Description:
Rico talks about how conscious are they when choosing their Outro Music in the early days of Made in China Podcast. In this bonus episode, they talk about how relevant it is to them and how would you understand them through music.
Music in the Podcast:
Middle Feat. Bipolar Sunshine by DJ Snake
Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun
Paradise Lost by Rick Ross
Kick Push by Lupe Fiasco
Read MoreRico talks about how conscious are they when choosing their Outro Music in the early days of Made in China Podcast. In this bonus episode, they talk about how relevant it is to them and how would you understand them through music.
Music in the Podcast:
Work feat. Drake by Rihanna
Say Whatchu Want by Zein BassFlexx
Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
Read MoreDescription:
With her book releasing, Rico chats with Nicole Webb, author of the “China Blonde.” In this episode, they talk about the story behind the book, moving to a foreign country with no one but her family, and her sheer persistence to get to the life she wanted.
Important Notes:
- Moving out from New Zealand to Hong Kong, raising a kid in Hong Kong
- How amazing the landscape and culture in Hong Kong, moving to Xi’an
- Their first encounter on Cross Border Summit as an emcee
- Starting a blog, being a journalist and the voice of her blog, and monetizing it
- The story behind her book, “China Blonde”
- The language barrier she encountered in Hong Kong
- The contrast between Mainland China and Hong Kong
- Interviewing locals and expats on the start of her blog and book
- Difference between writing for journalism and writing a book
Read MoreDescription:
Rico talks about how conscious they are when choosing their Outro Music in the early days of Made in China Podcast. In this bonus episode, he talks about how relevant it is to them and how you would understand them through music.
Music in the Podcast:
7 Days by Craig David
Successful by Drake (feat. Trey Songz & Lil Wayne)
Shumaya by Dbn Nyts (feat. Zinhle Mgidi & Trade Mark)
Description: Manila is back on lockdown and Rico sits down and shares his thoughts on the Sourcing climate. Tune in to know what are his thoughts and make sure to share this if you can relate.
Important Notes:
How is sourcing done by then?
The “Anti-China” Sentiment/Stigma Globally
Getting Online presence to attract customers
Location-based Sourcing Company pros and cons
Shipping is still a nightmare
Watch out for surprise Customs inspection in China or other parts of the world
What then for Sourcing in 2020 and beyond
Description:
As mentioned in this episode, similar to the 2008 recession, a lot of products or businesses will be launched after the pandemic. If you are one of the people forced to work from home or work online, this is the best time to think about launching a business/product. Tune in to this episode to know more.
Important Notes:
- Being location-independent, being a Brand Marketer, Starting a career from producing videos to E-Commerce
- Creating your own Brand rather than selling on Amazon, their Million-Dollar Product from Kickstarter
- Trying out the Digital Nomad lifestyle, living in Asia, Being an Amazon FBA Guru
- Struggles in Launching a Crowdfunding, Infringement in their first Brand of Silicone Rings
- A solid launch strategy doesn’t guarantee success, losing lots of money on multiple products they launched
- The Crowdfunding Climate: Then and Now, 2016 was the Golden year to launch a crowdfunding
- The Pandemic forcing people to work at home, and launch a commerce product
- Misconceptions in Crowdfunding, Pros, and Cons of Crowdfunding Platforms
- Personal Life struggles during the pandemic
Read MoreRico talks about how conscious are they when choosing their Outro Music in the early days of Made in China Podcast. In this bonus episode, they talk about how relevant it is to them and how would you understand them through music.
Music in the Podcast:
Around the World by Daft Punk
Grown Up by Danny Brown
Miss U (Jai Wolf Remix) by Kitty
Read MoreRico sits down and reflects on the decisions that he made, and the things that worked out after making those decisions. He also talks about his experiences in the Philippines during the lockdown and the importance of investing in Mental Health.
