Made in China Podcast: International Business | Crowdfunding | Entrepreneurship

In this week’s Video Cast, We sit down with Iris to talk about Neat HK, an Online Bank Service aimed to offer small businesses and startups the right technology to make life easier. Iris, who is now Head of Marketing Department was the First Employee of Neat, She shares us stories about the progression of the Company from it’s beginnings and later on Explains the Different platforms that neat has to Offer.

Topics incl:

Coming from a Finance Background

The Appeal of joining Neat

The HK Banking System still behind compared to Europe

Neat's Demographic

The early challenges opening an Online Banking System in HK

Partnering with other Banks

Digitizing to minimize cost

Neat's Application Process

Company's challenges in the beginning

Neat Personal Account and Business Account

Multi Currency Account

Expansion Plan in China

China's Withdrawal Limit

Neat's Technical Support Team

Customers visiting the Office to check if they are Real

In this last part of our 3 hour long special podcast, Bryan and Rico Broke Down the workflow even further up to the 3rd production run. An episode that can help bring knowledge of what to expect when Sourcing for an Original Design. It was a Unique Experience especially having to produce 5 existing toys and simultaneously designing another 4 more. We will also get to know what advantages there are when Coming to China vs Working Remotely.

Topics incl:

Implementing QC

Being Detailed but not too specific on Instructions

Having a toy facing the wrong way

F.R.I -Final Random Inspection

Translating Western English "Idioms" to Chinese English

Designing a new toy after BIG HEX

The Difference of manufacturing a new toy vs Big Hex

When Factory Increase Per unit Cost

How The relationship Progessed Between ProdigyGame and SFA as they were growing respectively.

Coming to China for the First Time after Working remotely for 2 years

The progress of Prodigygame during the 2 year process of Manufacturing

Revenue from Toys Vs Revenue from Softwares

Observation on SFA during the 2 1/2 years as it Grew.

Continuing on the Podcast, We have the 2nd of 3 episodes with Bryan Paratian who was Lead Hardware Developer of ProdigyGame, An Educational Technology Company, which so happened to be the company that baptized Rico as his first Clients. Here they revisit their initial experiences that came with challenges they had to endure in order to have an Original Design Successfully Manufactured. On this sequel, they broke down the work flow of the process that took 6 months to a year for “BIG HEX’s” completion.

Topics incl:

The issue with the team they were working with before finding the right personnel.

The problems with the first molding

Reaction to Kids Reviewing Big Hex on Youtube

Having the manufacturer guide you on the Financial and Quality Side

THE RELIEF of releasing BIG HEX after a year then manufacturing 4 more toys later.

Customer Lifetime Value

The Workflow of the Process, From it’s beginning to it’s end

Don't ignore the packaging!

Having the contract written in Chinese and English

Preproduction Development

The Chinese way of business Comparing to North America

Negotiation; the most intense process

Revising the production

Proceeding with the 2nd batch

Hiring a QC Team

This week on the Podcast, We have the 1st of 3 episodes with Bryan Paratian who was Lead Hardware Developer of ProdigyGame, An Educational Technology Company, which so happened to be the company that baptized Rico as his first Clients. Here they revisit their initial experiences that came with challenges they had to endure in order to have an Original Design Successfully Manufactured.

Topics incl:

Changing Roles at ProdigyGame

Using Stress Sensors to Evaluate Gaming Experience

Hiring Freelance 3d artist on Behance

Sourcing from Alibaba

Finding the right suppliers

Data Science to help with analysis

Deciding to get help from Rico

Screening a company online is not enough

What SFA brought to the table

MOLDING Failed

In This Video Cast Episode, Rico sits down with Felipe Arias, who mainly deals with Fashion and started his entrepreneurship in China since he was 19. Here he goes in depth about Fast Fashion, sourcing from different Regions and the tricks of the trade in the Fashion world.

Topics incl:

Felipe's Beginning as an Young Entrepreneur

The learning process provided by China

The Mom's Influence on his Entrepreneur Blood

Fashion is not Something that you go to school and learn about. "Identifying the End Consumer"

Knowing the Regional Taste for Women

Early Mistakes and the Recovery after

Patience is a trait you need to run a business.

Building a team in China: Providing a good working environment

Being prepared for whats coming

Be Updated with the Technology of production

Welcoming in our Podcast is Mark Ramos, A Veteran FBA Amazon and Internet marketer. Here he chats with Rico, who he will be collaborating with in Future Projects. Talks about his experience living in Guangzhou before it emerged to what it is now and how he loves being the guy behind the scenes organizing business seminars and networking events.

Topics incl:

Coming to China

The Emergence of Internet Marketing

Guangzhou, China in 2006

Introducing the concept of Internet Marketing to Chinese Clients and Factories at the Beginning

China's Control of the Internet

Maintaining Success

Selling in Amazon Then vs Now; Amazon Explosion on 2016

"Finding your focus as an entrepreneur"

Having a Chinese business partner and The strategy of presenting to clients as a foreigner

Consulting; Being in the country and present to the Factories is a benefit when sourcing

Networking in the Seminars

Build a Brand and an Audience First

Online Courses: Are they necessary for your business growth?

Black Cat Tactics that Chinese sellers employ

Having membership and maintaining monthly continuity

Future Plans for his Business in China

Bringing back Cross Border Summit in Guanzhou

Being Behind the Scenes

10 years in Guangzhou, Observation of Influx of Entrepreneurship

In this Episode Rico caught up with Michael Michelini, who you know from China Business Cast, Global From Asia and the Organizer of Cross Border Summit. A Dadpreneur, He now lives in Chiangmai and he shares the experience of living in a more relaxed environment compared to China’s Hustle and Bustle Life, Letting Go of China Business Cast and Transitioning to life in Chiangmai especially now that his children made an impact with his priorities and approach to life. Enjoy the episode.

Topics incl:

Selling China Business Cast

Finding a Replacement and Listeners Reaction

Life in Chiangmai, Level of Entrepreneurship compared to China

Family Life

Meet Ups in Chiangmai

Manila Vs Chiangmai

Education, A priority and a Factor in Choosing where you live

Cross Border Summit Columbia

Shenzen

Doing the Youtube, Podcast and Blogging

In this Video Cast, Rico welcomes back Carl Nickel, An Entrepreneur who has gone through challenges with his Business Opportunities while in China. He continues his persistence and advices to find what you are passionate about so that you may always have the motivation to continue finding success despite the hurdles and obstacles you have to endure to get to the top.

Topics incl:

Teaching English in China

Working in an Oil Company

Why you should Do what you are passionate about

Managing Waste technology

Doing Business with Taiwan's President

Investors and gathering the team

Group Disbanding and investors pulling out

Joining his Dad's business upon coming back

Working 14 hours 7 days a week a way of life in China

Kung Hei Fat Choy! Chinese New Year in China is a Time where everything goes on a Break. In this Episode, Our Boys Rico and ChinaMike shares what they did during the Holiday. Rico spent his work Vacation in Manila, While Mike Traveled with his China Wild Ball Tour to different villages to provide basketball entertainment to celebrate the festivities.

Topics incl:

The Feeling of Coming back to China after a long Vacation in Manila

The Type of entrepreneurs in Manila

Party life in Manila, 1/10 the expenses in HK

President Duterte and the Drug Situation

Manila's Bad Traffic and Island Time

China Wildball Basketball Tour

Travelling Situations to the Villages on the last Minute

Locals awkwardly following the Basketball Players