Joey Lin founded Taipak Enterprises Ltd. 13 years ago when he graduated from SFU. It was a lot of cold calls and door-knocking, the 35-year-old recalls.
Now the company has more than 30 employees manufacturing and distributing multi-layer flexible packaging films and bags across the country. For that, Lin won Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
“It’s not just me that won the award. The honour goes to the whole team,” said Lin.
The company’s products are commonly used in food processing, coffee and tea, confectionery, seafood and meat, cosmetics, and pet food products.
From packaging design to launching the products, Taipak provides packaging solutions from “start to finish” with the goal of “making packaging simpler for customers.”
“In the first few years, it was very difficult. We needed to present ourselves and win customers,” Lin recalled.
“After that stage, we developed more into customer service, to grow better as a whole, including suppliers, customers and our team members.”
Starting in 2013, Taipak invested in various packaging equipment and was able to package products in liquid, granules, powder, and loose tea leaves in different packaging formats.
Now its facility is able to handle food and beverage products, nutraceutical products, health products, and many more.
Lin summarises three key traits that help make a good entrepreneur.
“Firstly, you need to dream big and have vision; then work towards that vision and never give up.
“Last, but not least, spending the money you have carefully. Cash is very important for a start-up.”