- Investing in Mental Health, Shifting to relevant Focal Points
- Doing multiple things at the same time can slow you down
- Making the effort to change, focusing on Health and Wealth
- Sacrificing friendships to focus on health and wealth
- A lot of foreigners leaving China because of political and personal reasons
- Hanging out with other Entrepreneurs, surrounding myself with like-minded people
- Being stuck on lockdown in the Philippines, moving to my Apartment right before lockdown
- Compartmentalizing aspects of my business and personal life
Read MoreRico talks about how conscious are they when choosing their Outro Music in the early days of Made in China Podcast. In this bonus episode, he talks about how relevant it is to them and how you would understand them through music.
Music in the Podcast:
Know Yourself by Drake
Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2 by Drake
Desire (Gryffin Remix) by Years & Years
HiiiPoWer by Kendrick Lamar
Read MoreRico got to sit down with Eric Yang, Founder, and CEO of Lead Next Gen Summit. In this episode, they talk about China’s history of power, Starting from nothing, and why he thinks college is not for Entrepreneurs.
Episode Notes:
Moving to the West to pursue his Entrepreneurial dream, Living Like a King/Queen inexpensively
Entrepreneurial Scene in Asia compared to the West, Diversity in a company
China’s Land banking in the 20th century, China’s investments and deals with other countries
Existential crisis of the youth today, the difference in Mentality in the youth in China
Eric Yang’s “Fuck College” podcast, dropping out of college
Why school is not for Entrepreneurs, growing your network while you’re in college
Finding Mentors and Personalities that who you want to be like
Starting the Virtual Summit Business, Failing his book to start the virtual summit business
Virtual summits as a way to grow your email list and generate leads
Repurposing the content of Virtual Summit, reaching out for speakers and sponsors
Rico and ChinaMike about how conscious are they when choosing their Outro Music in the early days of Made in China Podcast. In this bonus episode, they talk about how relevant it is to them and how would you understand them through music.
Music in the Podcast:
Murals by Lupe Fiasco
I Wonder by Kanye West
I Got U feat. Jax Jones by Duke Dumont
Read MoreRico got to sit down with Debbie Arcangeles, Founder and CEO of The Offbeat Life. In this episode, they talk about growing up as an Immigrant in the West, Filipino Culture in General, and Create a living off of what you want to do.
Episode Notes:
Debbie on Digital Nomads, Difference between a Digital Nomad and a Location-Independent Entrepreneur
Growing up with hardworking parents and as immigrants, Filipino Expectations for their Family being Nurses
Working on 9 to 5 jobs to being an Entrepreneur, Dealing with Panic Attacks for several years
Starting a Podcast and quitting a 9-5 job, scaling the podcast and starting to earn from it
Creating a system to your business, the right mentality to implement on a business
Importance of getting people on board, and the consequences of doing the business all by yourself
Getting sponsorships quickly, getting on other people’s podcast for Marketing, getting featured in big Publications
Being a female Entrepreneur in the West, Females of being the head of the household
Rico sits down and reflects on the decisions that he made, and the things that worked out after making those decisions. He also talks about believing in Karma, the current situation in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, moving to the Philippines right before it went on lockdown, and more.
Episode Notes:
Moving to the Philippines during the pandemic, saying no to parties, catching on sleep
Setting up a remote business, putting up systems for your business, empowering employees
Dealing with an employee on the brink of leaving, pushing the business in the right direction
Communicational barriers from a cultural standpoint, leaving China
Productivity levels when outside the office, making employees feel family or partner of the business
Testing out the remote work systems in the company, adjusting to different time zones
Communication channels for remote systems, developing Standard Operating Procedures
As part of the Interview questions for MarketWatch’s Founder Spotlight, Rico shares his thoughts about where things are headed in the Next 5 Years.
