The Donut King – A Memoir About Changing the World
There are few things in the world I enjoy more than donuts. Whether we’re talking classic old-fashioneds or going hog wild and embracing some sort of chicken and donut combo like at Gourdough’s, I cannot get enough.
Something I enjoy just as much as donuts, though, is good storytelling. And when you can combine a great story with donuts? Well, life is just GRAND.
So Let’s Read About Donuts
That’s why I really dug reading The Donut King: The Rags to Riches Story of a Poor Immigrant Who Changed the World, by Ted Ngoy. The memoir details Ngoy’s life as a Cambodian refugee, arriving in Southern California in the mid 70s without a penny to his name.
Less than a decade later, he was thriving as “The Donut King,” going toe to toe with giants like Dunkin’ Donuts. Of course, a memoir is rarely all sunshine and butterflies (or in this case, frosting and glaze), and there are a handful of sad moments in this book. Ngoy took a trip to Las Vegas that turned into a gambling addiction – pro tip for 2018 gambling: don’t bet against LeBron James when he’s playing another team in the Eastern Conference – eventually costing him his riches.
That happened not just once…not just twice…but THREE separate times.
It’s really an emotional roller coaster going through Ngoy’s rises and subsequent falls. And there are a few themes that emerge to keep Ngoy both humble and looking to achieve more.
First off, his family. Cambodians, as Ngoy describes are “a loyal people,” and that’s clearly demonstrated throughout his story. He can always turn to his family for advice, encouragement, and sometimes, hard truths. You can tell Ngoy has a reverence for them and how they’ve helped along his journey, which is always cool to see.
I also admire Ngoy’s desire to take chances to achieve his goals. Starting a business isn’t something you can do (or at least you shouldn’t do) overnight. But it does require a certain leap of faith, knowing you’re committing yourself to constant, hard work that brings a unique set of challenges. Ngoy credits this willingness to take chances to being “the long shot” with nothing to lose since he had nothing to begin with. And success comes to those who take chances. Sure, you may fail, but wouldn’t you rather take a risk for something you’re passionate about?
The Donut King Helps Education, Too
Another great thing Ngoy is doing is promoting education in Cambodia. He’s using The Donut King to endow $1 million to a new education foundation. The foundation will provide scholarships to deserving Cambodian children.
Even if you’re not a fan of donuts like I am, this is still worth a read. Ngoy has lived the American dream (numerous times) and created a delicious empire. It’s a story of perseverance, going for your goals, and how a strong network of support can make a world of difference.
You can check out The Donut King on Amazon or learn more about Ngoy’s story on his website. Now go grab a copy of the book, your favorite donut, and enjoy.
