Xia Jin Yun, a junior worker in Henan: an entrepreneurial story that started with dishcloth
Starting career from small—first order is dishcloth from Japan
Xia Jin Yun was born in a small town in Zhengyang county,Henan province in 1948.In 1968 he got a position in Zhumadian leather factory succeeded his father.after many years’s hard work,he was promoted from a junior worker in the factory to be a clerk in local government.In 1992,he resolved to start his own career.By then he was 44-year-old already,so his decision was opposed unanimously by all his relatives and friends,including his wife:”You are more than 40-years-old already,dont act blindly!once failed,our family will live on air!”.Mr Xia understand his wife’s concern and assured her:”trust me.Opportunities always coexist with risk.i will succeed finally”.
How to start?
Xia Jin Yun came to Zhengzhou,the capital of Henan province.He wants to try his fortune from provincial level foreign trading company first. no money,no factory,no experience, he was treated coldly by all staffs he met there and the most he heard is:”no order”.but he didn’t give up.one night,he followed one manager to her home asking for some orders but was refused to come inside. he kept waiting outside untill midnight in the hope that the manager would give him some opportunities as a favor.but he failed.
7 times ”To and From” Zhengzhou,won first order in life
Although he tried very hard,Xia Jinyun got no order within two months.all family relied on his wife’s little income.in May of 1992,he came to Zhengzhou for the 7th time.one manager told him:”I have one order for dishclothe by hand.if you like,we can talk details together”.Xia Jin Yun called his wife immediately and explained all details like size,style,material and etc,and pushed her to produce sample right away at home.He emphasized to her repeatedly:”samples must be sent to Zhengzhou tomorrow!”.on the next day,when Xia Jin yun forwardered the samples to the manager timely,the manager was deeply moved.she shaked hands with Xia jin yun and said:”Old xia,to speak frankly,this order is to Japan.owing to small quantity,i contacted several factories already but was refused by all of them.Your way of thinking will lead to more orders in the future.”
keep expanding since 1992
Xia Jin Yun came back to Zhumadian immediately after securing first order.He borrowed 20,000 RMB and invested 20 sets old sew machines.rented two small rooms in a primary school.hired 20 laid-off workers.Production starting now!someone joked him”too poor to make so small money”.He said:”money is earned cent by cent.no one can become fat through one meal”.
Thus Xia Jin Yun made his first pot of gold.Though it is only 3000RMB,but he walked his first step.He learns a lot from his first order:gain and lose is based on your way of thinking.in the following time,he got several more orders of dishclothe,though small,but these orders can keep his factory runing.In the begining of 1993,his small workshop expanded to 40 sets sewing machines,and staff also doubled.