Mr. Edwin Chan has overcome lots of difficulties. He came out from poverty and turned himself into a successful businessman owning multiple businesses. As a child, he lived in church compound, relying clothing, school uniform and books from donations. He became an orphan when he was 15 year old. It was fortunate, he was adopted by an unrelated uncle. Unfortunately, the man passed away when Edwin just completed his A-level. He built his career as a sales man, selling different kind of products, from typewriter, telephone system, encyclopedia, and many others. His philosophy “Tough times will never last but tough people do”. He is the founder of Cambridge Institute which offers language learning programs. He is a man with big heart, he has helped many foreign students in Singapore to enable them finish their education here. I attended his talk titled “Thriving through adversity” about last month.  

Quotes from this Episode:

• “Since it’s recession, that was the best time for me to go into business.”
• “The injury is okay now, I should continue because the game is not over.”
• “Whatever I do, I always give my best.”
• “When everything is so smooth, it doesn’t mean that things will be smooth all the way, accident happens.”
• “You are born to this world as a champion. Once a champion is always a champion.”
• “Courage is your ability to take action regardless of the dire consequences.”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Think differently, see difficult time as opportunity. Edwin started his first business during Asian financial crisis in 1997.
• Pay it forward, always do kind to other people.
• Believe in yourself and having a champion mindset. Always have a good health (able body) and able mind. Always have high spirit.
• What are the criteria for a great business partner.
• Finding intrapreneur for your business.
• Cultivating can do mindset in your employees.
• Lesson from the spider:
  • Endurance
  • Determination
  • Winning attitude
  • Inspiration
  • Never give up
• 3F to be successful: Faith, Focus, and Follow through

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill
• The Singapore Story by Lee Kuan Yew
• Strategic Planning by Goerge A. Steiner

Follow Edwin:

• Email :    edwin@cambridge.com.sg
• Website :    http://www.cambridge.com.sg