Dressed in a crisp suit, he appeared slightly nervous during the interview, yet his expression lit up as soon as the conversation turned to entrepreneurship. Speaking with ease and enthusiasm, he is Meng-Chia Nian. Fifteen years ago, he was a young man full of dreams, courageous enough to venture abroad alone. Today, he stands as the founder of a leading printing company in Vietnam. What has remained unchanged throughout the journey are his guiding principles: integrity, sincerity, and gratitude.

Learning That Money Is Earned the Hard Way—Pursuing a Dream in Vietnam

As a teenager, Meng-Chia once resented his parents for giving him little pocket money. It was not until he earned his first paycheck working at a breakfast shop that he understood how hard money is to come by. "I had to wake up around four in the morning and ride my bike to work, finishing at two in the afternoon. That was twenty years ago, and I earned just over NT$7,000 a month. I nearly cried," he recalled. That experience became a turning point. He set himself a clear goal and earned his first pot of gold as quickly as possible to live a better life.

Meng-Chia later joined a printing company run by relatives and was posted to Vietnam, where he met his future wife. He then transitioned into the chemical industry, starting from scratch. Through dedication, continuous learning, and sheer perseverance, he increased sales revenue by seven to eight times within just six months, earning a raise and recognition. In 2011, driven by both love and ambition, he took the leap into entrepreneurship in Binh Duong, Vietnam.

Starting with Second-Hand Machines and Treating Printing as a Service Industry

Meng-Chia jokes that had he chosen to start a business in Taiwan, he might have been dismissed as a "strawberry generation" entrepreneur and turned away by clients. In Vietnam, however, by persistently calling through directories of Taiwanese businesses, he always found one or two senior entrepreneurs willing to give a young compatriot a chance. Speaking the Taiwanese language helped create instant rapport and brought in valuable orders.

In the early days, he and his wife rented a modest 80-square-meter workshop. With just one second-hand printing machine, he spent his days visiting clients and his nights running the presses, working around the clock. In the first year, he secured 12 clients, which was enough to reinvest in new equipment. A year later, he tripled both the factory space and employee size. Today, Yong-Mei Printing Technology employs around 80 people, with an annual revenue exceeding USD 5 million.

Vietnam's printing industry is very competitive, compounded by aggressive price-cutting from Chinese-funded companies. Meng-Chia carved out his niche through integrity, efficiency, and a strong service mindset. "Most companies deliver in seven days. We promise five to seven days, and sometimes even three. I often say that while printing is manufacturing, we operate as a service-oriented manufacturer. That's what sets us apart."

Grateful for Mentors and for the Global Young Enterpreneur Stars Award Recognition 

In addition to his own hard work, Meng-Chia credits much of his success to the guidance of mentors along the way. Upon his arrival in Vietnam, Mr. Kuo-Wen Hou, General Manager of Four Pillars Enterprise Co., Ltd., which operates Taiwan's long-established Deer brand, guided him in how to approach clients, dress professionally, and navigate buisiness dining. Knowing Meng-Chia's frugal nature, Hou encouraged him to invest in property and a car, reminding him that maintaining quality of life, rest, and appropriate spending would allow him to better support both his family and business in the long run.

Another pivotal influence was Mr. Chia-Yuan Liu, Chairman of the Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce In Tan Thuan EPZ. "He was my first client, and also my role model," Meng-Chia said. With over 20 years of experience in Vietnam, Liu not only taught him Vietnamese but also introduced him to business associations, expanding his network within the Taiwanese business community. Encouraged by Liu, Meng-Chia applied for the 2025 Global Young Entrepreneur Stars Award, which he ultimately won.

Meng-Chia speaks enthusiastically about the mentorship he received through the Global Young Entrepreneur Stars Award program, covering brand development, data-driven management, and automation. Already committed to industrial upgrading, he found the guidance invaluable. His company has obtained multiple certifications, including ISO standards, FSC forest certification, and GMI color management certification. With new perspectives in hand, he now looks toward diversification and long-term growth.

Building from the Ground Up—A Shift in Mindset Creates Lasting Value

"Only by staying grounded can you go far," Meng-Chia reflected. Many entrepreneurs aim too high too fast, chasing large contracts while neglecting fundamentals. His advice to younger entrepreneurs is to take steady steps and build a solid foundation. He also once considered giving up. It was encouragement from his wife and brother-in-law that pushed him to keep calling clients and taking on small jobs others rejected. These are efforts that laid the groundwork for his success today. 

Beyond business growth, Meng-Chia's mindset has also matured. No longer focused solely on accumulating wealth, he sees himself as a responsible employer. "Some employees have been with me for over a decade. We are like a family. It's my responsibility to take care of them." As a leader, his goal is about creating value and helping those around him grow together and live better lives.

---