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Before having an interview with Mr. Lai, every member studied hard to read a lot of related information about him. We took our own ideas and thought on the notes and then decided what we were going to do. Throught the arrangement of the sceretary of Mentor, we were eventually going to have a meeting with the CEO, which really made us very nervous. Though this was our first time to interview such an important person, we all prepared well to use some technological tools, such as digital recording device, digital camera, and notes, to compelte this interview. Because of his warm smile on his face, we eventually all overcame the fear of asking this heart-kinded elder. |
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Date of the Interview: Jan 18th 2012 (2p.m.) |
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Location of the Interview: Mentor Hair Stylist, Kaohsiung Flagship (173, Liu-He 1st Rd., District, Kaoshiung City, Taiwan)
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Character of the Interview: The CEO of Mentor Co., Mr. Hsiao-Yi Lai |
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| Q : |
What setbacks have you encountered in the process of your business venture? |
| A : |
I worked as a shoe maker and dishwasher when I was young, and finally I was determined to become a hairdresser, but my neighbors mocked at me, and did not change their views until I started making money.
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| Q : |
Who is most supportive of you? |
| A : |
My wife. Previously my parents lent me money to start the business, but my wife took good care of the family behind me. |
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Image 1: DEO Lai and his wife
| Q : |
What do you think about leaving your money or your business to your children? |
| A : |
It is the most unwise plan to leave money for your children, the next better plan is to leave a business for them, and the best plan is to leave talents for the society. |
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Image 2: Mr. Lai's daughter gave a bunch of flowers to him
| Q : |
You started off as a shoemaking apprentice, but why did you return to Taipei to become a hairdressing apprentice? |
Image 3: A photo of directors of each brance
Image 4: Mr. Lai went on a tour of inspection of every store in Taiwan
Image 5: Mr. Lai published his first book and the scene of the press conference
| Q : |
What do you think about leaving your money or your business to your children? |
Image 6: Mr. Lai holds two pairs of scissors and this means he creates a Kingdom of Haircut
| Q : |
You started off as a shoemaking apprentice, but why did you return to Taipei to become a hairdressing apprentice? |
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| A : |
Hairdressers made a lot of money back then, one district in Taipei spent one year's money, rice and meat to hire a resident hairdresser, so I chose to work as a hairdresser later. |
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| Q : |
Did you face opposition from your family as hairdressers had poor stereotyped image previously? |
| A : |
No. Working was to share in the family burden, and my family supported it. |
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| Q : |
Do you have -the idea of “high price, high quality, and high-end service right at the beginning”? |
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| A : |
Because it was an innovative business operation. In today’s words, it was a different “market position”. |
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Image 7: Mr. Lai was awarded "Shi-Mei" in 2004 and took a picture with Dean Wang
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Did you get help during your venturing process? Or who have helped you through to success? |
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| A : |
I relied mostly on my own efforts and perseverance, while success of the enterprise relied on institutionalized management, which was a result of consulting the experts, scholars and friends. |
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Image 8: A trip with Mr. employees
| Q : |
Do you find it toilsome to start a business? |
| A : |
Not at all! Doing what I like is of course not toilsome! |
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| Q : |
Which do you think is more important, certificates or skills? |
| A : |
I used to think certificates were more important, but now I stress more on skills; that’s why I’m offering more vocational training for the staff. |
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Image 9: Mr. Lai and his wife were awarded by Rotary Club International, Taiwan Branch |
