If you girls have been dining on the newest luxury buffet in SM Aura, NIU by Vikings chances are you have stumbled upon this pretty young man roaming around checking up on every dining customer. He goes by the name of Charles Lee. It's just impossible not to notice him! He's transcending an aura of positivity and inviting you to taste the delectable cuisines his team at NIU by Vikings (the luxury buffet he owns) prepared for your visit.
Yes, he sure looks like someone who collects fancy cars and enjoys partyin' hard at night but once you get to know him, you'll be amazed how responsible, dedicated and committed he is on his job.
Learn a thing or two from this handsome man's story as I get to chit chat with him about life's struggles and how he ended up savoring his sweet success!
*Hi Charles! Before anything else, can you tell us a little something about yourself and how you started handling business at such young age?
-If you want the simple version of it… well, I was born in the Philippines and lived here for about 11 years, moved to Hong Kong and lived there for 5 years, moved to U.S.A. and lived there for 4.5 years, then finally moving back to Philippines again. So I was pretty much everywhere…
A more complicated version would be when I was young, probably until when I was about 6 or 7 years old, my family and I were struggling financially, it’s the “where-am-I-going-to-find-the-money-for-the-next-meal” kind of struggle. I remember my parents would work from dusk till dawn just to get by everyday, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. I remember when my Mom was pregnant, there was no such thing as maternity leave, cause she had to take care of the tiny store that we had back then. I remember when my Dad had to give up school just to provide for the family. I remember all these things cause I was there. But as time passed by, blessings started pouring in after my Dad’s business failed, he learned from his mistake and moved on forward, cause what’s the point of crying over spilled milk? Nothing, that’s why keep your head high and move on.
Now, how does this relate to me working and handling a business at such a young age? I saw my parents struggled (and they were only like… 22!), and I didn’t want our family to go back to what we were before. Some people might think I’m not fun, I’m a stick in the mud, and I’m just wasting my youth away, but I’m not! I promise, I can be just as fun, it’s just that I have a responsibility to my family and priorities straightened out. My parents sent me to schools in different countries to see the world in a different light; they want me to expose myself to the different people and cultures. They want me to understand that the world is not as what I think it is; they want me to meet the good and the bad, and to experience the ups and the downs. Basically, they want to prepare me for the big bad world.
*I can't believe that you went through such phase of "where to get our next meal"! Seeing what you've accomplished now? That's golden!!!
-My parents and grandma would always talk about it and they said there's always a chill on their spine when reminded by it. It was a very challenging phase for the family and as a kid, I could do nothing but be me lol.
*Of course with the good comes the bad, can you tell us struggles you've faced when you were just starting out with this business? And how did you gracefully overcome it to be the successful businessman that you are now?
-Oh um… I guess giving up happy hour and giving up my Friday nights, but I think it’s just cause I get tired easily now with the work load. Oh and of course, waking up early. I struggle to resurrect myself from the dead every morning; that’s the real struggle. Another would be… being very unfamiliar with the food industry, and had to learn everything from scratch. But it’s okay, cause I do love what I do (well more like I love food… but it sums up anyways)!
*Few years back, did you ever imagine yourself doing what you're doing now? Do you have like any bizarre dream that you've been wanting to pursue?
-Actually no! I’ve always wanted to be an archeologist. Ever since I was a kid, I would always read up on the history and civilization of Egypt and Rome. I was always fascinated by it, and DREAMED of digging up something grand myself, but we know that’s not going to happen.
*What's the best advice you've received about pursuing your dreams and how do you apply it on your daily life?
-When you think of doing something, do it!
-If you don’t take care of the small things, they’ll end up becoming big things! (my mom’s favorite sermon line)
-When you ask someone out for a dinner, don’t flake on him/her, you made the invitation in the first place! (my college professor back in LA would always tell us this)
-Don’t cry over your failure. Get up.
-If you made a mistake, own up to it! Don’t cover it up cause you will make even more mistake. (based on my personal experience)
-The best school you can ever go to: THE REAL WORLD (aka The University of Society as my Dad would always say)
How do I apply them? I just do it! :)
*Any message to kids out there wanting to pursue what you have accomplished?
-Oh sweet child. You can have all the fun in the world, but remember your responsibilities and priorities. And everything else I said above in question 4. Those will really help.
-You're welcome! Sure! Probably in the gym haha! When I'm all dirty and sweaty looking like a mess! Aww, well I'm glad to help spark something! *END*
What I've learned from that little convo I had with Charles is truly, there's no dream that you can't reach if you will only work hard for it! The struggles we've faced in the past can be our motivation and inspiration to create our beautiful future!
I will end this blog post with a quote from Barack Obama:
"The best way to not feel hopeless is to GET UP and DO SOMETHING. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope. You will fill yourself with hope."
