Ep 133 - Rico's Favorite music of the Decade Pt 1

In this episode, Rico and ChinaMike Reflects on China's Entrepreneur Landscape during the decade. They discuss different online campaigns, factory stories, lifestyle changes, security procedures, and other observations of many changes that have occured in the last 10 years.

  • Topics incl:

    • Crowdfunding craze, peak, plateau and current

    • Rise of E-commerce / Drop shipping SMEs

    • Rise of Amazon FBA/ Factories Adaptation to smaller orders

    • Chinese e-commerce sellers online local / abroad

    • Local online shopping off the charts / factories don’t need foreign buyers as much

    • Rise of the Chinese economy / cost of living / lifestyle / cost of goods

    • Rise of IOT / tech in general manufacturing / heavy government investement

    • Heavy government investment into making factories more environmentally / socially compliant on a global scale

    • Western Influence on younger generations / more interracial marriages/ factories being more educated

    • Trade War between US & China since Trump’s election

    • China cracking down on foreigners in their country

    • Mass Exodus of well established foreign businesses & people from china in the last 2 - 3 years

Read More
Ep 132 - Biggest China Manufacturing Changes of the Decade

In this episode, Rico and ChinaMike Reflects on China's Entrepreneur Landscape during the decade. They discuss different online campaigns, factory stories, lifestyle changes, security procedures, and other observations of many changes that have occured in the last 10 years.

  • Topics incl:

    • Crowdfunding craze, peak, plateau and current

    • Rise of E-commerce / Drop shipping SMEs

    • Rise of Amazon FBA/ Factories Adaptation to smaller orders

    • Chinese e-commerce sellers online local / abroad

    • Local online shopping off the charts / factories don’t need foreign buyers as much

    • Rise of the Chinese economy / cost of living / lifestyle / cost of goods

    • Rise of IOT / tech in general manufacturing / heavy government investement

    • Heavy government investment into making factories more environmentally / socially compliant on a global scale

    • Western Influence on younger generations / more interracial marriages/ factories being more educated

    • Trade War between US & China since Trump’s election

    • China cracking down on foreigners in their country

    • Mass Exodus of well established foreign businesses & people from china in the last 2 - 3 years

Read More
Ep 131- Youtube and Webinar Q&A Part 1

On this episode, Rico answers questions and gives his advice on topics such as taxes and his process on working with suppliers.

Topics incl:

  • Export taxes

  • Rico’s process on working with suppliers

  • Registering your business in Mainland China

  • Significant representatives in a company

Read More
Ep 130- How Rico Searches Alibaba for Factories

Happy New Year! As we welcome the year, we present a replay episode from a Youtube webinar regarding Searching for a Manufacturing Factory using Alibaba. Rico gives us a walkthrough and tips on how to successful find the right Factory for your Product

Topics incl:

  • Use non specific Keywords on Search

  • Start by looking at preferred designs 

  • Choosing factories with more information on company's profile

  • What an email should like to a chinese manufacturer

  • Fixing the language barrier issue

  • Production process of PVC Toys

Read More
Ep 129 - Deep Dive on Quality Control

On this episode Rico answers a viewer’s questions on selling on Chinese E-Commerce platforms. He also discussed the differences in putting up a business in Hong Kong and Mainland China; and buying & selling products online.

Let’s listen and Learn

Topics incl:

  • Difference on the scope of Hong Kong and Mainland China on business

  • Process of putting up a business account on online platforms such as WeChat, JD and Taobao.

  • Selling factories’ products online

  • China’s state on buying and selling products online

Read More
Ep 128 - Selling on China's E-Commerce Platform

On this episode Rico answers a viewer’s questions on selling on Chinese E-Commerce platforms. He also discussed the differences in putting up a business in Hong Kong and Mainland China; and buying & selling products online.

Let’s listen and Learn

Topics incl:

  • Difference on the scope of Hong Kong and Mainland China on business

  • Process of putting up a business account on online platforms such as WeChat, JD and Taobao.

  • Selling factories’ products online

  • China’s state on buying and selling products online

Read More
Ep 127 - Update on Don't Get Sued! Be wary of borrowing money in China. / Rico's Life and Biz

In this podcast episode, we get an Update from John Graham Harper about his personal experience of a scam and the court procedures regarding the case filed. We also talk about his plans to spread awareness and tell his story. Then after we will continue the Episode to find out what rico’s been up to with his Personal and Business Life.

Stay Tuned!

