The matter is not over yet!
Finally, I am given "permission" by my partner James Wee to reveal about his past.
It was in 2012 that I got to meet James Wee in one of the Business networking. That time, I see him as a hardworking and sincere person. He is responsible, committed and passionate towards his work.
Cut the story short, we get along really well and often have in-depth discussions in business matters and sometime, family & personal matters. Our strengths compliment each other perfectly. Our relationship grew stronger day by day (not to the extend of sharing boxer). Out of nowhere, I suddenly pop the question...I proposed to him to be my partner...............in business. He gave me a long hesitation and suddenly, in a deep dull voice, he said "I am a bankrupt, I cannot own any business". It came as a shock to me. It has never occur to me that he was bankrupt. This proposal silent off.
I am thankful for his truthfulness and his trust in me. He requested me to keep it a secret. Our friendship continues. In last week of February 2013, I invited him to Xiamen, China to visit my production plant for crafting 3D caricature figurines, "iGongZai.com". During this period, on 24 Feb 2013, I proposed to him again. I told him on 1 March 2013, I am exhibiting in Career Fair 2013. I will like you to become my better half of the business "unofficially", but we can only rely on mutual trust. This time, he gave his consent and mark the start of our journey.
In our first partnership, together, we clocked sales in more than S$200,000.00 of sales in our first exhibition as partners. From that day, I know that we are the perfect match. We never doubted each other abilities, focusing entirely to get the job done. We never once haggle over money. We respect every decision made. Our partnership propelled the growth of business ranging from laundry, car wash, mobile app to a coffee chain called COFFEE:NOWHERE. Together, we have conducted more than 300 seminars and 50 exhibitions both locally and overseas. We are also given 4 awards recognition. It is the unwavering faith that kept us knitted together until now.
I know James desire is to be officially released from Bankruptcy. James was a new born Christian (led by our mentor Boyd Au). Sharing the same faith, his desire became part of my prayer list. This is when miracle started to happen.
Coincidentally, 3 years ago (13 Apr 2014, Sunday) which was also a Resurrection Sunday. I was attending church and Ps Kong was sharing a sermon on hope. It was during the preaching that I begin to hear from Holy Spirit that James will be coming out of bankruptcy very soon. It was very real and tangible.
| Screenshot of my Whatsapp messgae to James |
I texted James in our Whatsapp group immediately thereafter. Our constant prayer paid off in that same year where James finally got his bankruptcy lifted. God is indeed faithful to His words. Pastor always say, we can be poor today, but we will not be poor forever. Only trust and believe.
Thereafter, James became my official partner, sharing half of our every business.
Today, 16 April 2017, also on a Resurrection Sunday, Jame's journey of business was printed in local newspaper "新明日报". It revealed that James bankruptcy was due to default payment of mortgage loan made by his late father, where he was the guarantor. He endured with this bankruptcy status for a good 11 years before being set free. He mentioned in the interview that it was responsibility, commitment and passion that sees him through. I will like to add in "consistency" too.
I am so proud and happy for him and yes, the matter is not over yet. Your latter will be more glorious than the former. In Jer 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
I thank God for this brother and pray that Your peace will be upon him.
This is indeed a journey of excellence.
P.S. This is not an eulogy
This post first appeared on O P P O R T U N I T Y | By | Welson Ang, please read the originial post: here
