Executive Summary: Key Takeaways
This article delves into the rising phenomenon of Generation Z entrepreneurs from China’s private universities who are carving out lucrative careers in the foreign trade sector. Through in-depth case studies, it explores their strategies, challenges, and the broader market implications for China’s export economy.
- – Young entrepreneurs like Li Jiale (李佳乐), He Jiakun (何佳坤), and Wang Teng (王腾), graduates of Zhengzhou Sias University (郑州西亚斯学院), have achieved annual revenues reaching tens of millions of RMB by navigating the foreign trade track.
- – Leveraging digital platforms such as Alibaba International站 (阿里巴巴国际站), they started as solo operators or “super individuals,” mastering every aspect from client communication to logistics, often with minimal initial capital.
- – The post-2020 surge in China’s exports, with customs data showing over 20% growth in 2021, provided a tailwind, but their success stems from adaptability, use of AI tools, and persistent relationship-building.
- – Early success brought psychological challenges like overconfidence, but a focus on operational discipline and continuous learning helped them stabilize and scale their businesses.
- – Institutional support from educational programs and family, combined with a favorable policy environment for exports, underscores the ecosystem enabling such grassroots entrepreneurship in China.
Riding the Wave: Seizing Opportunity in a Booming Export Market
For a new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs, the foreign trade track has emerged as a viable path to prosperity, defying traditional barriers of pedigree and resources. The story begins in the early 2020s, as global disruptions and shifting supply chains created unprecedented openings. According to China’s General Administration of Customs (海关总署), 2021 saw a historic peak with goods trade imports and exports totaling 39.1 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase exceeding 20%, driven by a 21.4% surge in exports. This macroeconomic backdrop set the stage for enterprising individuals to enter the fray, often with little more than determination and a digital connection.
The Pandemic-Era Catalyst
Li Jiale (李佳乐), then a 19-year-old student at Zhengzhou Sias University, recalls the moment when orders flooded in overnight. After months of near-zero inquiries on his Alibaba International站 (阿里巴巴国际站) store, daily queries suddenly jumped to over 1,500 in early 2021. His first major deal—300,000 yuan for about 10,000 swimming rings—marked his entry into what he describes as “the wind coming.” Despite pandemic-induced factory shutdowns and soaring freight costs, China’s export machine was humming, and nimble traders could capitalize. Li’s decision to start with low-margin, niche products like swim rings allowed him to test the waters with minimal risk, a strategy echoed by peers who later joined the foreign trade track.
Timing and Tenacity
He Jiakun (何佳坤), a sports major from the same university, entered in 2023, missing the initial boom but avoiding the peak of shipping price volatility. With a 60,000-yuan startup fund, he targeted fitness equipment exports to Europe and America, betting that demand would outweigh logistical hurdles. His method involved scouting suppliers across Henan, Guangdong, and Fujian provinces, while meticulously analyzing competitors on international platforms. As he notes, “When a client speaks, I can usually tell which store they ordered from and what the pricing is.” This hands-on approach, combined with China’s sustained export growth—reaching 41 trillion yuan in the first 11 months of 2025, with a 6.2% rise in exports—showcases how timing and grit intersect on the foreign trade track.
Becoming a Super Individual: The Solo Entrepreneurship Model
In the early stages, these young founders often operated as one-person armies, handling every facet of the business. This “super individual” model, fueled by digital tools and relentless work ethic, became a cornerstone of their success on the foreign trade track. Li Jiale (李佳乐) describes a 24-hour cycle during his first year: “Editing images, uploading products, finding keywords, creating detail pages, operating accounts, chatting with clients, generating inquiries, following up on orders, arranging logistics, shipping, after-sales, and accounting—all done by me.” He maintained detailed daily task lists, sleeping only in short bursts, a testament to the demanding nature of solo navigation in global trade.
Mastering Communication and AI Integration
Effective client communication proved critical. Wang Teng (王腾), an English major, adopted a relationship-first approach, sharing daily life snippets with potential buyers for months before discussing business. Her patience paid off, with one client taking nearly a year to place an order after consistent engagement. Meanwhile, He Jiakun (何佳坤), whose English proficiency was initially limited, leveraged AI tools like ChatGPT and Deepseek to bridge gaps. “AI gave ordinary people a shortcut, making the super individual no longer a privilege for the few but a starting point for the many,” he explains. These tools now handle translations, marketing content, and even product listings in seconds, though founders emphasize that human oversight remains vital for quality control and nuanced negotiations.
Strategic Growth and Mindset Evolution
As revenues climbed, these entrepreneurs faced new challenges, including managing rapid expansion and psychological pitfalls. Navigating the foreign trade track required not just operational skills but also emotional resilience and strategic foresight.
