The Billionaire

Recently I watched a Thai movie titled "The Billionaire" or "Top Secret". The story follows the success and setbacks of Top Ittipat, the CEO and Founder of Tao Kae Noi.

The summary of the plot talks about what Top Ittipat is doing;
Age 16, TOP gained 400,000 Baht monthly from playing online games.
Age 17, He was willing to fail school and instead earned money from selling chestnuts for 2,000 baht.
Age 18, His family went bankrupt and remained 40 million Baht in debt.
Age 19, He released 'Tao Kae Noi' seaweed to more than 3,000 branches at 7-Eleven.

If you watched the movie, you'll realize that what sets TOP Ittipat apart from other people is his commitment to his goals and beliefs. Throughout the show he was slapped with challenges and setbacks.

• He was earning 400,000 Baht by selling Inventories in an online game but his account got deleted.
• To pay for his school fees, he went to purchase DVD players in bulk but later found out it is all faulty. He even got scolded foolish and chased away when he demanded a refund from the distributor.
• He saw a Chestnut making machine at a convention which he rented and proceeded to sell Chestnuts after going around asking and surveying on how people cook it. However, there were no customers when his stall opened.
• He then changed a location with better traffic. But he was faced with a tough decision when his cellphone rang during his examination. He chose to answer the phone as he is more committed to his business even if it means to forfeit.
• With the new location, profits are increasing and he expanded his business with more machines but the Chestnut machines dirties the mall roof and affect other vendors. His contract with the mall was then terminated.
• His family decides to reside in China due to bankruptcy and debt. Ittipat refuses to go.
• He came across a Seaweed snack his girlfriend bought which isn't available in Thailand and he proceeded to attempt making it with his uncle. After wasting 200,000 Baht worth of Seaweed, he decides to sell off his computers and Chestnut machine as he believe he shouldn't quit here.
• He broke off with his girlfriend and his uncle met with a slight accident.
• After he succeed in making the seaweed and selling it, He learned from his father that their family is in a 40,000,000 Baht in debt.
• He then approached 7-eleven to distribute his product. Despite waiting for half a day, his product was rejected without even given a chance to promote it. They claimed his design was ugly and the packaging is too big for their shelves.
• After redesigning his product, he was accepted by 7-eleven. However, he had to adhere to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines which his kitchen at home doesn't make the cut.
• He approached the bank for a loan but was rejected due to the debt owed by his family and his age don't qualify for a loan.
• Intending to quit, he made a passport deciding to move to China. Before leaving, he went to claim the amulet he has pawned for 200,000baht and he realized the true value of the amulet which belongs to his father was actually 3,000,000baht. He was chased away by the pawn shop owner.
• He decides to stay and continue his business. Using a old warehouse his family owns, he converted it into small manufacturing facility. With a few employees they made and packaged 70,000+ packs of seaweed although without knowing if he will pass the GMP.
• He passed the GMP and the rest is history!

Though in some interviews, the real "TOP" Ittipat reflected that the movie was slightly exaggerating. I believed that we all can learn something from this Documentary movie. Looking through the setbacks, it is obvious that his success is a matter of the choices he made and his commitment to his goals!

TOP Ittipat know what he wants. He believes, he took action and he succeed!

This is one of the interviews i can find if anyone is interested in his true story,
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