Malaysia’s leading investment education platform, GrandPine Capital Sdn Bhd (GrandPine Capital) was established in 2003 by two passionate individuals, Lee Yon Onn and Lok Kok Khong to improve and enhance the lives of Malaysian investors through professional and world-class investment education.

The vision has since allowed the duo to help over 30,000 members achieve financial freedom over the years, making them a significant influencer in the local stock market.

As the founder of GrandPine Capital, Yon Onn said the company is committed to empowering one million families in Malaysia through value investing.

“We consistently raise investment standards in Malaysia and offer all Malaysians a sustainable path to financial freedom,” he told Entrepreneur Insight in an interview recently.

Based in Petaling Jaya, Yon Onn said the company is dedicated to inspiring more outstanding businesses to be listed on the stock market and expand internationally.

“We are creating a new ecosystem where the right capital goes to the right companies, benefiting both investors and businesses. I believe that within a few years, Malaysian investors will have more and more ideal listed companies as investment targets, allowing better companies to obtain more financial support. Following that, investors and outstanding companies will achieve rapid growth and create a better future together,” he said.

When asked about his mentor, Yon Onn is eager to discuss his connection with Karthik Siva, a highly acclaimed and respected international strategy consultant, whom he keeps in great respect.

“The first question he asked me was, does your business matter? I was stunned at that time and since then I started to make big changes to my businesses. I learned that great companies and leaders go beyond the pursuit of money. They pursue meaning. They seek to solve or address an important human problem or global challenge. They seek to make a difference.

“His words changed my philosophy of running a business and made me resolutely give up my company in China and most of my business and return to Malaysia to develop, and focus on developing GrandPine Capital, so that people in Malaysia can easily learn value investment, and realise wealth freedom.

“I also take the advantage to work with him to cultivate and elevate more entrepreneurs through comprehensive brand strategy consultation and mentorship, making their business matter,” he added.

The 100 Most Influential Young Entrepreneurs 2022 (100MIYE) recipient said in the past, he assumed that starting a business was all about making money.

“After meeting Karthik Siva, I found out that there is a difference between being a businessman and an entrepreneur. Doing business is a simple transaction while running an enterprise is a long-term systematic project, and branding is of the utmost importance!

“Everyone who runs an enterprise wants their company to become a sustainable one, however, with fierce global competition, it was not an easy feat. To become a sustainable enterprise, you can’t just think about making money but how much value you can bring to this community,” said the promising entrepreneur.

Given his vast experience as an entrepreneur, Yon Onn shares this advice with fellow businessmen.

“After getting in touch with many small and medium-sized enterprises through a business health check, I think that start-ups often fall into a trap, focusing too much on sales and ignoring brand competitiveness.

“There is nothing wrong with focusing on selling goods, but when the whole market is selling the same product, there will be homogeneity, leading to an intensive price war.

“Entrepreneurs must be mentally prepared, have a clear blueprint and brand strategy to ensure that they are moving in the right direction,” he concluded.