Topics incl:

His experience of a scam

Court procedures in China

Plans of making a documentary to expose the scam

Funding through Patreon page and GoGet Funding

Read More
Ep 126 - Yiwu vs Guangzhou For Manufacturing

In This Episode, we cut from a youtube video Rico had Released to Answer a Question asked by a Viewer regards to Manufacturing at Yiwu Vs Guangzhou. Rico Expounds and explained the differences between the 2 cities and what it can offer for every individual.

Topics incl:

Yiwu - Canton Fair All year Round

Guangzhou - Caters to More Professional Brands, and best for Original Design Products

Expat Communities In Shenzen and Hong Kong as oppose to Shanghai

Read More
Ep 125-Internship at Source Find Asia w/Luc Delannoy

In This Episode, We hear from Luc during his Exit Interview, hours before he heads back to Canada. He shares his takeaways from the internship and the Entrepreneurial lessons gained from Travelling to China and the South East.

Let's Listen in to his "tell all" interview.   .

Topics incl:

Internship Experience with RICO

Guangzhou vs Manila

Takeaways from the trips

The advantage of getting someone from the west

Most Challenging part of Managing Freelancers Remotely

JUST DO IT and Come to China

Read More
Ep 124 - Sourcing and Launching an Apparel Brand w Alan Scanlan

In this Week’s Episode, Rico reconnects with Alan Scanlan, who we can remember from 2 Video Cast from End of Last Year. Here they talk further details about Alan’s Business, Millenials and Hong Kong’s Politics.

Topics incl:

  • Dealing with business disappointments

  • Making business connections in Hong Kong

  • Working mentality of millenials

  • How Hong Kong unrest affects life and business

  • Difficulty penetrating the US market

  • Doing trade shows

    Source Find Asia Webinar

Read More
Ep 123 - Navigating Digital Mindfulness w/ Alexander Avanth

While In Manila at the Refined, Rico Sits Down with Alexander Avanth, VP of Alpha Rock Capital, an Online Acquisition Firm that Helps Other Business Be Successful even Further. He shares his Entrepreneurial visions, Travel Stories, and the Business Potential and Opportunities that's opening up in the Philippines.

Let’s join in and listen to the inspiring conversation.

Topics incl:

  • The Business of Consultancy and Accelerating other Existing Online Companies

  • The start of his Technology Entrepreneurial Career

  • Student Mentality and Curiosity, the eagerness to learn everyday

  • Coming to the Philippines

  • Filipino Culture: the Fine Line of a professional and personal relationship

  • The FInancial Potential of the Country

  • Loving the Philippines

Read More
Ep 122 - Creating Design for Manufacturing Techpacks w/ Belinda Jacobs

In this week’s episode, we feature another female entrepreneur, Belinda Jacobs, the founder of techpacks.co. She explains to us her business model and how they can help Clients involve in Manufacturing Bridge the Communication Gap with the Factories.

Let’s Listen and Get Inspired.

Topics incl:

  • Introduction to TechPacks

  • The benefits of using the services of Tech Pack

  • Difficulties of starting the company

  • Getting the first client

  • How TechPack works with clients

  • Benefits of having a specialized business

  • Challenges of working with foreigners

Read More
Ep 121 -Building a Lasting Physical Product Brand w Luke Francis

This week’s Episode, We listen to Rico’s live youtube stream with Close Pal Luke Francis, Where they get to catch up since their last interview on Made In China. Shares his success stories crowdfunding on indiegogo and then preparing to launch his Coaching Program “Vault”

Let’s join in and listen to their conversation.

Topics incl:

  • Life after MIC

  • Partnering with Enter China

  • Travelling Around China

  • From Saigon to Chiangmai

  • Revisitting Enter China; Reasons for Stepping Down

  • Partnering with Buddies

  • Outsourcing from China Vs South East Asian Countries

  • Manufacturing Problems & Mistakes

  • Launching a Coaching Program: "VAULT"
    Resources Listed As Mentioned:

    Source Find Asia Youtube Channel

    Globalfromasia

    Morveau

    Lukefrancis.me

    Enter China

    Why We Sleep? by Matthew Walker (Book)

    Steve Jobs Biography

    How I built this (Podcast)

Read More
Ep 120 - Social Entrepreneurship in China w/ Global Friendship

This week’s Episode, In continuation of our Support of Female Entrepreneurs, We Sit down and Chat with Fabiola and Rochelle of Global Friendship China, Who set up shop at one of the largest foreign communities in Southern China.