Scaling Beyond Initial Success
Li Jiale (李佳乐) experienced a period of “swelling” in 2022 when his liquidity exceeded 800,000 yuan. Indulging in luxuries and social circles, he saw orders dip as focus shifted from core business. He realized that “when actions become distorted, it’s the beginning of disaster” and recalibrated by cutting personal expenses and reinvesting in the company. Similarly, He Jiakun (何佳坤) bought a luxury car and property after his first major deal but was grounded by his girlfriend’s reminder to stay humble. Wang Teng (王腾), upon winning an award at an Alibaba International站 (阿里巴巴国际站) event, consciously avoided vanity, focusing instead on steady growth. These anecdotes highlight how maintaining discipline is crucial when scaling on the foreign trade track.
Diversification and Team Building
Over time, founders expanded their product lines and teams. Li moved from swim rings to wedding supplies, home gardening items, and even acquired a metal factory, aiming for 30 million yuan in revenue by 2024. He Jiakun (何佳坤) grew his business to cover over 60 countries, targeting 60 million yuan in 2026. Both now mentor students at their alma mater, embodying the cycle of knowledge transfer. However, they caution against premature team expansion; as He notes, “Before systems are mature, building a team too early only amplifies trial-and-error costs.” This phased approach—starting solo, then scaling with structured processes—defines their journey on the foreign trade track.
Ecosystem Enablers: Education, Family, and Policy Support
The success of these young traders isn’t solely individual; it’s underpinned by a supportive ecosystem that includes educational institutions, family networks, and national policies favoring exports. Zhengzhou Sias University (郑州西亚斯学院), known for its entrepreneurial culture and as the alma mater of Pop Mart founder Wang Ning (王宁), played a pivotal role. The campus, with its European-style architecture and vibrant commercial zones, normalized business ventures from student-run stalls to international trade. In 2024, the university partnered with Alibaba International站 (阿里巴巴国际站) to establish a talent base, certifying over 108 students in digital foreign trade operations.
Family and Cultural Factors
Family support, though sometimes hesitant, provided emotional and practical backing. Wang Teng (王腾)’s father initially doubted her choice due to gender norms but later assisted with translation and client meetings. He Jiakun (何佳坤)’s parents rarely praised him directly, but community recognition at events like weddings reinforced his path. This blend of encouragement and realism mirrors broader cultural shifts in China, where entrepreneurship is increasingly valued alongside traditional career paths. Moreover, national policies encouraging export growth, such as tax incentives and digital trade initiatives, create a fertile ground for those navigating the foreign trade track.
Implications for China’s Economy and Global Trade
The rise of these micro-entrepreneurs signals deeper trends in China’s economic landscape. As the country pivots towards high-quality growth and digital transformation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are becoming key drivers of export resilience. Their stories illustrate how digital platforms can democratize access to global markets, reducing barriers for non-elite graduates. For international investors and business professionals, this underscores opportunities in China’s consumer goods, manufacturing, and e-commerce sectors, particularly as these young traders expand into higher-value products and cross-border logistics.
Data Insights and Future Outlook
Customs statistics reveal sustained export momentum, with 2025 projections indicating robust trade volumes. Entrepreneurs like Li and He attribute their growth to leveraging data analytics on platforms like Alibaba International站 (阿里巴巴国际站), which provide real-time market insights. Looking ahead, they aim to integrate more advanced technologies, such as AI-driven supply chain management, to enhance efficiency. As Wang Teng (王腾) sets a 2026 revenue target of 9 million yuan, she emphasizes “enduring the unprofessional nodes to move toward a more professional state.” This forward-looking mindset, coupled with institutional support, suggests that navigating the foreign trade track will remain a viable avenue for China’s youth, potentially influencing stock market sentiments around trade-focused SMEs.
Key Lessons and a Call to Action for Aspiring Traders
The journeys of Li Jiale (李佳乐), He Jiakun (何佳坤), and Wang Teng (王腾) offer actionable insights for anyone looking to enter the global trade arena. First, start small with low-risk products to build foundational knowledge. Second, embrace the super individual model initially, utilizing AI tools to augment capabilities. Third, prioritize long-term client relationships over short-term profits, as repeat business drives sustainable growth. Fourth, maintain humility and operational focus amidst success to avoid pitfalls. Finally, leverage available ecosystems, from university programs to digital platforms, to accelerate learning and networking.
For investors and corporate executives, these cases highlight the resilience and innovation within China’s grassroots entrepreneurial sector. Monitoring such trends can inform strategies in equity markets, particularly for companies exposed to e-commerce and export logistics. As China continues to champion its dual circulation strategy, the foreign trade track represents a microcosm of broader economic dynamism. We encourage readers to explore related resources, such as Alibaba International站’s trade reports or China Customs’ official data, to deepen their understanding. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, the lesson is clear: in today’s interconnected world, seizing opportunities on the foreign trade track requires not just capital, but creativity, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt.