Outlook Business | WoW 2017: Monica Liu
When life dealt her a bad hand, Monica Liu didn't surrender to fate. Listen to the underdog victor's story at Outlook Business WoW 2017
Read the stories of all the 17 women achievers profiled this year https://www.outlookbusiness.com/speci...
You can also find the edition on the Outlook Group app or buy a digital copy from Magzter
Download Outlook Group: http://app.outlookindia.com/
Digital copy: http://subscription.outlookindia.com/...
Music: Vodovoz Music Productions
#MonicaLiu #WOW2017 #Business #OutlookBusiness #OutlookMagazine #OutlookGroup
Read the stories of all the 17 women achievers profiled this year https://www.outlookbusiness.com/speci...
You can also find the edition on the Outlook Group app or buy a digital copy from Magzter
Download Outlook Group: http://app.outlookindia.com/
Digital copy: http://subscription.outlookindia.com/...
Music: Vodovoz Music Productions
#MonicaLiu #WOW2017 #Business #OutlookBusiness #OutlookMagazine #OutlookGroup
Transcript
00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - Shining brighter than the jewels
00:06 that you just saw ladies and gentlemen,
00:08 is our next speaker,
00:10 who is a woman who is also known as the Dawn of Chinatown
00:15 from the city of joy.
00:18 Miss Monica Liu, a Chinese immigrant,
00:21 is an epitome of courage and determination.
00:25 The essential prerequisites
00:28 for becoming a successful entrepreneur.
00:30 Monica is a true inspiration
00:33 for those who want to go the extra mile
00:36 to make their mark in this world.
00:38 But her journey has been far from easy.
00:42 (soft music)
00:48 In 1991, Monica Liu started her first Chinese restaurant
00:55 in Kolkata's Chinatown.
00:58 But her path to success was not easy.
01:01 Her entire family was arrested.
01:11 After five years, Monica and her family were released
01:15 when she sent a letter to the Home Minister.
01:18 But by then, they had lost everything.
01:24 Their home, their friends.
01:27 - So my mom know how to make momos and all that.
01:30 So every evening, we all had my mom to make momo.
01:34 And from morning we start selling them.
01:36 - After a few years, Monica moved back to Kolkata.
01:43 Today, she owns five restaurants.
01:46 Kim Ling, Beijing, Tung Fong, Mandarin on Sarathpost Road
01:50 and Mandarin in Lake Avenue.
01:53 She was once a refugee,
01:55 but today is called the dawn of Kolkata's Chinatown.
01:59 - I love India, but I always said, "Kolkata, Zindaba."
02:03 (laughs)
02:05 I love Kolkata.
02:07 - Well, ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome
02:13 Miss Monica Liu, who will be taking us through
02:16 a fascinating journey this evening.
02:19 (upbeat music)
02:21 Thanks.
02:22 (upbeat music)
02:24 - Good evening, everybody.
02:30 I love you all.
02:32 (applause)
02:34 I don't know how to start.
02:42 Today I'm standing here because of Outlook Business Magazine
02:51 made me standing here, proudly standing here
02:55 to show what I have and what courage they have given,
02:59 all of you have given me, and today what I am.
03:02 Of course, for me, it's not easy.
03:05 From childhood, from childhood when I'm eight, nine years old,
03:12 taking to Rajasthan due to Indochina War,
03:15 and from Rajasthan when I came back.
03:18 That is worse part that we don't even have any food to eat.
03:23 And it's...
03:25 That time we really struggled a lot, and all...
03:29 We are trying to sell momo because my mom is one of the very...
03:34 He's... He know how to make momo.
03:37 So we start the momo in selling to the school
03:41 so that we can earn some living,
03:44 for living and for education.
03:47 But that also not easy.
03:50 It's very hard to struggle.
03:53 After a few years, I was married
03:55 because my parents cannot afford to take us for more education
04:00 and feed us anymore.
04:02 So I was married in the year 1971.
04:05 But after getting married, that life was very, very tough,
04:09 more tough than what I used to be in my parents' place
04:13 because I have to struggle and earn money and living for my family.
04:18 My husband is not doing well.
04:20 He's an honest man, but very good.
04:22 But I can't even say that today.
04:24 I also feel that every woman, every man,
04:29 success woman have a woman behind.
04:32 But today, even I'm success,
04:34 but I always also should think that I have a man behind me.
04:39 So...
04:41 (Applause)
04:43 Without my husband giving me courage and everything,
04:47 it's not possible for me also.
04:50 And after trying to start a restaurant in Chinatown,
04:58 what I feel that they will be a good business.
05:01 But then, in 1991, I have started Kim Ling,
05:05 which was very, very, very, very tough.
05:08 That toughness, we cannot even express what is happening.
05:14 Everyone will come and try to grab the free meal
05:19 and try to make lots of trouble to us,
05:25 but I overcome it one by one.
05:29 So gradually, we have started one by one.
05:33 From Kim Ling, I started another Mandarin,
05:36 then Beijing, then Toon Fong restaurant,
05:39 and then a Mandarin, five outlets now in Kolkata.
05:42 And I believe hard work will always succeed.
05:47 So what I want to send to everybody
05:51 that my parents used to tell me,
05:55 "You don't worry. You just have to work hard.
05:58 You will always succeed."
06:00 So this is what I am sending all the message
06:03 to all the young ladies and all.
06:05 Thank you very much.
06:08 (music)
06:12 (music)
06:15 (music)
06:18 (upbeat music)
06:20 (upbeat music)