Eric Leong - EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020
PORTFOLIO Magazine|January 2021
Eric Leong, Managing Director and co-founder of Mlion Corporation and winner of EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 — Industrial Solutions, is on a mission to reinvigorate the steel industry by breaking away from a one-size-fits-all approach.
Anton D. Javier
Eric Leong - EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020

Before he found success in the steel industry, Eric Leong’s journey as an entrepreneur started on two wheels — literally.

The 35-year-old Managing Director and co-founder of Mlion Corporation Pte Ltd, a foundation steel solution provider, is an avid cyclist and spotted an opportunity in the underserved BMX bicycle market a few years ago.

“I started my first business while still at university. Being a cyclist myself, I found that there were very few shops servicing riders in Singapore, and much of the gear and merchandise was overpriced,” Leong shares. “Together with a fellow rider, we contacted brands across Europe and the US, and imported them into Singapore.”

Whether it was inexperience or an overeagerness that clouded his vision, things, unfortunately, did not go as planned at the start. He admits, “We initially had no clue on logistics and freight forwarding. I remember when the first container of goods arrived, we didn’t even have a warehouse! I had no choice but to fill my home with bicycle gear.” Thankfully, this misstep turned out to be a valuable lesson that would soon be followed by success. “We sold the products online and also distributed them to shops. The traction was good, and we were even running the local BMX competition for the Singapore Sports Council. I saw this opportunity as a valuable experience in terms of how retail should be done, in addition to managing cash flow. In the end, however, my university workload was starting to take its toll, so we found a suitable buyer and sold the business after two good years of running it.”

Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av PORTFOLIO Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av PORTFOLIO Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA PORTFOLIO MAGAZINESe alt
To Have And To Hold
PORTFOLIO Magazine

To Have And To Hold

Marquis QSquare has opened its major showroom at a new location in Marina Square.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2021
Meet Brenda Kang Of Revival Vintage Jewels
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Meet Brenda Kang Of Revival Vintage Jewels

Popular luxury labels reign supreme in Singapore, but when it comes to jewellery, attitudes are slowly changing, shares Brenda Kang of Revival Vintage Jewels. She reveals that jewellery lovers are unable to resist the charm of vintage and the allure of next generation jewellers.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2021
A New Pony In Town
PORTFOLIO Magazine

A New Pony In Town

The Pagani Huayra R may well be a high-tech car disguised as a hypercar.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2021
Modern And Luxurious Good Class Bungalow
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Modern And Luxurious Good Class Bungalow

Marquis HQO, together with veteran design consultant Patty Mak, come together to breathe life into this modern and luxurious good class bungalow

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2021
Bell & Ross's BR 05 -  It's Hip To Be Square
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Bell & Ross's BR 05 - It's Hip To Be Square

The playful shapes of the BR 05 has allowed Bell & Ross to create designs they can proudly call their own

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2021
The Lexus ES In Focus
PORTFOLIO Magazine

The Lexus ES In Focus

The numbers don’t lie: With a cumulative sales total of over 2.65 million units worldwide, the Lexus ES is a gamechanger in the Lexus range. What’s more, it enjoys the distinction of being the best-selling Lexus sedan in Singapore.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2021
As Good As It Gets
PORTFOLIO Magazine

As Good As It Gets

As I’m writing this, Thanksgiving is just round the corner – in 10 days to be exact – and my Thanksgiving dinner plans are still up in the air. Do I take the risk and put in my dinner reservations and have a contingency takeaway dinner plan if Covid dining restrictions are still limited to two?

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
Festive Feasting For The Holidays
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Festive Feasting For The Holidays

Presenting some of the season’s most sumptuous delights, which can be enjoyed at home or at these top tables and hotels

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
BENDING TIME
PORTFOLIO Magazine

BENDING TIME

Nathan Yong’s collection of stone art titled ‘Farewell to Reason’ reflects the artist and designer’s search for irreverence, simplicity, and beauty

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2021
Restaurants And Chefs That Are Bringing All New Dining Experiences
PORTFOLIO Magazine

Restaurants And Chefs That Are Bringing All New Dining Experiences

A selection of familiar restaurants and chefs that are bringing all new dining experiences

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2021