When people see Akari products today—smart lighting, solar-powered solutions, and home essentials in over 1,000 outlets nationwide—they often forget that its roots go back to a tiny apartment in Binondo, Manila. What began with one table, one employee, and even a calesa for deliveries has since evolved into one of the Philippines’ most trusted lighting and electrical brands.
At the heart of this story is Dr. Carlos Tiu, founder of Carlson Trading and patriarch of the Tiu family. His journey, marked by grit, education, and resourcefulness, offers timeless lessons for entrepreneurs.
A Scholar with a Side Job
Before becoming a businessman, Dr. Tiu was a student at Mapúa Institute of Technology, taking up Electrical Engineering. But unlike many of his peers, he was also a working student.
“When my father was a student in Mapúa, he was a working student. He interned in an electrical store somewhere in Santa Cruz,” shared his daughter, Catherine Tiu-Tan, now Executive Vice President of Akari
That part-time job introduced him to the intricacies of the trade—how electrical products were sourced, sold, and serviced. It was practical training that would later shape his entrepreneurial instincts.
Seed Capital from a Schoolteacher
In 1966, with just ₱10,000–20,000 in seed capital, Dr. Tiu founded Carlson Trading. The money came from his mother, a schoolteacher in Iloilo who later became a dressmaker. “My father started this business with a very little capital of around 10 to 20,000. That came from the savings of my Lola,” Catherine recalled
From that modest beginning, Carlson Trading started as a simple trading company. “Initially, he just traded electrical items. Meaning he bought from sources and he sold to his clients. So that’s how it worked,” Catherine explained
With no staff except himself, he handled everything—purchasing, inventory, sales, and delivery. For transport, he used a horse-drawn calesa. “At that time, we had one office table, one office staff who was my father, one delivery vehicle—initially a calesa—and one dream,” Catherine said
From Trader to Distributor
Over time, Carlson Trading evolved beyond small-scale trading. The company became the exclusive distributor for global brands such as Hitachi and later Toshiba Lighting and Wiring Devices. This marked a turning point for the Tiu family’s business, giving them credibility and steady growth in a competitive market.
Carlson Trading’s reputation for reliability and quality set the stage for an even bigger leap—creating their own brand.
The Birth of Akari
In 2002, the family introduced Akari, which means “bright light” in Japanese. Despite its Japanese name, Akari is proudly Filipino. “Akari is a Japanese word that means bright light. But all Akari products are 100% for the Filipinos and conceptualized by Filipinos,” Catherine emphasized
With Akari, the Tius saw an opportunity: to provide everyday Filipinos with world-class products at entry-level prices. The brand expanded rapidly, diversifying into fans, extension cords, emergency lights, mosquito killers, and eventually solar and smart lighting through its premium sub-brand, NextLED.
Lessons from Humble Beginnings
What makes the Akari story remarkable is not just its growth, but the values behind it. Catherine reflected that their father instilled discipline and involvement early. Even as children, the Tiu siblings were part of the business.
“Even before we were aware that there was a term called employment, we lived in a very small apartment in Binondo. After we did our homework, we helped our father do little things for the office,” she said
The dining table became both a study desk and a work desk. Small tasks like checking invoices and filling deposit slips became early lessons in accounting and inventory. For the Tiu children, business was not a classroom subject—it was part of daily life.
From Family Business to National Brand
Today, Akari is led by the second generation, with Catherine as Executive Vice President and her brother Christopher as CEO. Together with their siblings and professional managers, they have expanded the business across multiple sectors, including real estate and education, while staying true to their roots.
But Catherine insists the company’s success is built on more than strategy or sales. “More than your balance sheet line items or your financial statements, the number one thing that makes the company succeed for decades is our staff, our team,” she said
Bright Futures
From a calesa to a conglomerate, the journey of Carlson Trading to Akari is proof that even the humblest beginnings can grow into a lasting legacy. Fueled by discipline, family unity, and a commitment to education, the Tius transformed a small trading shop into a brand that brightens homes across the Philippines.
For entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear: never underestimate small beginnings. As Catherine put it, their father started with “one office staff who was my father, one delivery vehicle—and one dream”
Sometimes, that is all it takes to spark a legacy.
