Monday May 13, 2013
A colourful story of perseverance
By SHALINI RAVINDRAN
shaliniravindran@thestar.com.my
LIFE does not always go as planned and no one knows this better than Datuk Danny Ooi, as his life has been anything but predictable.
Although not a quintessential rags-to-riches tale, his story is nevertheless an inspiring one because it is a tale of how an individual can make something of themselves through passion and perseverance.
Ooi, 58, who is the Malaysia Book of Records managing director, has a long list of accomplishments and accolades despite his humble beginnings.
The intrepid entrepreneur has chronicled his trials and tribulations in a recently published illustrated autobiography titled Dare to Dream.
The book is written in such a way that is reminiscent of Lat’s famous comic strips.
“I wanted the autobiography to be an easy read. It is a type of book where you can read about a person’s life in just 20 minutes and still be able to get the message,” Ooi said.
“I come from a poor family. My father was a labourer in a mining company. He also took on odd jobs. Mum was a babysitter,” he said.
Ooi admitted to being a poor student, academically as well as financially.
“I got my first job as a waiter at a restaurant called Rendezvous Snack Bar in Jalan Pudu while waiting for my Form Three results.
“I didn’t get good results in the Form Five exams so I got a job to help support myself and my family,” he said.
Ooi worked as a draughtsman for four years but was always keen on business and saved up enough to open a stationery shop.
In 1983, he opened a music school and tasted success. Technics Music School did so well that by 1986, he had opened five branches.
“The 1987 recession was a blow to the business and I was forced to close the schools, one by one. I was devastated as I had used all my savings for this venture,” he said.
From here on, it was a series of new and innovative ventures that, unfortunately, did not bear fruit.
However, Ooi’s stint as a promotions manager at a discotheque called Stargazer led him down a different path.
“I worked for three years as Stargazer’s promotions manager at Semua House in Jalan Masjid India and was bitten by the pageant bug when I organised Miss Stargazer!”
From the little-known Miss Stargazer beauty pageant, Ooi went on to own two international pageants, Miss Tourism International and Tourism Queen of the Year International.
He is also franchise holder and franchise organiser for Miss Malaysia Tourism, Miss Malaysia Tourism Queen of the Year, Queen of Asia, Miss South-East Asia, Miss Malaysia Asia-Pacific, Miss Chinese World and Miss Tourism Metropolitan.
“Malaysia is the land of opportunity as success is guaranteed if you work hard. The most important thing though is to never give up no matter how many times you fail. Success is just around the corner if you persevere,” said Ooi.
Dare to Dream is available at all MPH bookstores and is priced at RM19.90.
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