The QI Group stands out for its diverse portfolio and global reach as a multinational conglomerate. Founded in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis, this Hong Kong-registered company has grown from its direct selling and e-commerce roots to become a significant player across multiple sectors worldwide. But behind every successful company are the visionaries who laid its foundation and steered its course. 

Who Is the Owner of QI Group?

Vijay Eswaran and Joseph Bismark co-founded the QI Group. Both play significant roles in guiding the company’s direction. Eswaran is the executive chairman of the board, while Joseph Bismark is the deputy chairman. However, the QI Group doesn’t have a single owner in the traditional sense; it is privately held and overseen by a board of directors, and its co-founders play key leadership roles.

Eswaran’s path to founding the QI Group shows his adaptability and vision. Born in Penang, Malaysia, Eswaran’s academic path led him to the London School of Economics, where he graduated with a degree in socioeconomics. He later obtained an MBA from Southern Illinois University in the United States.

During his time in the U.S., Eswaran was introduced to the direct selling model, which later became a cornerstone of QI Group’s business operations. Upon returning to Asia in the early 1990s, Eswaran began to see the vast potential for establishing a direct selling network in the region.

“I believe that leadership is not about telling people what to do. A true leader is one who knows how to serve,” stated Eswaran. “The philosophy closest to my heart, one that I learned at an early age from my father, is of ‘service above self.’ I watched him work tirelessly to develop other people and focus on what he could do to help selflessly.”

Bismark brings a unique perspective to his role in the QI Group. His background, shaped by his early education in a monastic ashram, endowed him with a rich mix of skills and philosophies that have influenced QI Group’s corporate culture and contributed to the company’s holistic business and employee development approach. With his distinct perspective and experiences, he has led QI Group’s expansion into wellness and organic foods, including Hawaii’s Down to Earth health food retail chain.

On LinkedIn, he posted, “Each day brings opportunities for learning and self-discovery. The lessons, challenges, and joys of life shape you, just as food nourishes your body. You don’t always need to force the process — simply embrace what life offers and trust that growth is taking place.”

Bismark’s philosophy has been instrumental in shaping QI Group’s leadership style and corporate values. “Leadership is often misunderstood. People think that it’s simply a form of recognition, a title. But this couldn’t be further from the truth,” he stated on LinkedIn. “I’m convinced that leadership for all is the future of successful organizations. Let’s abandon outdated hierarchies and embrace an environment that encourages everyone to lead from where they are. This isn’t a race for promotions, but a call to understand that leadership is everywhere, ever-changing, and at the heart of successful businesses.”

Diverse Portfolio, Inclusion, and Diversity

Under the leadership of Eswaran and Bismark, QI Group has evolved into a multinational conglomerate with a diverse portfolio encompassing strategic ventures in wellness and lifestyle, education, travel and leisure, luxury goods, and retail.

Through its investment arm, QI Capital, the Group actively invests in various portfolio companies across multiple countries. These investments span financial services, education, telecommunications, Swiss watchmaking, natural food retail, hospitality management, and e-commerce.

QI Group’s operations combine direct selling, e-commerce, and traditional business models. The company’s direct selling strategy, eliminating intermediaries, has been a key driver of its growth. It allows for a more intimate connection with its customer base while providing entrepreneurial opportunities for its network of distributors.

Eswaran and Bismark have instilled a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity within QI Group. Its workforce reflects this commitment, comprising employees from nearly 50 nationalities. This diversity brings together a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, contributing to the company’s innovation and global outlook.

Eswaran said, “I am a strong believer that an organization is not defined by its products or its glitzy marketing. The people who work for the organization are its true assets. A leader who takes care of his people will never have to worry about poor customer service. When you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers.”

QI Group works to create an environment where all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. This inclusive culture is bolstered through various initiatives, including diversity training programs, mentorship opportunities, and employee resource groups.

The company has cultivated a unique culture that emphasizes employee well-being and the pursuit of excellence. This commitment to a positive work environment is reflected in the nearly equal gender split among its workforce — 53% male and 47% female. Furthermore, QI Group’s inclusive approach extends to its business practices. The company actively seeks to work with diverse suppliers and partners, believing that this strengthens its supply chain and contributes to economic development in its communities.

Eswaran and Bismark’s Vision of a Socially Responsible Business

The men’s vision for QI Group went beyond mere profit. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles, they sought to build a company centered on the philosophy of “Raise Yourself To Help Mankind.” This guiding belief became the cornerstone of QI Group’s operations, focusing on self-improvement and social responsibility, and inspired the name of the company’s charitable foundation, the RYTHM Foundation. 

Since 2005, the foundation has collaborated with over 135 global partners on more than 75 projects, positively impacting tens of thousands of women, youth, and children worldwide.

QI Group promotes employee volunteerism through its Employee Community Impact initiative, rooted in the RYTHM concept. Employees are encouraged to contribute 16 hours annually to local community causes, with many exceeding this target. Since its 2013 inception, the ECI program has resulted in over 114,000 volunteer hours across more than 20 countries, demonstrating the company’s commitment to community service and social responsibility.

The enterprise remains focused on its core values of integrity, service, sustainability, and leadership. These values, instilled by the founders, continue to guide QI Group’s operations and interactions with stakeholders and the environment. It has set ambitious targets for sustainable business practices, including implementing stringent sourcing protocols and eco-friendly packaging standards.