I am back in Beijing so that I can find a job in Hong Kong. How is that for a stretch? But what I love is the people you meet.
On a recent escapade to an Australian-Chinese networking drinks function in Beijing’s swankier quarters in Sanlitun (famous for its vibrant expatriate community), I was fortunate enough to meet a successful entrepreneur who invited a few of us back to his abode for a quieter chat.
Entering through the faux Qing dynasty gates manned by two lions, we were immediately hit by the nouveau-riche style and its imitation of the old Chinese residences. Walking through it we entered the apartment complex, which was manned by a single smiling concierge.
We exited the elevator on the eighth floor to find his shoe collection spread before us. An entire floor, one apartment.
Beyond his modernist artwork collection and the personal photos with politicians, among his other proud collections, was his advice to us: “If you want to work, live a comfortable, stable life, go back to Australia, to Hong Kong. You can raise a family there. Get set up for life.”
We nodded over the coffee table, listening to the deep humming and drum beats coming from his ground to ceiling speakers.
“Stay in China if you want to do business. The first five years will be tough – 90 percent of people leave after two or three years,” he said. This was totally believable after experiencing the harsh winter and now, the humid, windy, dust storms raging every few days across the city as it approaches summer.
“Here, you find your interest and begin working from the bottom. The most important is build your network, build your friends.” He paused, then continued, “First build your friends, then build your business. When you have friends, as long your idea is well thought out, money will come. In Australia, you need three to four million to start. Here all you need are friends.”
He meant friends in high places. This man had clearly succeeded at that game and personally experienced the hardships of playing that networking game. But where I used to see people like him as role models, now I am not so sure. I admire his guts, his willingness to commit and take risks, but his material achievements are no longer as alluring to me. I guess the envy is no longer there. What I find myself drawn to is his character, his tenacity, and his fallacies.
He continued, “I’ll give you an example. A doorman at an expensive expat apartment complex starts getting requests from these expats who need to buy things but don’t know about where to go. They ask him and he buys it for them – they always give him a generous tip after. After a few months, he thinks for a bit, then he gets a few people working for him. Now his container warehouse is on the outskirts of Beijing, sending packages across China- bigger than a football field.”
I’m still digesting all the advice I received from different people, but his is certainly worth thinking about. But I still can’t help reflecting back on that doorman story now – I wonder if the doorman still gets the same kick out of it as he did when his clients slipped him a hundred dollar bill and a pat on the back for his help.