O, have a cup of strong KOPI-O…"
After a series of melodious Singapore Chinese folk songs performed by artists from TCR Music Station, host Chan Wai Hoe turned to the audience and posed a question: "What is happiness?"
"We've seen many fairy tales where beautiful princesses and handsome princes live happily ever after. Is that the happiness we pursue?" Chan Wai Hoe continued, "Or is it striving for success, having a family, career, money, and health, and achieving a certain social status as we reach a certain age? Is that the happy life we desire?"
On 21 April 2024, about a hundred attendees gathered at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to listen to Ang Chin Koon, Founder and CEO of CK Group, and Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), share their paths to happiness, and how they overcame entrepreneurial challenges and embarked on philanthropic endeavours.
The sharing session was held in conjunction with a charity photo exhibition co-organised by Ang Chin Koon and his artist friend Lin Lu Zai, as well as the launch of Ang Chin Koon's autobiography titled "From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon”. It provided an opportunity for Ang Chin Koon to share the ups and downs of his life and his journey of doing good deeds as documented in the book.
Ang Chin Koon (left) generously shares with the audience the ups and downs in his life, as well as his journey towards philanthropy. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
The sharing session begins with a stirring musical performance from TCR Music Station. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
Overcoming Hardships to Achieve Success
"I'm not from a wealthy family. When I was young, my family was relatively poor. I started by selling goods on the streets, gradually paving my way to where I am today," Ang Chin Koon revealed candidly. He reminisced about his childhood when his family moved from Chaozhou, China to Singapore, living modestly and running street stalls together.
The 67-year-old entrepreneur shared that his family of eleven once lived in a one-bedroom apartment. Despite the hardships, they led simple and joyful lives. However, Ang encountered numerous setbacks on his journey of growth and entrepreneurship.
In his early years, the family made ends meet by selling goods on the streets and at night markets. Through diligence and hard work, Ang and his four brothers gradually expanded their street vending business into a retail store. Their jointly founded Pisces Department Store flourished, becoming a household name in Singapore during the 1980s and 1990s. However, due to differences in management philosophy, Ang was eventually ousted from the group, leaving him feeling despondent. In 1998, Pisces Group went bankrupt due to business failures, and Ang found himself impoverished as a result.
"Our business in Chinatown was thriving and glorious previously. But the moment bankruptcy was declared, I felt ashamed and couldn't lift my head. Every day, I walked around with my head down, feeling lost," Ang shared candidly.
The sharing session attracted around a hundred attendees. (Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
After keeping a low profile for three years, Ang Chin Koon rallied himself and established CK Departmental Store. With the assistance of business partners, he overcame financial difficulties, and the company experienced rapid growth. However, in 2016, he faced another significant setback in his career when the group's warehouse and outlets were struck by three major fires, resulting in substantial losses.
Having experienced the ups and downs in life, Ang Chin Koon, undeterred, shared his feelings about restarting his business after bankruptcy: "Forty years old is not an old age. There's still a chance to start anew. At forty, after bankruptcy, my department store reopened in Geylang Bahru. I shouted at the top of my lungs, just like I did when I started my roadside stall years ago. Tears streamed down my face because the road ahead was still long."
Ang Chin Koon (centre) posing for a photo with readers of his new book after the event. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Navigating Life's Challenges: Testing one’s Wisdom of Life
Like entrepreneur Ang Chin Koon, Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore), also hails from a humble background. His family once stayed with relatives in Holland Village, where all eight of them squeezed into a small room. As the eldest child, the young Low Swee Seh slept under the eaves of the house at night and worked two jobs during the day to help support the family.
"In the early morning, I would follow my father to the newspaper agency to collect newspapers, then distribute them floor by floor in the public housing estates. After school, I had to come home to help my mother raise pigs," recalled Low Swee Seh. Despite the presence of many independent bungalows in Holland Village at the time, which highlighted the stark wealth disparity, young Low Swee Seh harboured a vague desire to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor in society.
After completing his national service, Low Swee Seh immediately ventured into entrepreneurship with his military earnings. He humorously admitted that he had no knowledge of the construction industry when he started. He didn't even know where to begin searching for construction materials. However, through relentless hard work and hands-on experience, his construction contracting business gradually flourished, eventually expanding into a property development company.
Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO, Low Swee Seh, shares his journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success and giving back to society. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
"My life hasn't always been smooth sailing. You all should know what happened in 1997," Low Swee Seh asked the audience.
"The financial crisis," the audience responded in unison.
Low Swee Seh revealed that during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, his company faced issues with debt and cash flow, putting it at risk of bankruptcy and causing him great anxiety.
CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), Low Swee Seh interacting with audience after the sharing session. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
At the time, Low Swee Seh was attending a Carnegie training course, where he was introduced to the book "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" by Dale Carnegie. The book provided him with valuable insights, making him realise that often, the root of worry lies not in external circumstances but in one's own misjudgments of situations.
"We often worry about things that haven't happened yet, leading to sleepless nights and loss of appetite, which in turn can cause health problems like stomach problem," Low Swee Seh said. "Instead, we should be proactive in finding solutions to current difficulties. Many things haven't happened yet, so we shouldn't be too pessimistic."
An audience interacting with the two speakers. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Sharing Genuine Stories to Inspire Kindness
Ang Chin Koon's philanthropic journey began with Tzu Chi. In 2000, while doing business in Chinatown, he encountered a charity event organised by Tzu Chi at its former premises in Chinatown. Learning about its charitable nature, Ang Chin Koon generously sponsored products from his CK Departmental Store and actively participated in various charity events, becoming a long-time supporter of Tzu Chi.
Turning his emotions of touched into actions, Ang Chin Koon said, "I set aside some merchandise for charity sales and also donated some money. Through these connections, I gradually became involved with Tzu Chi."
Reflecting on his first visit to Hualien, Taiwan, to participate in an entrepreneur retreat camp, Ang Chin Koon was deeply moved. "Tzu Chi's humanitarian spirit attracted me like a magnet, and I learned many life lessons from it. This inspired my confidence to invite fellow entrepreneurs to join Tzu Chi."
His current life goal is to do good and help others. Ang Chin Koon shared that his book " From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon" aims to inspire others through his story, using compassion to make the world a better place.
Ang Chin Koon personally signs copies of his new book, "From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits". (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
He said, "After being dismissed by the Pisces Group, I was filled with resentment for a full three years. I couldn't forgive the other party, nor could I forgive myself. During my journey to rise again, I kept pondering and reflecting. Eventually, I decided to record my thoughts and feelings from that time. Through this book filled with positivity, I hope everyone can learn from my past experiences."
Ang Chin Koon emphasized, "Life is short, and there are many suffering people in need. Therefore, I believe in doing good and showing filial piety without delay."
In conclusion, Low Swee Seh appealed to the audience, "Giving is not the privilege of the rich but of those who are sincere."
He believes that everyone has love in their hearts, and each person's love and good deeds are like small drops of water. These drops of water will gradually gather into rivers and eventually turn into a sea of merits.
（Photo by Lim Swan Chow)
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