| Immigrant entrepreneur: | Andy Cheng |
| Companies: | Medi Supply Guru The Pod Guru S Stream Works Global Highlight Freight |
| Place of birth: | Taiwan |
| Employees: | 15 |
| Annual revenue: | $4.5M |
Show notes
Andy’s immigrant entrepreneur journey really started after his father passed away. He was 26 years and he became the President in his father’s company over night in Shanghai. He didn’t necessarily love that role, but he managed through it. It was challenging for him but he didn’t ask for help, and learned everything the hard way. But when an opportunity came up to get out of the country and start a business in Mexico, he took that without hesitation.
Leaving his family behind, he booked a one way ticket to work with the Mexican mafia on his new business venture doing mining work. That is where he learned fast about negotiations, and entrepreneurship in real time. Since his life was on the line, he ran out of Mexico and never turned back.
He came to the US when he was 29 and that’s where new businesses were born. He was fearless and on fire to continue with his entrepreneurial drive. He now operates 4 different businesses and he’s thriving at $4.5M annual revenue.
In this episode he provides invaluable advice to all immigrant entrepreneurs and his journey is absolutely remarkable.
Quotes by Andy
I was clueless the first few years.
Six months later we became the largest isolation gown distributor in North America.
In 48 hours I had a business without even knowing it.
Fail fast, and learn quickly.
If you realize that you’re not going to make it, admit that it’s going to be a failure and move on.
Here, I started every one of my companies from 0.
I hired a business coach.
Mentoring and coaching helps, 100 percent!
First thing, admit that you’ve failed.
The American dream means to me: to do the impossible and make it possible. And to actually make a difference; not to yourself, to make a difference to the world.
You want to achieve something? Do it strategically.
If you are teaming up with partners, think about your partner as if somebody that you will be getting married to. Take this partnership very, very seriously.
Find a mentor.