Let’s have a listen to their Story

Topics incl:

  • How Global Friendship makes life easier for expats in China

  • Making the GF community sustainable

  • Doing business without any business background

  • Embracing the entrepreneur identity

  • How diversity inspires the vision of the Company

  • Developing meaningful connections in China thru GF

Read More
Ep 119 - Rico's Rumination on 2016 and Life

In this Episode, We travel in Time and revisit Rico at the year of 2016, On a Time when SFA's Business has been positively progressing and how it has improved his lifestyle in a span of year as he achieved his Goals as a young Entrepreneur starting up SFA in China

Let’s have a listen.

Topics incl:

  • Rico’s Financial and business challenges in China

  • Business and lifestyle progress  

  • Entrepreneurial Lessons

  • The negatives of entrepreneurship

  • Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

Read More
Ep 118 - Corporate Wellness in Hong Kong w/ Madison Ashley

In this week’s episode, In a Series of Interviews done while in HK, Rico chats with Madison Ashley, A female entrepreneur, who is involve with promoting wellness in a corporate setting through Balance Potential. She share her thoughts and views about having a certain balance and spirituality while being surrounded with toxic pressures of corporate life.

Let’s have a listen.

Topics incl:

  • Coming to Hong Kong

  • Getting into Events And Marketing with BRINK

  • Joining Balance Potential

  • Wellness in Corporate Life

  • Value of Instilling Culture within a Company

  • Being a Female Entrepreneur in the East vs West

  • Importance of a full Sleep


Read More
Ep 117 - ChinaMike's First Trip to AFRICA (Lusaka, Zambia)

Few Months Back, Rico Invited Mike to his Homeland of Zambia. In This Episode, Mike Shares his Takeaways Visiting Africa for the First Time and the Experience of Getting an Inside Look at Rico's Roots.

Let's have a listen to the casual but interesting conversation.

Topics incl:

  • AFROBEAT Everywhere

  • GREAT BBQ FOOD!!!

  • Finesse Conciousness of the community

  • Mr Ngoma, Rico’s Dad

  • Consumer Culture in Zambia Vs China

Read More
Ep 116 - Registering & Marketing An Internet Business in China to China w/ Jons Slemmer

In This week's episode, We welcome another Digital Entrepreneur Jons Slemmer. The new Host of ChinaBusinessCast, Who operates a Digital Marketing Consultancy from Chengdu. He shares his opinions and perspectives related to Marketing a brand Online while dealing with China's Strict Implementations and the Challenges for Foreigners to do start an Online Business. Let's Listen and Gather the Value Information.

Topics incl:

  • Choosing to Live in Chengdu

  • Hosting China BusinessCast

  • Red Star Consulting 

  • Challenges of foreign companies in China

  • Marketing to the Chinese Audience

  • Why creating apps are better than websites in China

  • Cost of Marketing in the country

  • Knowing the ICP license

  • Climate in doing online business in China

  • Misconceptions of foreigners about marketing to the Chinese

  • Implemented Regulations & Compliances

  • Business challenges in China

Read More
Ep 115 - From Big Finance to Men's Yoga Shorts w/ Brutal Buddha

n this week’s episode, Rico chats with Roe And Evan from Brutal Buddha who started in big finance in Hong Kong but then share how they shifted and are now launching a men’s yoga pants brand. Let’s have a listen to these inspiring Entrepreneurs.

Topics incl:

  • How Roe and Evan came to HK 

  • What inspired the Entrepreneurship journey 

  • Starting Brutal Buddha 

  • Why The Yoga Niche 

  • Campaign Launch 

  • Customer Discovery

Resources Listed As Mentioned:

Source Find Asia Youtube Channel

Brutal Buddha Website

Tony Robbins Master The Game

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Man’s Search For Meaning Book

Shoe Dog Book

Alibaba The House That Jack Ma Build Book

Madison's Instagram

Brutal Buddha Facebook

Brutal Buddha Instagram

Brutal Buddha Calendly

Man Flow Yoga

Man Flow Yoga Youtube

Email: team@brutalbuddhagear.com

Read More
Ep 114-Leveraging Amazon FBA To Live The 4 Hour Work Week Life w/ Riley Bennett

In this week’s Podcast, Rico speaks with Riley Bennett to learn about how he's built his successful Amazon FBA business to live the 4 Hour Week Life as a digital nomad. From Traveling and working whenever in whichever country he likes. Let’s have a listen to another inspiring Entrepreneur.

Topics incl:

Read More