How do you View China’s Growth? How Many Hours do you Work Daily?
Dwelling thoughtfully inside the millennial mind of Chinese, while merely asking the entrepreneurs at WeWork in Beijing.
The original article “Inside the mind of millennial” is a part of the WORK MILL with Forbes JAPAN Issue 3 — The Age of Post-Innovation ©WORK MILL, published on October 2, 2018
Han Lee
Company name: SANLIPOP
Position: Co-Founder & Menswear Buyer
Major: Fashion management
Age: 35
1-What does your company do?
We manage shops that sell fashion and lifestyle items. We also distribute information worldwide.
2-Who do you respect?
Steve Jobs
3-How many hours do you work daily?
8 to 10 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
Efficiency
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
I believe the US fulfills the role of the “world’s policeman,” both geographically and economically. Some might deny it, but I don’t think any other country could take its place. Japan is a beautiful country. It has core values and aesthetics. From a business perspective, it did great until the beginning of the 90s, but it’s losing its appeal in the global market.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
There are lots of opinions-both positive and negative. But what we need to focus on in China now is how to cultivate innovation, entrepreneurial mentality, and the communities of places like WeWork.
Sarah Keenlyside
Company name: Bespoke Travel Company
Position: Founder & CEO
Major: British and American literature, journalism
Age: 35
1-What does your company do?
We offer customized travel plans for people with intellectual interest about their travel destinations. When I first started living in China, people kept asking me where to stay, where to eat, and what to visit. The only things they could turn to were guidebooks and tours.
2-Who do you respect?
Steve Jobs
3-How many hours do you work daily?
8 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
The happiness of my users, staff, and clients
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
The US isn’t exactly a charming place right now politically, but I doubt that will change the people’s creativity or the country itself. Japan’s foods and cleanliness are amazing! You could say that it lacks flexibility, but I’m excited about its future.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
I moved to China from the UK 13 years ago, and I’ve witnessed tremendous changes. Especially during these past 2 years. I think it’s a good thing that there are more economically prosperous people now.
Haoran Wang
Company name: HOB CREATIVE COMPANY
Position: CEO
Major: Commerce, economics
Age: 32
1-What does your company do?
Our company does interior design branding, hosts exhibitions for graphic designs, etc., and develops web designs and apps.
2-Who do you respect?
Phil Knight
3-How many hours do you work daily?
10 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
To concentrate
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
The US is advanced in many areas-economics, science, education, everything. Japan seems to me like a polite country.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
I believe it’s a very good thing for entrepreneurs. The reason China is growing so rapidly is that it has one of the largest industries in the world and because national policies are ratified and adopted very quickly. The economy as a whole is growing, and so the ecosystem around us entrepreneurs is maturing. Thanks to the benefits provided by the Chinese government towards entrepreneurs, we are blessed with a lot of opportunities.
Shi Jian
Company name: HonestNode
Position: CEO
Major: Computer science
Age: 31
1-What does your company do?
We develop a distributed digital transaction platform to introduce conventional financial products of the financial industry to the digital currency field and provide tools to help invest more easily. As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve started up a number of companies, but blockchains and fintech are the hottest areas now.
2-Who do you respect?
Steve Jobs, Elon Musk
3-How many hours do you work daily?
15 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
To accomplish something and make a difference in the world
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
The US has its problems like national security and trade protectionism, but it has Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, New York, etc., so it’s still the world’s most competitive place. Japan’s interesting cultures and polite people are attractive. I think it’s an advanced country.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
It’s good for entrepreneurs. To have competition in many industries is a positive thing. But we do need to recognize the potential risks.
Huang Tong Tony
Company name: Tongde Antrock Holdings
Position: Co-Founder
Major: Economics, management, finance
Age: 35
1-What does your company do?
An investment firm specializing in investments in the global stage and M&A of small and medium-sized companies.
2-Who do you respect?
Warren Buffet
3-How many hours do you work daily?
11 to 12 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
To be action-oriented and have a strong will
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
I think of the US as a leading global power, a strong nation. After World War 2, Japan recovered quickly and became a big economic country along with China. Japan has a lot of leading companies. It has a culture that’s been refined over a long history, and its landscapes, foods, and crafts are amazing.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
China’s economy is facing a dramatic change after resolving to reform its fiscal and financial policies in a way that could affect trades in the international stock and real estate market. But China’s entrepreneurs are strong-willed and passionate. The domestic market is the world’s largest, too, so even though the GDP growth may slow down, the economy will continue to grow.
Liu Jin Xing
Company name: Tianjin Pet Dimension Sales
Position: CEO
Major: Marketing
Age: 34
1-What does your company do?
We manufacture pet foods that use transparently produced ingredients, have safe processing methods, and are environment-friendly. Pet lovers love it. The pets we live with are like family. They warm our hearts. We work for the happiness of pet owners.
2-Who do you respect?
Steve Jobs
3-How many hours do you work daily?
12 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
I’m 34, so raising a warm family is just as important to me as getting results and feeling successful.
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
The US is the world’s entertainment and cultural center, but in many areas, the merits to try and be innovative in America are diminishing. Japan has a unique sense of beauty and delicacy and has an advanced industry.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
Not long ago, the general public thought of entrepreneurs as peculiar people. But now, we have a lot more opportunities.
Yibo Zhao
Company name: Facepower Asset Chain
Position: Co-Founder
Major: Science
Age: 26
1-What does your company do?
Using blockchain technology, we build an open and transparent ecosystem to raise global influencers and creators. Currently, it’s an oligopolistic market for the sellers, and there’s no platform for them to connect with agencies.
2-Who do you respect?
Masayoshi Son
3-How many hours do you work daily?
12 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
My team. It’s more important than anything.
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
I spent my university years in the US, so it’s like a second home for me. It’s a great country with an open, free, and inclusive mindset. I love Japan, too. I have a 5-year visa, so I visit at least twice a year. It has one of the most amazing cultures in the world.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
I believe China’s economic growth is being boosted by its many technology-based startups. But we have to become even stronger than we are now.
Jiliang Ma
Company name: Extan Future Technology
Position: Founder & CEO
Major: Industrial system engineering, applied mathematics
Age: 29
1-What does your company do?
We offer services focused on family healthcare such as in-home care. Our first product, Modoo, is a smartphone app that monitors the health of a fetus using sonics that was developed in-house. Pregnancy is supposed to make people feel joy. I hope our app can rid people of their fears, reassure them, and give them confidence.
2-Who do you respect?
Elon Musk, Eric Schmidt
3-How many hours do you work daily?
12 to 14 hours
4-What is most important to you when working?
Efficiency, communication
5-What do you think about the US/Japan?
The good thing about the US is its continuous creativity and positive drive. The bad thing is its rigidly restricted market and the people’s arrogance. The good thing about Japan is its unique culture, the way they follow rules and respect others, and their flexible creativity. The bad thing is a lack of awareness concerning change.
6-How do you view China’s growth?
Rapid development can hide fundamental problems and risks, but can’t solve them. We’re at a point where the bubble could burst at any moment now.
