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Despite having just turned 30 earlier this year, Tan Nam Kun or as he knows to his fans, Chef Minamikon, still looks boyish and has the demeanour of the friendly, dependable young man next door. Although he has achieved massive fame with multiple seafood restaurants spread throughout Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, received three entrepreneurship business awards and is said to be the “Culinary Crab King”, he has not let glory get to his head.
Tan shares that life has always been challenging from young as he did not come from a rich family. He had to build his business empire from ground zero, learning the ropes and fine-tuning his skills and knowledge day by day.
Initially trained in multimedia design, operating a food business, what more, a gourmet crab and seafood restaurant was never in his mind 10 years ago. After graduating from college and starting his first job doing multimedia in a TV station, he felt cooped up and could not see the future.
Reflecting deeply, he realised that he loved food and decided to leave his training before and start afresh by helping out in a restaurant. He vowed that he would learn the ropes, learn as much as possible and do whatever it took to understand the restaurant business. His perseverance was demonstrated by being one of the earliest to reach work and often he was the last to leave, taking whatever spare time to understand and learn finer culinary skills but also discover how to manage operations and finances.
Tan is indeed an extraordinary, self-made entrepreneur who is deserving of all the recognition and accolades accorded to him. After winning the SME & Entrepreneurship Business Award early this year in the Enterprising Inspiration category, he has gone on to win the International Prestige Brand Award for Best Brand in Crab Restaurant and the China-ASEAN Top Business Award 2017. What is the secret of his success? Good food, good quality, good people. In fact, his Fei Fei Crab chain of restaurants are so popular that long queues are seen during weekends and they even have a no reservation policy.
Tan has never forgotten his roots. He speaks of his childhood days and his dreams of desiring to be his own boss and create financial freedom. Saving every bit of money left from his meagre income and trying to make ends meet, he made sure he understood enough about cooking, operations, management…the whole works.
He soon opened a small stall in a neighbouring food court, testing out his own recipes in crab dishes. Soon he won himself many loyal customers who encouraged him to start out on his own standalone restaurant.
Bootstrapping right from the beginning with only a capital of RM50,000, Tan’s life has never been the same since he opened his first Fei Fei Crab restaurant and today with 8 flourishing outlets, a host of signature dishes and creative new dish innovations, his hopes and dreams are more vibrant than ever hope.
“I hope to open 10 restaurants by end of 2017 and eventually, expand overseas as well”, enthuses Tan. He has even visited neighbouring countries as well as China to evaluate the business prospects and sees ample growth opportunities.
He says that to grow and to maintain customer support, “It is important to always maintain consistently high standards of taste, quality and the customer experience. This is my credo for growth”, enthuses Tan.
“I have never thought of challenges as stressful. Whenever there is a road block or barrier, I just charge forward. I learn from my mistakes and evaluate what to do next. All I know is to just do it. Success is just around the corner. I never give up no matter what circumstances I may be in”, he says.
I also try to network with other like-minded entrepreneurs so that I can learn more and develop my own knowledge and skills at the same time. My business circle has also been greatly enriched as a result.
Tan Nam Kun epitomises true entrepreneurial grit and spirit, an exemplary model to those who wish to start a new business. He is an inspiration to seasoned business owners that change and growth come to those who are hardworking and persistent.
Contact Information:
Name: Zyro Wong
Organization: Zyro Wong Consultancy
Website: http://zyrowong.com/
Phone Number: +6019-224 9663
Email: me@zyrowong.com
Address: B-1-3A, Kuchai Exchange, Jalan Kuchai Maju 13, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Release ID: 231660
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