EMPERORS OF THE SUN
PAGE 3 OF 9

"Except for the thin gold lines emanating from it, it bears a striking resemblance to the Pepsi logo."

     This complex network of distributors, group directors, regional directors, vice-presidents, and so on, expands geometrically like a vast pyramid all over the world and continues to grow. The financial underpinnings of the phenomenon is a commission structure whereby up to 38 cents of every dollar of sales ends up in the pockets of distributors. Sunrider's influence is global, and sitting at the top of this pyramid of harmony and success is one man, the man who has reached mythic proportions among Sunriders. He is their prophet and the emperor of the Sunrider empire, Dr. Tei Fu Chen.
     As we make our way through the Grand Hyatt lobby and the sea of Sunriders in their bright red company jackets, we take the opportunity to learn a little about the man they were all here to see. Though very few of the Sunriders we speak with have met Dr Chen personally, they are all very eager to talk about him, cutting each other off, adding bits of information here and there, like a group of children describing Santa Claus to someone unfamiliar with the concept. The same words are repeated over and over in describing him: warm, friendly, caring, cordial, intelligent, humble, a genius.

pass a series of neat industrial parks surrounded by ample parking spaces before spotting a clean silver grey two-story building with a red, blue and gold logo on the side. Except for the thin gold lines emanating from it, it bears a striking resemblance to the Pepsi logo. It marks Sunrider International's world headquarters in Torrance, California. As we park in one of the conveniently located spaces toward the front entrance marked "Visitors Only", the security guard gives us a friendly wave.


Sunrider's herbal product line has expanded far beyond foods to lotions, cosmetics and even all-natural detergents and cleansers.

     The pretty young brunette sitting behind the reception counter greets me with a cheerful and extremely healthy smile and tells us to help ourselves to tea from a large stainless steel drink dispenser. One side of the airy, modern reception area is dedicated to a glass case displaying samples of Sunrider products, oils, snacks, sun tan lotions, face creams, shampoos. At a counter in front of the display sits a clear-skinned Chinese woman helping a pair of customers, an Asian woman and a somewhat older Caucasian woman.
     The Asian woman is explaining to the Caucasian woman the uses of various products. They eventually make a purchase that comes to over $100. Next in line is another clear-skinned young Asian woman who spends a similar amount. On a sofa across from me is an attractive, 40ish Chinese woman conferring with a casually dressed man in his 60s. PAGE 4

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