Business

Saturday May 23, 2009

The business of becoming a millionaire

By TEE LIN SAY


HOW would you like to make RM1mil in three years through the good old fashioned way of gumption and grit?

It’s not often we come across such offers.

But that is exactly what The Millionaire Business School is offering to 20 deserving people who are willing to toil and sweat it out and create a sustainable business over the next the years.

The Millionaire Business School offers only one subject – how to make money.

Chen

The brainchild behind the idea is Group CEO and Founder the ATCEN International Group. Ernie Chen. He believes that education does not prepare people for the realities of life. Also, no matter how bleak the economy may seem, there are always opportunities.

“How many of us really utilise the subjects we learn from school in today’s world? Education in school does not prepare people for the things that stare them in the face – which is the daily bills we have to pay, the better lifestyle and better living we all want. Education merely teaches you to have a stable job and wait for your monthly salary,” he says.

“It is unfortunate that in today’s society, the system favours the wealthy. For a normal wage earner, you earn your salary, pay your taxes, then spend what is left. Whereas if you have your own business, you earn money, spend first, then only pay taxes out of what is left,” he says.

Chen says that a great idea doesn’t necessarily need to be a super invention. He advocates everybody to be a business owner at least once in some point of their lives.

“Many people have terrific ideas and they like to provide what I call syiok sendiri products. The market wants what it wants, it’s no use having an idea which only you like. It won’t work,” he says.

Chen says that being an entrepreneur is great. When one is a creative entrepreneur, the rewards are even greater. Many people, he says, are excited over starting their own businesses, but they do not know what the market wants.

“Being an entrepreneur isn’t only about making things happen. It’s about creating new opportunities, and being challenged continuously,” he says.

Hence, his school is one that is very realistic and promises zero to hero in three years.

“For those who are chosen, you’re going to have to totally dedicate your life in the venture for the next three years. I will take 100% accountability and be with these people throughout the period,” Chen says.

Chen will coach his students how to bring in revenue, cut costs or reduce expenses and also how to save money while making it at the same time.

Chen admits that he’s not the richest man around, but he is a millionaire nonetheless and he is willing to share his secrets. He successfully sold one of his subsidiaries, Leadership Asia Sdn Bhd, to a US company for RM1mil. He subsequently bought it back at an attractive price.

Extremely passionate for what he does, Chen’s talents are aplenty. He’s a serial entrepreneur, brand consultant, motivator, author, film director and entertainer.

He confesses to being a “horrible” student who kept failing in some subjects and was not interested in studying and because of that, was never the family favourite. Chen left for the United States for studies, and there, he thrived in mass communication and theatre. Interestingly, his scores were also remarkable; he became a straight A’s student and found himself on the Dean’s list the entire time at Western Kentucky University. He studied and worked in the United States for seven years.

Upon returning to Malaysia, he made his first million at the age of 33 in just eight months, purely through offering services via consulting and training services. Since then, he’s been on a roll.

Today he is the group CEO of the ATCEN International Group of Companies that consist of six subsidiaries specialising in consulting, marketing communication, brand development, team events, multimedia designs and a recruitment specialist company.

Chen says the company literally started from scratch. For the first four months, it wasn’t making any money, and they couldn’t even afford proper meals. Subsequently, as Chen gained the trust of clients, sales started pouring in for their workshops and training.

Chen has also appeared in numerous radio and television commercials locally and internationally. He has also worked in nearly every performing capacity; an announcer, reporter, talk show host, man-on-the-street, television presenter, actor, emcee, writer and producer.

“I am making money doing what I love, running and owning businesses that make me millions. I would very much like to create a community of entrepreneurs who are successful. When they are successful, I am successful,” says Chen.

On this note, Chen is eager to encourage women to join his school. He emboldens women to think big as new women entrepreneurs.

“Rather than starting a blog, fashion line or consulting company that will serve only 500 women, create a media company, make-up line or clothing store that will help 25 million women distribute their products, manage their stress, save money or increase their self-esteem.

“Investors will show you the money if you think like McDonald’s 10 billion burgers served, instead of a fledgling seamstress with five dresses sewn,” he says.

The Millionaire Business School will hold its second preview on June 3. Those interested can log on to
www.millionairebusinessschool.com.my.

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