Posts in Lifestyle
Ep 57 - Opening a Restaurant in China w/ MiCasa's Mazen Dabbousi
Ep 57 - Opening a Restaurant in China w/ MiCasa's Mazen Dabbousi

In this episode, Rico and ChinaMike interview restaurateur Mazen Daboussi a foreigner who opened a restaurant business in Guangzhou, China without any local partners. He shares his experiences, challenges and successes in operating a Mexican Fusion Resto in an old city whose locals have young pallets - slowly embracing International cuisine.

Topics incl:

  • The history of how Mazen founded MiCasa

  • How Guangzhou cuisine has progressed through the years.

  • Training and motivating long-term employees in China.

  • How to compromise personal taste to fit the local market.

  • Registering a business in China.

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China, Business, Source Find Asia, Lifestyle, NetworkingRicomarketing, imports, whiskey, restaurants, restaurant, food Comment
Ep 54 - Initial Communication - How to Build Relationships with Suppliers
Ep 54 - Initial Communication - How to Build Relationships with Suppliers

Originally a SFA Youtube Channel video, in this episode Nick Nerov speaks with Rico and ChinaMike about the essential steps involved when building a lasting relationship with Chinese supplier from the initial research phase.

Topics Incl.

  • Insider vs outsider supplier research and the 4 best online resources
     
  • How to start and timeline progression
     
  • Best and worst case scenarios
     
  • ODM vs OEM Process
     
  • What is the best mindset a person can have to do business in China
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China, Business, Manufacturing, Source Find Asia, LifestyleRicomarketing, factories, Suppliers, sourcing, imports, whiskey, micasa, researchComment
Ep 50 - Rico & ChinaMike's Top 5 Episodes
Ep 50 - Rico & ChinaMike's Top 5 Episodes

Happy 2018 & Happy Anniversary Made in China Podcast! Episode 50!

This time you will have a chance to hear Rico’s and ChinaMike’s choices for their top 5 episodes of the Made in China Podcast (Rico cheated with "honorable mentions"). You will hear what was the most fun for them, from whom they learned a lot and how their have guests affected their business and lives. Enjoy!

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China, Business, Networking, Lifestyle, Manufacturing, Enter ChinaRicorelationshipsComment
Ep 49 - Rico & Noam Catch Up
Ep 49 - Rico & Noam Catch Up

Rico and Noam strike again! In this episode, two old friends recap the period since their last podcast. They talk about business, vacations, health and life in Thailand/China.

Topics Incl:

*Rico & Noam's Company Updates

*When You Should Get A China Business Licence

*Revenue Growth

*Post-vacation Productivity

*The Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster Ride

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Lifestyle, China, Amazon FBARicochiang mai, thailand, marketingComment
Ep 46 - Our Marketing Intern/Aspriring Entrepreneur - Marcello

In this episode Rico interviews his marketing intern Marcello Di Pierro, aspiring entrepenur and future marketing expert.

Topics Incl:

  • Why China?
     
  • How did he came across Rico?
     
  • "Oh Fuck it! I`m going to China!"
     
  • First weeks in the office
     
  • The power of video
     
  • Plans for the future
     
  • What changes moving to another country brings
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China, Business, Enter China, Lifestyle, Source Find Asia, Networking, ManufacturingRicointerviews, internships, marketing, managementComment
Ep 45 - Rico & Noam Ruminations
Ep 45 - Rico & Noam Ruminations

In this episode Rico and one of his best friends Noam Lightstone - Author, Entrepreneur, Digital nomad, ruminate about personal growth, philosophy and mindset.


Topics incl.

  • Becoming Batman
     
  • The Tao of the morning routine.
     
  • How to do more extra work and have fun with it.
     
  • How to achieve good balance in life
     
  • Automations and emotions
     
  • Getting Jacked Bro!
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Business, China, Lifestyle, Networking, Source Find AsiaRicoself improvement, noam, travel, clientsComment
Ep 42 - Building a CrossFit Empire w/Gus Mello (@helefitness.com)
Ep 42 - Building a CrossFit Empire w/Gus Mello (@helefitness.com)

In this episode, Rico chats with CrossFit trainer/entrepreneur Gus Mello, co-founder of HELE Fitness in Hawaii while sitting on the 91st floor of the Park Hyatt in Shanghai (hope you like the deep house in the background).

Topics Include:

  • Traveling to 5 different cities in China in 10 Days
     
  • Being an SFA client
     
  • How to look like a dude?
     
  • The CrossFit Equipment Business Philosophy
     
  • Why come to China when you have people there?
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Manufacturing, Source Find Asia, Lifestyle, China, BusinessRicofitness, clients, shanghaiComment
Ep 41 - (Bonus) 4S1F39 Four Seas One Family Podcast - Rico Interview
Ep 41 - (Bonus) 4S1F39 Four Seas One Family Podcast - Rico Interview

"Lower your expectations so you can get results that you want in China," is one of the most memorable quotes from Rico's first ever turn as a podcast interviewee. 

In this special episode (originally posted by the Four Seas One Family Podcast) you'll get to learn a bit more about the personal elements throughout Rico's life - that led him to leave the comforts of Canada and head to China: 

Topics Incl:

  • Rico's preference of PS3 over exploration on his first trip to Guangzhou
     
  • How entrepreneurship is part of his DNA
     
  • The differences between "American" Chinese Food & ACTUAL Chinese food
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China, Business, Lifestyle, Networking, Source Find AsiaRiconetworking, podcasts, interviewsComment
Ep 40 - Making $15k A Month PROFIT through Amazon FBA w/ Nick Nerov
Ep 40 - Making $15k A Month PROFIT through Amazon FBA w/ Nick Nerov

In this episode Nick Nerov, a big time Amazon FBA player making 5 figures a month in profit (USD) selling on the platform - will share pearls of wisdom with Rico and his listeners. These two good friends will share advice, laughs and experience.

