The Council of Labor Affairs rewarded 10 business owners yesterday for the success of their start-ups, which were made possible by the council’s business start-up program.
The 10 business owners represented a wide range of industries, including food, travel and fashion design.
All of them started their businesses with the help of the council’s Micro-business Start-up Program, which offers loans of up to NT$1,000,000 (US$33,000) as well as consultation and entrepreneurship classes and training.
“In the midst of the financial downturn, the government should have a number of methods for dealing with problems such as a high unemployment rate,” council minister Jennifer Wang (王如玄) said.
In view of a recent wave of layoffs, Wang said those who were out of work should consider starting their own businesses to “be their own boss.”
The council praised the business owners for overcoming hurdles to start their businesses and contributing to the economy by creating job opportunities.
The winners have been invited on a trip to Japan, where they will visit micro-businesses and share their experiences with fellow business founders.
Hsiao Ya-fang (蕭雅芳), the owner of a tea house chain that sells herbal teas, was one of the those awarded yesterday. Before starting her own business, she worked at a Chinese herbal medicine shop.
“The only thing on my mind each day was what to cook for dinner,” she said. “But now, I am the owner of five stores.”
Her efforts have boosted her income dramatically, she said, but emphasized that money wasn’t everything.
“If you have your health, you can add many zeros to your savings account, depending on your job skills. But without your health, the zeros are just zeros,” she said.
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