Made in China Podcast

In this Episode, we listen to the conversation that Rico had with Felipe Arias, CEO of Itoo, who was a guest on episode 92. Here, he gives a more in depth view of the Fast Fashion and building sustainability within the Industry.

Topics incl:

• How Fashion Industry Affects the Environment

• Sustainability in China

• Corruption in the Industry

• Advance Technology for Sustainability 

• Polyester Recycables  

• Sustainablity in Fashion is Expensive

• Implementing Safety in the Factories

• Organic Farming

• Trust and Transparency

• Lack of Workers in the Factory

• Sourcing from India and Vietnam 

• Fast Fashion

• Made in China vs Made in Italy

• H&M and Zara

• Marketing, YG Media

• Selling in Canton Fair

• Digital Marketing in China

• Trips with the Europe Crew

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In this week’s Video Cast, We sit down with Iris to talk about Neat HK, an Online Bank Service aimed to offer small businesses and startups the right technology to make life easier. Iris, who is now Head of Marketing Department was the First Employee of Neat, She shares us stories about the progression of the Company from it’s beginnings and later on Explains the Different platforms that Neat has to Offer.

Topics incl:

• Coming from a Finance Background

• The Appeal of joining Neat

• The HK Banking System still behind compared to Europe

• Neat's Demographic

• The early challenges opening an Online Banking System in HK

• Partnering with other Banks

• Digitizing to minimize cost

• Neat's Application Process

• Company's challenges in the beginning

• Neat Personal Account and Business Account

• Multi Currency Account

• Expansion Plan in China

• China's Withdrawal Limit

• Neat's Technical Support Team

• Customers visiting the Office to check if they are Real

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In this last part of our 3 hour long special podcast, Bryan and Rico Broke Down the workflow even further up to the 3rd production run. An episode that can help bring knowledge of what to expect when Sourcing for an Original Design. It was a Unique Experience especially having to produce 5 existing toys and simultaneously  designing another 4 more. We will also get to know what advantages there are when Coming to China vs Working Remotely.

Topics incl:

• Implementing QC

• Being Detailed but not too specific on Instructions

• Having a toy facing the wrong way

• F.R.I -Final Random Inspection

• Translating Western English "Idioms" to Chinese English

• Designing a new toy after BIG HEX

• The Difference of manufacturing a new toy vs Big Hex

• When Factory Increase Per unit  Cost

• How The relationship Progessed Between ProdigyGame and SFA as they were growing respectively.

• Coming to China for the First Time after Working remotely for 2 years

• The progress of Prodigygame during the 2 year process of Manufacturing

• Revenue from Toys Vs Revenue from Softwares

• Observation on SFA during the 2 1/2 years as it Grew.

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Continuing on the Podcast, We have the 2nd of 3 episodes with Bryan Paratian  who was Lead Hardware Developer of ProdigyGame, An Educational Technology Company, which so happened to be the company that baptized Rico as his first Clients. Here they revisit their initial experiences that came with challenges they had to endure in order to have an Original Design Successfully Manufactured. On this sequel, they broke down the work flow  of the process that took 6 months to a year for “BIG HEX’s” completion. 

Topics incl:

• The issue with the team they were working with before finding the right personnel.

• The problems with the first molding

• Reaction to Kids Reviewing Big Hex on Youtube

• Having the manufacturer guide you on the Financial and Quality Side

• THE RELIEF of releasing BIG HEX after a year then manufacturing 4 more toys later.

• Customer Lifetime Value 

• The Workflow of the Process, From it’s beginning to it’s end

• Don't ignore the packaging!

• Having the contract written in Chinese and English

• Preproduction Development

• The Chinese way of business Comparing to North America

• Negotiation; the most intense process

• Revising the production

• Proceeding with the 2nd batch

• Hiring a QC Team

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This week on the Podcast, We have the 1st of 3 episodes with Bryan Paratian who was Lead Hardware Developer of ProdigyGame, An Educational Technology Company, which so happened to be the company that baptized Rico as his first Clients. Here they revisit their initial experiences that came with challenges they had to endure in order to have an Original Design Successfully Manufactured.

Topics incl:

• Changing Roles at ProdigyGame

• Using Stress Sensors to Evaluate Gaming Experience

• Hiring Freelance 3d artist on Behance

• Sourcing from Alibaba

• Finding the right suppliers

• Data Science to help with analysis

• Deciding to get help from Rico

• Screening  a company online is not enough

• What SFA brought to the table

• MOLDING Failed

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In This Video Cast Episode, Rico sits down with Felipe Arias, who mainly deals with Fashion and started his entrepreneurship in China since he was 19. Here he goes in depth about Fast Fashion, sourcing from different Regions and the tricks of the trade in the Fashion world.

Topics incl:

• Felipe's Beginning as an Young Entrepreneur

• The learning process provided by China

• The Mom's Influence on his Entrepreneur Blood

• Fashion is not Something that you go to school and learn about. "Identifying the End Consumer"

• Knowing the Regional Taste for Women

• Early Mistakes and the Recovery after

• Patience is a trait you need to run a business.

• Building a team in China: Providing a good working environment

• Being prepared for whats coming

• Be Updated with the Technology of production

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Welcoming in our Podcast is Mark Ramos,  A Veteran FBA Amazon and Internet marketer. Here he chats with Rico, who he will be collaborating with in Future Projects. Talks about his experience living in Guangzhou before it emerged to what it is now and how he loves being the guy behind the scenes organizing business seminars and networking events.

Topics incl:

• Coming to China

• The Emergence of Internet Marketing

• Guangzhou, China in 2006

• Introducing the concept of Internet Marketing to Chinese Clients and Factories at the Beginning

• China's Control of the Internet

• Maintaining Success

• Selling in Amazon Then vs Now; Amazon Explosion on 2016

• "Finding your focus as an entrepreneur"

• Having a Chinese business partner and The strategy of presenting to clients as a foreigner

• Consulting; Being in the country and present to the Factories is a benefit when sourcing

• Networking in the Seminars

• Build a Brand and an Audience First

• Online Courses: Are they necessary for your business growth?

• Black Cat Tactics that Chinese sellers employ

• Having membership and maintaining monthly continuity

• Future Plans for his Business in China

• Bringing back Cross Border Summit in Guanzhou

• Being Behind the Scenes

• 10 years in Guangzhou, Observation of Influx of Entrepreneurship

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In this Episode Rico caught up with Michael Michelini, who you know from ChinaBusiness Cast, Global From Asia and the Organizer of Cross Border Summit. A Dadpreneur, He now lives in Chiangmai and he shares the experience of living in a more relaxed environment compared to China’s Hustle and Bustle Life, Letting Go of China Business Cast and Transitioning to life in Chiangmai especially now that his children made an impact with his priorities and approach to life. Enjoy the episode.

Topics incl:

• Selling China Business Cast

• Finding a Replacement and Listeners Reaction

• Life in Chiangmai, Level of Entrepreneurship compared to China

• Family Life 

• Meet Ups in Chiangmai

• Manila Vs Chiangmai

• Education, A priority and a Factor in Choosing where you live

• Cross Border Summit Columbia

• Shenzen

• Doing the Youtube, Podcast and Blogging

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