Mr Bean prides itself on a strong corporate philosophy of placing customers’ interest as its top priority as it continues to emphasise on research to produce healthy and creative products with traditional nutritional values. With a visionary and dedicated management team, Mr Bean is poised to expand rapidly in the region.
The F&B industry itself is a very competitive industry, especially with the influx of foreign brands in recent years. Since 1995, the company has been partnering with one of the most reputable North American soya bean farms in developing the Mr Bean Premium (Grade 1, High in Protein), non-genetically modified and identity preserved (IP) soya beans.
“We stay true to our brand promise of delivering life’s simple pleasures through our premium quality food and beverage products. The versatility of soya beans and our R&D has enabled us to produce different product categories that cater to different age groups and customers. Our biggest consumer segment are young working female adults,” Kang shared. Today, for the 2nd consecutive year, Super Bean emerged as the Top Brands winner for F&B food kiosk under Singapore’s Influential Brand Award.
What of this leader’s education has made a difference to his success? “I have recently completed an Executive MBA course from National University of Singapore. I always believed that learning has no age or physical barriers. Through the sharing, learning and exchange with my peers and lecturers in the course, I have been given many new thoughts in my life as a person as well as the business.”
“Be prepared to work harder and sacrifice more than anyone. Do not give up easily, always remember why you wanted to set up the business in the first place. Be very persistent, yet flexible,” said Kang Puay Seng, Founder & Managing Director of Super Bean International Pte Ltd, when asked if he had any tips to share with budding entrepreneurs.
He does aim for a balance of family, relaxation and work: “I try to send my children to school in the morning when time permits and will kick start the day with a good breakfast. The majority of my time is spent in the Mr Bean Office for discussions with my team. When needed, I will also be at events and meetings in my personal capacity in other organisations,” says the man who also enjoys brisk walking, trekking and hiking and who recently completed Gobi Desert and Silk Road trekking trips.
Kang started this company in 1995 and owns and operates the Mr Bean Soya Milk Chain – the leading chain of soya bean food and beverage in Singapore today. With more than 50 outlets located islandwide, Mr Bean offers a variety of soya bean drinks and snacks. Young and old can enjoy refreshing ice-blended flavoured soya drinks, ice-creams, pastries and more.
In 2011, Mr Bean marked its presence outside Singapore with the first franchise store in Japan, Tokyo. Today, the Mr Bean brand is also present in The Philippines and China with more stores opening soon in the Asia Pacific region.
Asked who his role model is, he replies: “Steve Jobs. He played a pivotal role in transforming Apple from near bankruptcy to profitability in the 1990s. I admire him for his foresight, courage and innovative thinking which have revolutionised the world in the use of smart phones and many interesting Apple devices. Despite his health issues, he continued to serve the organisation and share his experience with the team.”
Undoubtedly inspired by Jobs, with over 500 employees of his own, Kang says that “I always believe that it’s a team effort that brings success to an organisation. I am very open with my team and I appreciate the open sharing and communication from everyone in the organisation. I always challenge their thoughts and push them to be innovative and creative in their planning and execution. Success, beyond the dollar is when every single employee in the organisation, from the frontline to the office, is happy. That would be my measurement of success.”
While he certainly has enjoyed the challenges of work, 10 years from now, Kang says that “My wish is to see the Mr Bean brand achieve greater results while I go into retirement. I hope to be able to travel and see the world and to complete more trekking trips around the world.”
