Posts in China
Ep 32 - What We Find SCARIEST About Scaling A Business

What happens as your business grows to the next level? Rico and ChinaMike talk about what to look out for as business expands and how to manage the growth.

Topics Include:

  • Scaling a business
     
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
     
  • Working for Abercrombie & Fitch
     
  • Avoiding negative output when hiring staff
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Ep 31 - Meeting Two New Friends A Week w/ Heather Shuster olliworld.com

In one of my (Rico) favourite episodes I sat down with Co-Founder of Olli and Enter China member Heather Shuster (also known as Indiana Jones in the community) about her journey sourcing from Sri Lanka and manufacturing fair trade rubber footwear in China:

Topics Incl:

  • Her journey to China
     
  • Why she chose to go out searching rubber plantations in Sri Lanka
     
  • Being called "Mr. Shuster"
     
  • Making the decision to meet two new friends a week for self-improvement
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Ep 30 - International Business Payments Using Bitcoin? w/ Neil Woodfine COO @ Remitsy.com

In this episode we had the pleasure of talking to Neil Woodfine COO of Remitsy. His Fintech startup processes international payment into China (at the moment) through Bitcoin. Which allows for faster and cheaper transactions than your typical international wire transfer.

Topics Incl:

  • What Bitcoin and Blockchain tech is and how it's going to affect the future.
     
  • How you can save money on international payments through Remitsy's service.
     
  • Why YOUR banks are trying to adopt the blockchain technology ASAP.
     
  • How convoluted the traditional SWIFT network (wire transfer) system is.
     
  • The biggest misconceptions behind Bitcoin, Blockchain tech and cryptocurrencies in general.
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Ep 29 - Quality Control 101 in China Manufacturing w/ Renaud Anjoran (SofEast.com)

After a bit of a hiatus we're back with a strong episode! We spoke to Renaud Anjoran owner operator of SofEast.com a quality control inspection company in Southern China.

Topics Incl:

  • The most common misconceptions about quality control
     
  • Can you trust your supplier's internal QC department?
     
  • What the hell are Acceptable Quality Control Limit Levels?
     
  • Prevention methods for quality control
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Ep 28 - Footwear Design, Dealing with China Remotely & High Volume (w/ Ryan Flynn)

This week's episode was a first! We got the chance to interview a fan of the podcast, he reached to us via email, Rico met him for drinks in the Guangzhou IFC Tower and now he's guest on the show. His name is Ryan Flynn, he's a designer in NYC, who works for a multi-national sportswear brand as their Design Director - specifically in their athletic footwear department. 

Topics Discussed Incl:

  • When working with Chinese trading companies is actually the best option for you
     
  • What happens when your factory switches out materials on you
     
  • Dealing with China remotely
     
  • Ensuring you get the best out of your designs when certain materials are expensive
     
  • How he gets high volume orders done with insane time contraints
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Ep 27 - How to Avoid the Dreaded "China Day"

In this short episode ChinaMike & Rico talked about the routines and methods they use to avoid the dreaded "China Day." If you don't know what a "China Day" is, well listen to the episode and found out...

Topics Inc.

  • Setting Up A Routine
     
  • Perspective on the Culture Around You
     
  • Cultivating a Positive Mindset
     
  • Doing Your Research
     
  • Making Local Friend
     
  • Utilizing Local Resources
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China, LifestyleRicoComment
Ep 25 - Dating in China at 30 - With Chilli (Part 2)

Rico had the opportunity to interview Chilli, his ex manager from his English teaching days on being female, 30 and single in China.  This is part 2 of a 3 part episode. We went in deep on marriage on this week!

Topics Incl:

  • Why it's normal for the husband to give his entire salary to his wife
     
  • Chili's friends telling her to date a "hot foreigner" because her English is so good!
     
