The Donut King
The Rags to Riches Story of a Poor Immigrant Who Changed the World
Like many Cambodians, Ted Ngoy was forced to flee his home country when its government was taken over by the Khmer Rouge. That was the beginning of a lifelong journey that would route through the United States and, eventually, terminate back in Cambodia. This poignantly written memoir traces Ngoy’s dramatic ups and downs as he makes and loses a fortune in business and then reinvents himself.
In his riveting narrative, Ngoy candidly shares his numerous trials and tribulations, highlighting several turning points for him and his family. One of the most consequential of these is the author’s first taste of an American donut, about which he writes, “I was transported back to childhood celebrations and sweet moments with my mother, who occasionally brought sweet treats home for me.”
Intrigued, Ngoy asks an American acquaintance to help him secure a position as a trainee in a donut shop. This ultimately leads to Ngoy operating first one donut shop and then successfully investing in several more until he becomes wealthy. His subsequent challenges, which include a gambling addiction, entering politics, getting divorced and remarried, homelessness, and a revived career in Cambodia, are compelling.
There are many lessons to be learned here, from both a business and a personal perspective. As a largely self-taught entrepreneur with excellent instincts, Ngoy shows that he understands the principles of customer service, brand integrity, and delegation. His observations are noteworthy; for example, he writes of owning donut shops, “Sometimes the greatest opportunities are hiding behind unattractive masks.” He also has the ability to analyze his own shortcomings, as when he discusses the “two visions of Ted Ngoy,” one a successful businessperson and one an addicted gambler.
Ngoy comes full circle in this sobering yet highly engaging reminiscence. His is a life well worth reading about.
Reviewed by
Barry Silverstein
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