Topics Incl:

  • The Spirit of the Entrepreneur
     
  • First steps to get on Amazon.
     
  • Bro-Hands...
     
  • What do when the FBA goldrush ends
     
  • The nuts and bolts of business growth
     
  • Importance of good suppliers
     
  • Praising Rico!!!
     
  • Rico EXPOSED!!!
Read More
Amazon FBA, China, Business, Alibaba, Networking, Lifestyle, ManufacturingRicorelationships Comments
Ep 39 - (Bonus Ep) #ThisisChina The Sequel
Ep 39 - (Bonus Ep) #ThisisChina The Sequel

The sequel to the #ThisIsChina #T.I.C. series. In this episode, find out what kind of adventures you'd find yourself in while traveling to mountain villages in China.
How NOT to order beer in when a small town bar up in North China how Chinese culture always seems to have a new surprise for Rico and ChinaMike. 

Topics Incl:

* When you`re 6 ft tall in the middle of a Chinese village.

* How to say no to cigarettes and keep saying no, again and again and again.

* Ordering Heineken's and getting...well, something else.

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China, LifestyleRico#thisischina, #tic, travelComment
Ep 36 - 2016 Goals vs 2017 Goals
Ep 36 - 2016 Goals vs 2017 Goals

In this episode ChinaMike & Rico dig deep to share their successes, FAILURES from 2016, what they learnt and their goals for 2017.

Goals Incl:

  • Content Schedule! (Yes, the podcast will be more consistent!)
     
  • Financial Targets
     
  • Cohesion Between Multiple Businesses
     
  • Ambitious Fitness Goals
     
  • Potential Internships
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Business, China, Lifestyle, Source Find AsiaRicogoals, 2017, 2016, gym, management, hustle, scaling, lifeComment
Ep 35 - Leveraging High Paying Jobs in China While Starting a Business (w/ Nick Lenczewski)
Ep 35 - Leveraging High Paying Jobs in China While Starting a Business (w/ Nick Lenczewski)

In this episode we interviewed Nick Lenczewski (Len-chess-key)  the author of Ultimate China Guide: How to Teach English, Travel, Learn Chinese & Find Work in China. He writes books and makes movies to help people discover the incredible life that living and traveling in China brings. Made in China Podcast listeners can download the first 30 pages of Ultimate China Guide for free here.

Topics Incl:

  • Eating Chicken Feet at  7 / 11
     
  • Going from 0 words to being a medical translator of Mandarin to English
     
  • How he found and now helps foreigners find non-teaching jobs in China
     
  • Opening his own English teaching school in China
     
  • Dating and being treated like a celebrity in China
     
  • Getting a Chinese Driver's License 
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China, Business, Lifestyle, NetworkingRicoteaching, china, hustleComment
Ep 34 - (Bonus Episode) #ThisIsChina
Ep 34 - (Bonus Episode) #ThisIsChina

A short episode where Rico and Mike remind us of that good old #T.I.C., "This Is China." The guys discuss some of the off the wall situations they find themselves in living and working in the Middle Country (Zhong Guo).

Stay tuned for:

* Sights and sounds of a Chinese gym

* The Smokehouse aka the office bathroom

* Donnie Does China

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China, Business, Lifestyle, Source Find AsiaRicooffice, gym, Guangzhou, cultureComment
Ep 33 - First Year in China Lessons
Ep 33 - First Year in China Lessons

In our first episode of 2017 (which was recorded in 2016), Rico sat down with Harrison Bevins - whom you might remember from Ep 19 Inside Rico's Private Mastermind  - to discuss what life lessons you might learn in your first year in the wild wild East.

Topics Incl:

  • Getting over cold stares and being shoved in and out of elevators
     
  • The strategies we used to settle into life in China
     
  • Living in Taipei for comfort vs Guangzhou for hustle
     
  • Why no one concurs China in a year
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China, Lifestyle, Networking, Enter China, BusinessRicochina, life, cultureComment
Ep 32 - What We Find SCARIEST About Scaling A Business
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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Business, China, LifestyleRicomanagement, scalingComment
Ep 27 - How to Avoid the Dreaded "China Day"
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
Read More
China, LifestyleRicoComment
Ep 26 - (Bonus Episode) Goals
Ep 26 - (Bonus Episode) Goals

In this short bonus episode Rico & ChinaMike talked about entrepreneurs and what the importance of setting goals, is to them.

Topics Incl:

  • One goal they succeeded and one goal they failed at last year and why.
     
  • What they've learned about goal setting through trial and error
     
  • Balancing realism and optimism
     
  • How announcing your goals publicly holds you accountable
Read More
Business, LifestyleRicoComment
Ep 25 - Dating in China at 30 - With Chilli (Part 2)
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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Lifestyle, ChinaRicodatingComment
Ep 21 - Dating in China at 30 - With Chilli (Part 1)
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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China, LifestyleRicodatingComment
Ep 20 - (Bonus Episode) 7 Lessons Learned About Living in China
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
Read More
China, LifestyleRico Comments