This episode of “I’m a Millionaire! So Now What?”. features Tuan Nguyen, an entrepreneur with a message to share that’s definitely going to inspire you as much as it did me. Tuan got my attention on LinkedIn – he posted about where we are today with social media and the story of how he sold his company HealthGenie. Tuan took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with me about immigrating to Canada at 20 days old and nearly dying en-route, raising seven kids, and how volunteering inspired him to consider different ways of giving back.
He’s founded 5 businesses (6 if you include the successful window-cleaning business he started as a student). Some of these businesses include Canada’s largest online national health directory and HealthGenie, a business serving dental groups. A serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tuan continues to build successful businesses because he wants to provide value.
In this episode, he talks about:
Personal development and self-care.
How his life journey and values sparked the formation of an online company that supports business dads, DudeBuddha.com.
Adopting the acquirer’s mindset (how he collaborates with partners who might acquire the company).
“I ask myself what’s the most meaningful thing I can do with my life, and in the big picture, who else would care about this venture (just in case I could work with that person)?. I will always say I chose you because: A, I want you to buy me out because I think we can do a lot of things together. Or B, I don't think I'll have the resources to go as big as I see it, and this could be exactly what this company needs. That's my mindset going into building the business, partnering with someone who is a potential buyer.”
Some of the initiatives he is currently involved in.
As a parent, Tuan saw the value of spending time with his kids. He wanted to help parents make every minute count – so he developed an app to do that. On the show, he shares some ideas of how he approaches the partnerships he wants to form for this venture from the perspective of a future acquire – both in the ed-tech space and outside it. Tuan also reveals his new (soon-to-be-launched) podcast, which will give away entrepreneurial ideas and the roadmap to execute them.
“As entrepreneurs, we have 100,000 ideas in our heads and 100,000 problems we see that we want to solve, and finding the ones that fire us the most, that we’re meant to solve, is a difficult challenge sometimes. So, I created a show where I interview successful entrepreneurs, and ask them to give away one idea that they don't have enough time to go after – and then provide a roadmap for it, so someone else can run with it.”
The importance of shared values and vision for partnerships.
Whether inside or outside the workplace, shared values and vision are crucial. According to Tuan, hiring people for what they value contributes to a better workplace culture (along with 32-hour workweeks and high minimum salaries). He also shares how his company has turned the work day status quo upside down by working in 28-day runs consisting of 21-day sprints and 7 days breaks – and why and how this works.
Fun, frank advice?
“Choose what’s meaningful is number one and number two is making sure you’re healthy to pursue that so you can enjoy the fruits of your labour.”
Have a listen for more incredible advice from Tuan!
If you have any questions for Tuan or ideas for value-driven partnerships, you can reach out to him on LinkedIn.
And if you’re at the helm of a thriving business or startup, looking to exit, or simply have something to share with the Self-made Nation, do get in touch. I’d love to hear your story.