Episode Notes:
Covid-19 caused a big shift to where things are headed
His canceled travel plans for Network Expansion
Strengthening SFA’s Services
Approach in Marketing
Building partnerships, and a whole ecosystem of network
Transitioning to a Knowledge-base company
In this mini-podcast episode, Rico talks about what would he have told himself when he was just starting. Based on what he knows now, he would have told himself the following:
- Build more relationships with factories
- Spend more time with the business partners and factory owners
- Get their perspective, get their insight about the project
- Respect the ability you have overtime
- Respect the value you give
- Pick better clients
Read MoreIn this episode, Rico appears on the 90-day FBA hosted by Riley Bennet, founder of Amazing Marketing Co. (an Amazon Marketing Company), and host of a travel blog called Livin’ That Life. Here he presents the 4 Steps to Find Quality Suppliers in China.
Episode notes:
Searching for Suppliers, Assessing Quality, Finalizing your order, Elevating your relationship
How to spot a trading company from a factory, Communicating to Chinese Factories
Dealing with non-English speaking Chinese staff, asking relevant questions point-blank
Charging or paying in RMB or USD, Applying for Import/Export License, Shipment best practices
Consolidating samples from different suppliers, Setting up contracts for OEM and ODM projects
Translating contracts with Hongkongese Lawyers, Verification of Business License of a Chinese company
Communication Channels when doing transactions with factories/suppliers in China
The importance of building connections and relationships with salespersons
Understanding how the factory operates and its chain-of-command
In this episode, Rico interviews David Abusiewiez of Alpha Rock Capital. David shares his journey of leaving the US to start a company in the Philippines.
Topics include:
Leaving the comfort zone to start the Asian adventure
Profile of western entrepreneurs in Manila.
What it’s like living in the Philippines?
How Alpha Rock started
Best moments living in the Philippines
In this episode, Rico talks about a number of business updates, with focus on manufacturing companies in China being affected by the spreading coronavirus.
Topics include:
Changes in China’s manufacturing sector in the past few weeks
Effects of the shutdown to both suppliers and clients
China’s current business climate: pros and cons
Personal travel status going to and from China
In this episode, Rico and Mike review their 2019 goals and share another set of goals for the brand new year.
Topics include:
Rico’s 2019 Goals
Achieve 20% increase in sales, 7% profitability.
Reach five-figure revenue from YouTube ads.
Interview someone with 10k followers
Revamp the website
Organise a meet-up
Stay in the Philippines for two months
Do three months of Muay Thai
Make two “A Day in a Life” videos
Achieve 14% body fat
Grade: A-
Mike’s 2019 Goals
Read more
Spend time in Africa
Do meditation
Live a healthier lifestyle
Develop more content
Grade: B-
Rico’s 2020 Goals
Achieve 20% increase in sales, 10% profitability.
Interview someone with over 100k followers and appear on his channel
Make two “A Day in a Life” videos
Hit 2.5k YouTube subscribers
Do six webinars
Launch course from webinars
Host six sourcing tables
Hire full-time videographer and marketing manager
Launch second business
Release lifestyle YouTube channel
Complete the web design
Maintain 14% body fat
Do Muay Thai three times a week
Move to the Philippines
Study Mandarin
Have one YouTube livestream a month
Reach $3000 a month passive income
Mike’s 2020 Goals
Have one tour
Get back to playing basketball
Continue to book events
Sell 5,000 Z Kits
Set one sourcing meet up in Chicago
Set up event in Manila
Record content with Rico in Manila
Edit and release recorded content
Explore Europe (Spain, Italy)
Purchase condominium in Chicago
Get daughter to do some activities
Start side business with daughter
In this episode, Rico and Jordan talk about the digital marketing industry in Southeast Asia particularly in the Philippines where e-commerce has been thriving in recent years.
Topics include:
Advantages of doing business in the Philippines
The growing e-commerce in the Philippines
First Client: Low Budget, High Level Result
Why getting clients for the money is a bad move
Biggest misconception about digital marketing
Practical advice for launching a brand
Budget Talk: How much to set aside for marketing and brand launch
Identifying the best product to sell
Read More
