– Young graduates from Zhengzhou Sias University (郑州西亚斯学院), a private undergraduate college, are achieving multimillion-dollar revenues in foreign trade, with some reaching 20-30 million RMB annually, defying traditional career paths.
– They capitalized on China’s post-pandemic export boom, using platforms like Alibaba International Station (阿里巴巴国际站) and AI tools to overcome resource limitations and build global client bases from scratch.
– Their journeys emphasize hands-on learning, patient client relationship building, and the transition from solo ‘super individuals’ to team leaders, inspired by alumnus Wang Ning (王宁), founder of Pop Mart (泡泡玛特).
– These entrepreneurs highlight how digital transformation and China’s supply chain advantages enable non-elite graduates to quietly thrive in foreign trade, mentoring the next generation in the process.
In the dynamic arena of global commerce, a new cohort of Chinese entrepreneurs is rewriting the rules of success. Far from the glittering skyscrapers of financial hubs, they hail from Zhengzhou Sias University (郑州西亚斯学院), a private undergraduate institution, and have built formidable foreign trade businesses with little more than grit and digital savvy. Li Jiale (李佳乐), He Jiakun (何佳坤), and Wang Teng (王腾)—all post-00s graduates—exemplify this trend, quietly thriving in foreign trade by leveraging China’s robust supply chain and e-commerce platforms. Their stories challenge the premium placed on elite pedigrees, proving that in today’s export-driven economy, actionable insights and relentless execution can trump traditional credentials. As China’s goods trade continues to expand, with exports growing 6.2% year-on-year in 2025, these young traders demonstrate that the path to prosperity is increasingly democratized, accessible to those willing to seize the opportunity.
The Wind of Opportunity: Riding China’s Export Wave
The post-pandemic period ignited a surge in global demand for Chinese goods, creating a fertile ground for agile newcomers. For these young entrepreneurs, timing was everything, allowing them to quietly thrive in foreign trade despite minimal experience.
Li Jiale’s Early Leap into Swim Rings
Li Jiale (李佳乐) launched his Alibaba International Station (阿里巴巴国际站) store in December 2020, focusing on affordable swim rings. With just over 40,000 RMB in startup capital borrowed from family, he prioritized learning the platform over immediate profits. His breakthrough came in March 2021, when daily inquiries jumped from zero to over 1,500, landing a 300,000 RMB order for 10,000 swim rings. He was 19 years old. This aligned with China’s record export growth of 21.4% in 2021, as per China Customs data. Li Jiale’s strategy was simple: accept all orders, even single-item sales, to build client relationships and understand market needs. By keeping profits low at around 10%, he established a foothold, demonstrating that in foreign trade, volume and trust can precede margin.
He Jiakun’s Strategic Entry in Fitness Equipment
He Jiakun (何佳坤) entered the fray later, in 2023, avoiding the earlier shipping cost volatility. With a 60,000 RMB pool from savings and loans, he targeted the fitness equipment niche for欧美 markets. Despite skepticism—like questions about heavy dumbbell shipping costs—he conducted thorough supplier audits across Henan, Guangdong, and Fujian. He also reverse-engineered 60-70 successful competitors on Alibaba International Station, mastering pricing and service nuances. His persistence paid off in November 2024 with a 50,000+ euro full-container load to Germany. He Jiakun’s case shows that even in a crowded field, meticulous research and niche selection can enable one to quietly thrive in foreign trade.
Becoming Super Individuals: The Solo Grind to Success
Before scaling, each entrepreneur mastered every aspect of their business alone, transforming into ‘super individuals’ who could handle everything from marketing to logistics. This phase was crucial for quietly thriving in foreign trade without the cushion of a team.
Li Jiale’s 24/7 Operational Marathon
In 2021, Li Jiale (李佳乐) operated solo, managing product uploads, customer service, and shipping around the clock. He adopted strict daily task lists and learned negotiation tactics through trial and error, like reusing effective sales pitches. His background helping his mother sell clothes at street stalls gave him a baseline, but he refined his approach by studying淘宝客服 techniques and adapting communication styles. For instance, he shifted from generic terms like ‘宝贝’ to using clients’ names directly, enhancing professionalism. This hands-on immersion allowed him to build a repository of client needs, which later helped him upsell related products like goggles and swimwear, fostering repeat business and higher margins.
Wang Teng’s Patient Relationship Building
Wang Teng (王腾), an English major, used a more subtle approach. Instead of hard selling, she engaged clients in daily conversations about culture, travel, and personal interests, often chatting until凌晨. This patience built rapport, with responses evolving from curt ‘thank yous’ to warm greetings before she introduced business topics. Her longest courtship lasted from Chinese New Year to November before securing an order. Wang Teng’s method highlights that in foreign trade, trust often precedes transactions, and consistent, genuine engagement can convert leads even in competitive sectors like machinery. By quietly thriving in foreign trade through empathy, she turned time into a strategic asset.
Leveraging Technology: AI as the Great Equalizer
Digital tools, especially AI, have democratized access to foreign trade, enabling these entrepreneurs to compete globally despite language barriers and limited resources. Their adoption of technology is a key reason they can quietly thrive in foreign trade.
He Jiakun’s AI-Driven Efficiency Boost
He Jiakun (何佳坤), with a高考 English score of 50, initially struggled with terms like FOB and DDP. He turned to AI voice assistants and translation tools, reducing product listing time from 8 hours to 30 seconds. He now uses a suite of AI applications: ChatGPT and Deepseek for business communication, and Midjourney for generating marketing visuals. ‘AI gave ordinary people a shortcut,’ he says. ‘It made the super individual not a privilege for the few, but a starting point for the many.’ His team integrates AI for multilingual support,文案 writing, and video creation, significantly boosting productivity while maintaining a personal touch in client interactions.
