Turning 10 this year, Truelifesciences Sdn Bhd is a growing Malaysia-based company that continues to deliver innovative nutraceuticals that help people lead healthier lives. However, their mission doesn’t just stop there. On top of encouraging people to take charge of their lives through supplements, this one-of-a-kind company also aims to support independent pharmacies in a time where chain pharmacies are on a rise.
Understanding the crucial roles independent pharmacies play in the community is the very backbone that has cemented Truelifesciences’ journey since its establishment in 2012. Bracing through the pandemic (now turned endemic) hasn’t been an easy ride for many companies. However, that didn’t stop Truelifesciences from growing and now successfully celebrating its 10th anniversary.
In conjunction with the big 10, we sat down with Joe P Ganesaguru, the CEO and founder of Truelifesciences to talk about secret talents, pastas, business and the company’s continued success. Happy reading!
1Twenty80: How has your day been?
Joe P: I’m doing very good, today! As for the business, the environment has changed where everything is very fast-paced. During the pandemic, things were a little slow due to the restrictions put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19. Now that we’re transitioning into endemicity, things are starting to accelerate. Everything that we do now needs to be two or three times faster.
1Twenty80: Do you have a secret talent that no one knows about?
Joe P: Something that not many people know about me is that I love to cook! Most of the dishes I cook are impromptu and depend on what’s in the refrigerator at that time. However, my loved ones know me for my twist on pastas. I love to cook pasta with a Malaysian twist. I add in chilli and some vegetables to give it that spicy taste.
1Twenty80: Why did you start Truelifesciences?
Joe P: I started my career in the healthcare industry as a sales person, I noticed the trend of preventive health and selfcare within the Malaysian population. This was when I realised there was a great demand for health supplements especially from the segment of nutraceuticals that focuses on nutritional supplements intended to provide health benefits.
1Twenty80: What do you think is the biggest strength of this company right now?
Joe P: As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I strongly believe our biggest strength is persistence and commitment towards educating about healthy living. We’re very innovative in product introduction and so far I can proudly say that we are always the first to introduce a new formula. Around 10 years ago, it was a challenge to promote cranberry powder when everyone back then was drinking cranberry juice, or Ikan Haruan (Snakehead fish) protein in tablets.
1Twenty80: Is there a particular team or organisation whose culture you admire?
Joe P: Throughout the growth of Truelifesciences, there were a few companies that I personally admired. First, it would be Apple and I admired Steve Jobs’ culture about creating a great product. Secondly, I respect General Electric (GE) with its Employee Involvement. Inspired by that, we at Truelifesciences are relaxed in giving our managers the opportunity to implement their own ideas, as long as they comply with the company’s values and ethics.
I’ve been practising an open door policy where anyone and everyone in the office can approach me to talk about various topics, and this includes voicing out their concerns and sharing their ideas too.
Joe P Ganesaguru
1Twenty80: What do you find is the best way of communicating with the organisation?
Joe P: I always believe in listening to what is in view or ideas from the heart. I welcome constructive criticism and ideas from my employees regardless of their positions. I’ve been practising an open door policy where anyone and everyone in the office can approach me to talk about various topics, and this includes voicing out their concerns and sharing their ideas too.
My work desk is a round table and I chose that shape in hopes that it shows that everyone is equal when it comes to discussions.
1Twenty80: What have been the biggest Challenge you’ve faced so far?
Joe P: In the past 10 years, the biggest challenge is always pushing the limits. Many employees who have joined us were content with small growth. They never challenge themselves to go further. However, I’m thankful that the younger generation are always ready to go further. This was how we were able to still continue growing during the pandemic.
1Twenty80: What is the most important part of employee well-being for you?
Joe P: Different employees have different expectations of employee well-being. Some prioritise job satisfaction, money, job security or career advancement. The important part of an employee’s well-being for me is their mental health. I always make it a point to approach my employees and ask them how they’re doing. I feel it’s important to check up on your colleagues and employees to ensure that they’re doing alright. It’s also vital for me that the employees understand our vision in their journey with us. This makes all our visions align.
Forgiveness is a good policy to practice. Always forgive people who have hurt you. You’ll always get help when you are sincere and honest.
Joe P Ganesaguru
1Twenty80: Did you expect to be where you are today, 10 years ago?
Joe P: When this business first started, the first and most important thing I was hoping and expecting was to earn the consumers’ trust in the Truelifesciences brand and products. It’s been a long journey and we take it day by day. It’s very interesting to look back because we had only two employees as that was all we could afford to hire at that time. Now, we’re growing at 63 employees to date and will close 2022 at 80 employees.
1Twenty80: What has been your biggest lesson learned in these 10 years?
Joe P: Forgiveness is a good policy to practice. Always forgive people who have hurt you. You’ll always get help when you are sincere and honest.
1Twenty80: How do you see this organisation changing in the next five years?
Joe P: It’s a RM100 million question. We aim to spread our wings to Singapore and Vietnam. We also hope to be the champion brand under the nutraceutical category for most independent pharmacies. We started with two products, now at 48 products and we’re hoping to reach 200 SKUs in five years time. We’re looking to strengthen our products in Cardio, Renal, Immunity, WellBeing, Wound & Rehab categories. We’re also in the plans to launch our own skin care range.
1Twenty80: What are YOUR plans to sustain success?
Joe P: Success is about having the right people in the company, sustaining success is to ensure many talented people join us and giving their best in growing the company to greater heights.
1Twenty80: Do you have any special words to share with the independent pharmacies and pharmacists who have been supporting the Truelifesciences brand?
Joe P: I started Truelifesciences because I saw pharmacists putting in a lot of effort in building relationships with their customers. This relationship is built through trust. We want to continue working with these pharmacists because their trust and recommendation of products leaves a huge impact on customers. Both pharmacies and pharmacists have been a big support to Truelifesciences since day one.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the pharmacists for your trust in us. We will continue to put in more efforts to ensure that independent pharmacies will continue to grow alongside us. We shall also continue distributing good quality products to your pharmacies and we hope this will in turn be beneficial for your patrons.
