Welcome! Today, our boss will share his inspiring entrepreneurial journey and the values behind our business.
1. Q: What motivated you to leave Hubei for Guangdong 25 years ago?
A: 25 years ago, at the age of 24, I left my hometown because low wages made it hard to live decently. With dreams in mind, I took a crowded train for over 40 hours to Guangdong, seeking a stable job.
2. Q: Before starting your business, what were your life experiences like?
A: In the 1990s, finding a job was tough. I had no experience, low education, and lacked confidence. Without a temporary residence permit, I searched for jobs by day and slept on the grass at night, living on stir-fried noodles. After a couple of weeks, I got a packing job at a small printing factory, working 11 hours a day for 450 yuan a month. It was monotonous, but I later switched to sales. Despite the challenges, I persevered and eventually increased my income significantly. By 1999, I was making over 10,000 yuan a month, which allowed me to buy a motorcycle and a phone. After three years, I left to start my own business but faced challenges with high equipment costs and low production efficiency.
3. Q: What strategies did you use to overcome declining business?
A: When business slowed, a friend in online sales told me his performance had doubled. I realized the internet was the way forward and decided to pivot my sales strategy. I met a client manager through a friend and launched an e-commerce platform, actively learning about the internet.
4. Q: What other benefits has e-commerce brought to your company?
A: As online sales grew, our product line expanded from tags and manuals to include stickers, boxes, and more, while we improved our production equipment.
5. Q: What challenges did you face during your company’s growth, and how did you handle them?
A: As competition intensified, profits in the packaging industry shrank. I optimized our supply chain, paid suppliers on time, and built trust to ensure priority access to materials.
6. Q: What drives your involvement in public welfare activities?
A: I believe that helping others grow is more meaningful than personal success. As a business owner, I feel a responsibility to give back, like providing breakfast for sanitation workers.
7. Q: How did you come to join the Lions Club?
A: A friend mentioned the Lions Club, and I initially thought it was a lion dance group. Once I learned it was a major charitable organization, I became interested. After attending a service event and seeing their impactful work, I decided to join.
8. Q: What have you gained from joining the Lions Club?
A: Joining the Lions Club provided me with valuable training in public speaking and leadership. I progressed through various roles and met many inspiring members, which deepened my understanding of love, inclusiveness, and collaboration.
Thank you for joining us! We hope his story inspires you as much as it inspires us every day.