The Human-AI Balance in Quality Control
Despite AI’s prowess, critical tasks like quality inspection and logistics demand human oversight. Li Jiale (李佳乐) personally checks every shipment before Chinese New Year, handling 70-80 packages daily to avoid supplier errors, such as incorrect packaging specifications that once increased freight costs. Similarly, Wang Teng (王腾) ensures that AI-generated content aligns with brand voice, and she manually manages售后 issues to prevent small defects from escalating. This blend of technology and hands-on management ensures that while they quietly thrive in foreign trade, they don’t compromise on reliability, a lesson learned from early setbacks like unexpected退货.
Navigating Growth: The Pitfalls and Lessons of Early Success
Rapid revenue gains brought psychological challenges, teaching these entrepreneurs to stay grounded. Their ability to manage success is integral to quietly thriving in foreign trade over the long term.
The Perils of Premature Expansion
In 2022, Li Jiale (李佳乐) experienced a ‘膨胀’ phase when his liquidity exceeded 800,000 RMB. He indulged in luxury purchases and social climbing, attending high-end gatherings where he was called ‘李总’. However, he soon realized that without substantial business scale, these connections were hollow. His focus shifted from operations to networking, causing daily orders to drop to 2,000-3,000 USD. He recognized that ‘action distortion is the beginning of disaster’ and recalibrated, returning to basics like eating affordable meals and reinvesting profits. This episode underscores that quietly thriving in foreign trade requires sustained discipline, not just initial wins.
Grounding Through Reality Checks
He Jiakun (何佳坤) faced similar temptations after buying an奥迪 A6 and a 3-million-RMB apartment in 2024. His girlfriend’s blunt feedback—’you’re nowhere near that level yet’—brought him back to earth. For Wang Teng (王腾), winning a second-place award at an Alibaba International Station event in 2025 prompted self-warning against虚荣心. She reminded herself to stay冷静 amid applause. These moments of reflection helped them refocus on incremental growth, such as He Jiakun’s goal to double revenue to 60 million RMB by 2026. By managing ego, they ensure their journey to quietly thrive in foreign trade remains sustainable.
The Ecosystem of Support: School, Family, and Mentorship
Their success isn’t solely individual; it’s buoyed by a supportive environment that fosters entrepreneurship. This foundation enables them to quietly thrive in foreign trade despite non-traditional backgrounds.
Zhengzhou Sias University’s Entrepreneurial Culture
Zhengzhou Sias University (郑州西亚斯学院), alumnus of Wang Ning (王宁), cultivates a business-friendly atmosphere with on-campus ventures like快递 services and small shops. The university’s partnership with Alibaba includes a talent base that has trained over 108 students, awarding digital外贸操盘官 certificates. For Li Jiale (李佳乐), the school’s ‘European-style’ campus and international student body made global trade feel accessible. Wang Teng (王腾) was inspired through校企合作 programs, hearing about Li Jiale’s achievements. This ecosystem provides practical exposure, reducing the barrier to entry for those aiming to quietly thrive in foreign trade.
Family Backing and Role Model Influence
Initially, Wang Teng’s (王腾) father doubted her venture due to her gender, but he later assisted with English translation for clients. He Jiakun’s (何佳坤) parents, though rarely praising him directly, expressed pride through community recognition. The legacy of Wang Ning (王宁), who built Pop Mart (泡泡玛特) from a campus格子铺, serves as a motivational灯塔. Li Jiale often recalls Wang Ning’s story during tough times, feeling closer to ‘possibility.’ This blend of familial support and inspirational figures reinforces that quietly thriving in foreign trade is a collective endeavor, not a solo struggle.
Scaling Up and Paying Forward: The Next Chapter
From solo acts to team leaders, these entrepreneurs are now expanding their operations and mentoring others, proving that quietly thriving in foreign trade can evolve into impactful leadership.
Diversification and Revenue Growth
Li Jiale (李佳乐) has expanded from swim rings to wedding supplies, home gardening, and even acquired a metal factory. His revenue grew from 4 million RMB in his freshman year to nearly 30 million RMB in 2024. He Jiakun (何佳坤) reached 15 million RMB in 2024 and aims for 30 million RMB in 2025, covering 60+ countries. Wang Teng (王腾), starting later, targets 9 million RMB for 2026. Their scaling strategies include product diversification, supplier integration, and leveraging AI for efficiency, showing that the path to quietly thrive in foreign trade involves continuous adaptation and strategic reinvestment.
Mentoring the Next Generation
In 2025, Li Jiale and He Jiakun were appointed as industry mentors at their alma mater, guiding students interested in foreign trade. They incorporate ‘真心想做事’ individuals into their teams, fostering a new wave of entrepreneurs. Wang Teng focuses on professionalizing her operations, aiming to serve as a model for peers. Their willingness to share insights underscores that quietly thriving in foreign trade isn’t about hoarding secrets but about building a community. As Li Jiale puts it, ‘We’re just at the mountain’s base, now ready to climb.’
The journeys of Li Jiale (李佳乐), He Jiakun (何佳坤), and Wang Teng (王腾) reveal that success in China’s foreign trade sector is increasingly meritocratic. By combining digital tools, patient relationship-building, and lessons from early setbacks, they have carved out profitable niches without elite credentials. Their ability to quietly thrive in foreign trade stems from a blend of timing, technology, and tenacity, supported by an ecosystem that values practical execution over pedigree. For global investors and aspiring entrepreneurs, their stories offer a blueprint: leverage platforms like Alibaba International Station, embrace AI for efficiency, and prioritize long-term client trust over short-term gains. As China’s export economy evolves, the opportunity to quietly thrive in foreign trade awaits those ready to take the first step—start by exploring digital trade platforms today, and you might just find your own path to the summit.