His vision is the culmination of years of perseverance and tenacity. His inspiration is in helping others to achieve tangible monetary results and physical wellness. Within a very short time of 2 years, Tan Sri Dato Sri Lai Teck Peng and Puan Sri Datin Sri Ela Tan have founded and built one of the fastest growing brands in the market today. The visionary couple shares with Top 10 of Asia their cutting-edge success in the organization they have built up – Phyto Science Sdn Bhd, and their philosophies in life.
This gentleman, is humble and has an air of easy confidence and self-assuredness about him – secure and comfortable with where he is and what he’s building. And he’s building an empire. One that is sharing, caring, provides good health, well-being, financial independence and dignity to everyone within it. The great man whose behind this vision is Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Lai Teck Peng. That easy, calm demeanor that he possesses belies years of hard work and perseverance to get to where he is today.
Lai states very simply, “I’m from a poor family in Malacca. Like a lot of kids of that era, I used to help out at the shop after school. And I learnt that one has to put in the hard work if one wants to see tangible results.”
Lai has amassed over 20 years of experience in sales, network marketing in a variety of industries including Singer Sewing Machines and Malaysia National Insurance before he decided to strike out on his own. In 2012, he and his wife, Puan Sri Datin Sri Ela Tan founded Phyto Science and they have not looked back since.
Phyto Science Sdn Bhd is a company that offers products which enhance one’s health and general well-being. One of the key active ingredients, phytocelltec malus domestica, which is an extract derived from stem cells of a rare apple tree won the European innovation prize in 2008. It was the world’s first raw material based on plant stem cells and was discovered by a Swiss company called Mibelle Biochemistry. Phytoscience collaborates with Mibelle Biochemistry to market these in their product range. Both Lai and Tan proudly proclaim, “In 2013 and 2014, we are the largest user of stem cells in Asia, nudging out established beauty brands like Lancome and Avon.”
He says, “A business that is purely profit driven will not last long. But businesses with a long term view which look to transformational living and offer long lasting benefits to everyone will endure and become an empire.”
Speaking in turns, they say, “We started simply with a small office and always worked and expanded within our means. The focus is always our associates, products and on providing and listening to our customers’ needs.” Small office has become a building of its own as they moved into a brand new purpose built building in March 2015.
Currently, it has some 800,000 associates and Lai hopes to have a million by year end. In the meantime, it has expanded regionally to countries such as Indonesia, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei.
As part of its efforts to give back to the community, Phyto Science also established Phyto Angels which provides a platform for everyone to donate and to help the welfare of others in need.
For those brave enough to follow in their footsteps, Tan advises, “One must be armed with lots of tenacity. Never give up.” Lai emphasizes that wisdom is the most necessary attribute because it empowers the believer with a mindset that can overcome short term problems with long term solutions. One should not fuss about circumstances that one cannot change but should look towards workable, functionable solutions.
Issue 10/2016