HEAD OF THE DAY
🇲🇾 David Kong
⚰️ From Rubber Tapper to Funeral Pioneer: Born into poverty in Malaysia, David Kong (also known as Kong Hon Kong) worked to support his family from the age of eight.
After experiencing the chaotic burial of his father-in-law and witnessing the lack of dignity in cemeteries, he recognized an opportunity to reform the industry in 1985. Despite rejections from multiple banks, he secured the license for a private cemetery in 1990 and transformed 50 hectares of land into a serene garden park. Nirvana Asia quickly expanded to over 21 memorial parks and funeral homes across Asia. Following its Hong Kong IPO in 2014, CVC Capital Partners acquired Nirvana Asia for $1.1 billion in 2016, making Kong one of Malaysia's wealthiest entrepreneurs.
👉 Lesson learned: Don’t shy away from taboos—identify unmet needs and fight hard for your license or market approval. Only pioneering spirit gives you the edge to dominate a new segment.
The China Survival Guide for Western Businesses
Entity setup, WeChat strategy, hiring your first local team. 12+ years on the ground in Shanghai.
