Early Life
Chen Tei-fu was born in Chiayi, Taiwan, in 1948. Growing up in post-war Taiwan, he experienced childhood illnesses, which sparked an interest in health and nutrition. He learned about herbs and their benefits from his grandfather, shaping his early understanding of wellness. Chen studied Chinese medicine and attended pharmacy school in Taiwan before immigrating to the United States with his wife, Oi-Lin Chen, in 1974.
Rise to Success
Chen's initial vision was to become a medical doctor, but after being rejected from medical schools, he began preparing herbal mixtures. This led to the founding of Sunrider International in 1982. Chen and his wife built the company from a small office in Utah, later moving the headquarters to Torrance, California. Sunrider grew into a major herbal products firm, with products distributed in approximately 50 countries through franchise stores and a multi-level marketing system.
Key Business Strategies
Chen's approach focused on providing high-quality, concentrated herbal products. The business model emphasizes the benefits of concentrated food supplements over traditional vitamin supplements. A key strategy has been the control of every aspect of the processing phase, from the herbs’ cultivation to manufacturing, ensuring product integrity and quality. Chen also expanded Sunrider into the hospitality industry with the purchase of hotels.
Philanthropy
Chen has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, including donations to UNICEF and disaster relief efforts. In 2013, he made a $2.5 million donation to Torrance Memorial Medical Center for its new surgical department.