ZHANG XIN; AN AMAZING SUCCESS STORY FROM ASIA.
The Characteristics of a successful entrepreneur
What sets successful entrepreneurs apart from average entrepreneurs? What is it that makes a real difference? In parenthood, top sport, politics or business for that matter. One of the keys to REAL success has to be drive; having a strong desire for success or achievement. The success story of Zhang Xin is a fantastic example of a person who is changing the world by this important and vital characteristic.
When Zhang Xin was 14, she lived in a firetrap Hong Kong slum and toiled in grimy factories stitching shoes and clothes and assembling toys. She dreamed of getting an office job, learning English, and studying in Britain. Today, at 39, Zhang has done all that — and more. Thanks to hard work, she studied at Sussex University and got a master’s degree in development economics at Cambridge. Then Wall Street beckoned, and she worked as an analyst in New York at ING Barings and Goldman, Sachs & Co
Now Zhang is back in China, pursuing an entirely new career: real estate. Her privately held Beijing company, which pulled in revenues of $405 million last year, is called SOHO China Ltd.
SOHO is an acronym for “small office, home office,” and most of its projects are residential and commercial developments for the upper middle class. The rapid rise in small Internet-based companies gave her and husband an idea for combined living and working spaces.
Zhang became the first non-architect to receive an award at the Venice Biennale, for her “bold personal initiative.”I don’t come from an ivory tower background,” she adds. “In many ways, that makes you much tougher in executing your plans.” As tough as any of China’s up-from-the bottom entrepreneurs.
Check out the continuous dedication and future plans despite the economic downturn:
In a larger sense, Zhang represents the new breed of Chinese entrepreneurs, who were born in China, were educated in the prestigious universities in the west and were trained in business and management in leading American and European companies before returning home. Zhang is forward looking, self confident and business savvy. Most of all Zhang is a calculated risk taker and is ENORMOULSY driven. Zhang is an example of the new dynamos in China’s Economy.
With less ambition or business acumen, Zhang might have well ended up in an office on Wall St. What makes her stand out is her enormous drive to make a difference, her awareness and vision for the coming of age of her homeland. As Zhang puts it:”Revitalizing Beijing’s street culture is my job”
With gratitude for Zhang Xin for setting an example for what is possible.
Paul Mantel - http://www.livelifeco.com