His true calling
BENJAMIN HO, is a 27-year-old businessman who is the co-owner and co-manager of a restaurant called Let’s Meat. Ho is also the co-owner of a rock climbing business. What sets this young businessman apart from others is his passion for helping the needy.
This father of three encourages his customers to do their bit for the less fortunate by organising events they can take part in.
He recently spoke to theSun about his charitable endeavours and why he believes it is important to reach out to others.
How did this idea of giving back to the community by donating proceeds from your restaurant business come about?
“We have contributed proceeds with certain events but we also do donations and we add on to the donations. We give them to different NGOs. We feel that business isn’t just about profits. We don’t feel that our business serves a purpose if it is not benefiting the people around us. At a restaurant, your main goal is to make people happy. People do that with their product or their service. No doubt, we do that but we want to take it one step further. We want our community to be healthy and not just by feeding them healthy food. We want our community to be aware that people are suffering around them.”
Some restaurants do their part by putting a charity box near the cashier, but you do it differently. Tell us about that.
“The only thing we do differently is that we organise it as an event. If you just leave a box there, the message that it sends to the customer is: ‘Whatever I can spare I am going to give.’ So I am going to give you my loose change but I am not going to get involved. I am not going to do a good thing if it is intrusive to my personal happiness. If someone else’s wellbeing is going to cause me discomfort, then I am not going to do it.
“We don’t want all that. We want our communities to be involved. We want our communities to be invested, we want our communities to show true kindness. It is not real generosity when it does not cost you anything.”
How has the community responded?
“I think the community appreciates it. It is more challenging for them. It is also more challenging for us but we think it is healthier that way.
“When you give something, don’t expect anything in return.”
What made you want to be your own boss?
“I think if you are a young entrepreneur, you have a boldness that comes from a sense of ignorance. You don’t know what it fully entails and so you dive into it. If I could see five years down the road the amount of stress that comes with having your own business, I don’t know if I would have the guts to jump into it. But at the time (when he started), me and my wife wanted to have time with our children. Although it is your own business, you don’t have the time but you have the flexibility to bring your children to work. We don’t bring our kids now due to the pandemic and my wife stays at home with them.
“Before the pandemic, my five-year-old son would help out by cleaning tables and cutting fruit. He is learning about the business.”
What are your future plans?
“Very hard to say. For now, it is to curate and manage what I have and do it well.”
How do you feel about being seen as a role model?
“It makes me nervous (laughs). I know myself enough to tell my kids to do as I say but not necessarily do what I do. I do my best, they manage to pick up the good and leave the parts that need improvement.”
