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Whenever I think of Zest-O, this leads me back to my
childhood. This has been my all-time favourite. I love the flavour and well I love
how handy it is. I am often at my happiest when my mother would include this in
my snack box before.
Well the story behind the man of Zest-O as a matter of fact is
really inspiring. Hence, whenever I drink one today, more than bringing me back
to my childhood, I keep on remembering Alfred Yao. He is a Filipino Chinese
businessman who founded Zest-O Corporation. Currently he has other businesses
under his belt namely Semexco Marketing, Inc., Harman Foods, Amchem Marketing,
Inc., American Brands Philippines, Inc., SMI Development Corporation,
Philippine Business Bank and Zest Airways.
Alfred is a self-made businessman who rose from poverty with
his hard work and determination. When his father died when he was 12, he
assumed the role of breadwinner in his family. His mother then was a sidewalk
vendor. With the aid of his relative, he was able to finish elementary and high
school. Yet, he was not able to finish college at Mapua Institute of
Technology. He was able to take up a few subjects while doing jobs at the side
at a warehouse of a packaging company.
With the help of a cousin, Alfred was able to get a job in a
printing press. In here, he was able to know how to print out cellophane
wrappers for candies and biscuits. Because of that, he ventured into the
printing press business. It somehow lasted for 20 years until Alfred saw the
potential of doy packs which was considered the latest European packaging
technology at that time. Hence, he ventured into the juice manufacturing
business incorporating doy pack packaging.
Right in his kitchen, he was able to create fruit juices and
in 1980 launched the Zest-O orange drink. With that, it became an instant hit
since mothers tend to include it in the lunch boxes of their kids. Just like
what my mother did before. Eventually, kids loved it since the doy pack keeps the
juice cold and fresh.
Currently Zest-O comes in 12 variants and even eats up 80%
of the market share for fruit juices. Even more, it has expanded to varied
countries in Asia, Australia, Europe and the USA. And now, Alfred is also
geared towards other businesses.
From that, we can simply imagine how tough his road to
success was. He was able to work on varied jobs just to help his family until
he landed with an idea and started pursuing it. And look where he is right now.
Definitely we can be able to learn a lot from the maker of Zest-O, Alfred Yao.
P.S. To those doing the 52 Week Money Challenge and 52 Week Money Challenge Version 2, it is Week 14 already! Did you deposit the next amount yet?
P.P.S Want to know more about investing, savings, stock market and more, check out my reference here. You can download free ebooks and resources too.