Cover Alvin and Jason Chen at Czip+ by CzipLee in Bangsar Village 2
Alvin and Jason Chen at Czip+ by CzipLee in Bangsar Village 2
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With May 24th being International Brother’s Day, we speak to the Chen brothers who not only grew up together, but work together at CzipLee
While blood may be thicker than water, there are plenty of people who advise against going into business with family. Jason and Alvin Chen of CzipLee however successfully navigate working together while maintaining their brotherly love.
Jason and Alvin are both very involved in the operations of their family business. CzipLee’s history harks back to 1968, when their father, Peter Chen, started the business in Kajang, Selangor—which is now run by other family members.
“We’ve been running the business together for about 18 years, so it’s like having a teenage child. We grew up in the business in Kajang, and it’s not easy; we saw our parents have issues at work, and sometimes it’s like a cold war at home. But over the years, we saw how they managed it and really tried to draw a line. They provided proper guidance for us, and we try our best to keep work as work and leave professional matters at the office once we leave. The running joke we have is that, ‘Thankfully we don’t have to share the same bed at night’,” quips Alvin about the blurred lines of professional and private lives that come with family-run outfits.
Read more: International Brother’s Day: Neerav and Divesh Valiram
Above Alvin and Jason are a fun duo who also mean business
Alvin and Jason are a fun duo who also mean business
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Alvin was already doing work for his father part-time—digitising the company’s catalogue—until Jason, the eldest of three siblings, returned from Australia and joined CzipLee full-time. “I was already in the business then dad asked Alvin to join us at Bangsar, saying that we’re starting a new project, and that it would take about three to five years. Look how that turned out,” says Jason.
“We’re more or less across the board in the business. We handle the finances, the purchasing, and some backend work too,” shares the eldest Chen. “Jason’s good with visual merchandising, which helps keep our spaces fresh and exciting,” Alvin compliments his older brother. Meanwhile, Alvin enjoys the people aspect of operations, engaging the team, and liaising with vendors for purchasing. The brothers complement each other by using their individual strengths and talents. “I kind of get the final say on what we buy, then Jason figures out a way to display it well enough to sell,” adds Alvin.
Above The brothers have been running the business together for about 18 years
The brothers have been running the business together for about 18 years
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“However, we do make decisions collectively, and we’re pretty much hands-on in the business, especially when it comes to financing and management; but on the operations side, we allow some leeway and freedom to run things—yes, we give feedback, suggestions and guidance, but we let those who join us manage things,” shares Jason.
“It’s important to have boundaries with family when working together. So, our wives don’t get involved in the business because they’re not a part of it; sure, they can share opinions and ideas, but business is business,” Alvin adds.
“Some years back, however, we started this concept we call the power of three, because sometimes decisions can be stuck between the two of us. So for every decision that we don’t agree on, we invite a relevant third person to help swing the decision—it could be someone from the operations team or directly involved in the matter. As long as two people are onboard, then that’s the direction taken,” elaborates Alvin on how work conflicts are sometimes resolved.
See also: The brothers behind Binwani's Group on balancing tradition and modernisation in a family business
When asked what quality they cherish most about the other, Jason answered, “Alvin helps ground me and pulls me back to reality every now and then. Of course, there’s some friction, but I’m certain that despite our personal goals, our faith in God and support in each other will help ensure the end goal will be a good one.” On his part, Alvin is grateful that “Jason doesn’t play the eldest son, older brother card; he allows the partnership to be fair as much as he can.”
Through thick and thin, the brothers have displayed grit and integrity, even thinking of almost shuttering the business after a fire broke out at CzipLee Bangsar in 2016 and damaged most of their stock and equipment, and again post-pandemic. But what kept them going was the people that they have—including some staff who’ve been around since day one! “We’ve been blessed since it’s a family business. Our parents laid the groundwork, and we’re just trying to maintain the standard they set,” Alvin says. And now, those looking for stationery in the Bangsar area can also check out their newest outpost in Bangsar Village 2.
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If tall, dark and handsome is what you're looking for, Aaron Pereira ticks two out of three. This fine chocolate man (that is, a connoisseur of fine chocolate), enjoys the theatre, futsal, real-life conversations and of course, the English language. He believes that language should first be used to express, but the business of a sub-editor is to impress.
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