NEW YORK – Manoj Bhargava, an Indo-American behind the Multi-Billion Dollar Brand, 5-hour ENERGY claims to be the richest Indian in America, according to a Forbes report.
According to experts, Bharagava’s brand ‘5-hour ENERGY’, a flavoured energy drink, under his company ‘Living Essential’ is ruling the market of energy shots with profits that accounts to billions of dollars. Bhargava’s stake in the company is estimated to be more than $3 billion and it took just 8 years for Bhargava to take his company and brand towards success and conquer the market with nearly 90 percent shares. 5 Hour, named as one of “America’s Hottest Brands” in 2009 is a delicious chalky cough syrup which includes ingredients such as caffeine and vitamin elixir which keeps a person alert without crashing.
The most interesting part is that this wealthiest man and his brand didn’t get much attention from media and leading competitors such as Red Bull and Monster until recently.
‘Humble’ is the apt word to describe this modest personality who takes pride in his economical lifestyle and is satisfied with his ancient flip phone, not-so-expensive office furniture and two-storey house. In the year 2009 he donated $1 billion to charity.
Born in Lucknow in the year 1953, Bhargava moved to West Philadelphia in 1967 accompanied by his parents. He joined Princeton University to study mathematics, his favourite subject since childhood, but after a year he dropped out blaming the system of education and easy math classes. Then he devoted nearly 12 years for spiritual learning and meditation in India and U.S.
Beginning of his career, Bhargava worked as a construction laborer, construction cleaning contractor, accounting clerk, taxi driver and tried his luck in many more sectors. In the 90’s he started a consumer products company, ‘Living Essentials’, which later on came up with the well-known product “5-Hour Energy”. He was honoured with the “Newsmaker of the Year” award in 2011, by the Crain’s Detroit Business.