  • The disadvantages of dating or marrying a someone
     
  • Picking sides between your significant other and your parents
     
  • What you owe your parents if they help you buy a house?
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Ep 24 - A 6 Month of Review of The Podcast

In this short but sweet episode ChinaMike and Rico broke down their favourite Made in China Podcast episodes from the first 6 months of podcast (at the time of the recording).

All podcast episodes mentioned are listed in the resources.

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Ep 22 - (Bonus Episode) The Canton Fair - How To Maximize Your Visit

In another short and packed bonus episode ChinaMike & Rico broke down some gems and a few hacks to help you maximize your Canton Fair visit.

Tips include:

  • How to easily register, avoid lining up with 1,000s of people and get your badge
     
  • Accommodation tips you won't find from a Google search
     
  • Some of the best places to eat and meet foreigners and locals
     
  • Why you shouldn't take a quote you get at the fair at face value
     
  • The best ways to come across as sourcing pro when communicating with suppliers
     
  • What type of suppliers to expect and which phase is best for you
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Ep 21 - Dating in China at 30 - With Chilli (Part 1)

Rico had the opportunity to interview Chilli, his ex manager from his English teaching days on being female, 30 and single in China.  This is part 1 of a 3 part episode.

Topics Incl:

  • The pressure being the an only child in China puts on you to appease your parents
     
  • How society perceives a woman who's 30 and single as mentally disturbed
     
  • Jennifer Aniston...
     
  • Short term benefits vs long term negatives of buckling to the pressure
     
  • Why Chilli goes against the grain
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Ep 20 - (Bonus Episode) 7 Lessons Learned About Living in China

In this short bonus episode Rico and ChinaMike broke down lessons they've learned about living in China. Topics Discussed Incl:

  • How damn difficult it is to live a healthy life
     
  • Why you can get distracted or complacent
     
  • People are just people
     
  • Just try it!
     
  • Persistence is key
     
  • The USA is not the shit (people are just people)
     
  • Always bring headphones
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Ep 19 - Inside Rico's Private Weekly Mastermind/Accountability Group "NO.X 3.0" (No Excuses)

This week Rico takes you into one of his private weekly mastermind/accountability meetings aptly named NO.X (No Excuses).  These weekly meetings are designed to keep members accountable for defining and completing weekly goals with a view of reaching your more ambitious long-term goals one step at a time.

Topics in the meeting incl:

  • The two automation apps that will absolutely change your life and business
     
  • Learning how to read 2 books a week almost effortlessly
     
  • Spending $15 on Facebook ads to achieve 1000s of viewers
     
  • The mechanics of an online business aimed at Chinese consumers
     
  • Setting up LinkedIn and Facebook Sales Funnels
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Ep 17 - A Podcast About Our Favourite Podcasts

In our least formal episode yet! Rico and ChinaMike chopped it up about their favourite podcasts and why you should listen to them. Podcasts have been extremely beneficial in the lives of our hosts and continue to simultaneously be their main forms of entertainment and education.

Episode talking points include:

  • Being one of the key factors that brought them together to form Source Find Asia
     
  • How The Joe Rogan Experience helped ChinaMike get through rough periods in China
     
  • Why ChinaMike has beef with Neal Brennan
     
  • The podcast that gave Rico vital business strategies he implemented into SFA
     
  • How podcasts can keep an entrepreneur motivated during their journey
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China, BusinessRicoComment
Ep 15 - Wildball, How ChinaMike Makes Bank with Basketball in China

In the episode we focus on ChinaMike's love and history playing semi-pro ball in China, also known as "Wildball." He waxed lyrical on topics such as:

  • Not knowing people were getting paid off of his playing time, while he played for fun
     
  • The key differences between basketball in the Wild Wild East & the U.S.
     
  • How to identify sleazy agents that will sell you a dream and give you a nightmare
     
  • Which basketball players from the West succeed, which players fail and why
     
  • What happens when someone who's never been outside of the US, finds themselves playing in front of 10,000 screaming fans, in the most remote villages of China
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