An entrepreneur from the age of 9, Alan Pierce was destined to be a creative business man!
What’s your story?
I have lived in Europe, the Middle East, America and South East Asia and have travelled to over 35 countries and picked up Indonesian, English, French and hopefully in the next five years, Spanish. I became both an entrepreneur and artist from a young age, starting my first business at 9 years old. My grandfather had special access to a bulk wholesale company so I convinced him to let me buy a few boxes of candy bars from the money I had saved from my allowance and bam; my first business was born. I sold at school from my backpack, at the bus stop and even at my house. I also started painting, drawing and sculpting at the same age and have continued until now.
What excites you most about your industry?
When I first started in construction, it was building infrastructure in remote areas in Sumatra that were very hard to get to, by anything except off road motorbike. We were building roads, ports and government buildings and there was always a sense of adventure and things yet to see. I love building in all of its capacities and being involved with the building of cities/infrastructure and helping foster human capacity in those I work with is the most rewarding.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I’m an American-Indonesian but spent the most of my time in Indonesia – close to 18 years. I’ve been here since it was a dictatorship under Soeharto and was here when we had the 1998 riots. From that time, almost 20 years ago, I’ve watched Indonesia grow towards a healthy democracy, with a few bumps in the road but ultimately, I see a massive potential for Indonesia’s economy on a global scale.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I would have to say in terms of speed and ease of doing business, Singapore would be the most convenient, but it is a mature market with a smaller population and less possibilities for growth than other less developed parts of Southeast Asia.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Decide what you want written on your gravestone, make a plan to achieve that and begin everyday to live your life accordingly.”
Who inspires you?
Michelangelo, Warren Buffet, Elon Musk and last but not least, my mother and grandmother for their outstanding work ethic and humble attitude. My mother was one of the first eight women to be allowed to attend Princeton and has written over sixty books. My grandmother has travelled and worked in over 80 countries and at 93, travels to this day.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Positive thought and negative thoughts cannot exist in the same space.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
If I had to say, I would definitely have spent less time working “in” my businesses and more time working “on” them.
How do you unwind?
I train martial arts, namely Silat Awan Putih, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I have a deep passion for the martial arts and started when I was five years old. I find that training martial arts is very healthy, mentally and physically and also develops your creativity as well as one’s personal relationship with the truth. When you are training, your body tells you if you have been training enough or you are out of shape. I think it’s an essential thing for an entrepreneur to dream big but always be in touch with reality.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Bali! It is so beautiful and culturally amazing. As an artist it is one of the art meccas I have found that is only rivalled by Rome and Paris. The food is ridiculously good. If you go there you have to try Thai spice if you like Thai food and if you like to hit the night scene, SOHO is your 24 hour go to restaurant.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill.
Shameless plug for your business:
My company, Ansuz Balder Magni Quarry (ABM Quarry) is a rock Quarry Management company, providing all quarry related services from A through Z. If you are interested in the tremendous potential of Indonesia’s infrastructure growth and partnering to develop Quarries to supply that need, please reach out and contact us.
How can people connect with you?
If you have any questions please email me at: [email protected]
Or
go to our website: quarry.abm.investments and message us from the contact page.
Or
Connect with me via LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-pierce-780b5a20/
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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