The Hustlers Guide
What do i know about business? Very little. I know people and thats the most important skill to have in China.
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Subscribe to updatesHi, my name is zak, and like you I’m just an average guy, who, one day, itched for an adventure. In 2012 I finished my undergraduate degree and decided to move to China. Sure you’ve probably heard a few things about China. You’ve probably heard that it's where knockoffs were born or that practically every single corporation manufacturers their products there. These are both true. But in my time I’ve discovered so much more. Ive met so many people from so many different countries. So many bright and brave entrepreneurs who are doing things that, honestly might be impossible, or out of reach for most of us in the west. I decided to compile my experiences and encounters with these people into a book that I hope will guide and help those who are interested in going to China to pursue their international entrepreneurial ambitions, or those entrepreneurs in the crowdfunding community who have a great idea but aren’t sure how to bring it to life.
This book is part memoir and part how-to-guide. I'll introduce you to ten people, who I’ve had the profound pleasure of knowing, and show you the incredible things that they have been able to accomplish in China, while simultaneously taking you on a journey through my own experiences there with strategic sourcing and product development. Now while these ten entrepreneurs' respective enterprises aren’t at all unique, their strategies and tactics while operating in China are, which has allowed them to succeed where most others have failed. Each chapter in this book is dedicated to one of these ten people.
Chapter 1: The Southern Persuasion: based on Eduardo, a Colombian national who managed to escape a life of poverty in Bogota to build one of the most successful private English language academies in China, despite not being from an English speaking country.
Chapter 2: The Concierge of Crime: based on Kanu, a Tanzanian national who came to China as a student but ended up doing something only seen in movies.
Chapter 3: The Rag Trade: based on Elias, an English national who came to China to build the first indigenous clothing brand, and South Chinas first runway show.
Chapter 4: A Renminbi and a Dream: based on Wendy, an Australian national who built a toy manufacturing empire, with only $300 in her pocket.
Chapter 5: The Russian Method: based on Lola, a cunning Russian model who built her own modelling agency, with herself as the first model.
Chapter 6: All- American: based on Pete, a skillful American who built a novelty electronics business out of his dorm room in China.
Chapter 7: Live by Night: based on Gloria, an Australian DJ who established a cult following in the Chinese nightlife scene.
Chapter 8: The Wine Seller: based on Vassi, a French entrepreneur who began by importing French wine into China and soon established herself as the greatest wine connoisseur this side of the great wall.
Chapter 9: Dark Pools of Liquidity: based on Ivan, a Romanian financial genius who built an underground business “managing" money for Asia’s wealthy elite.
Chapter 10: The Old China Hand: based on Ari, Portuguese- Canadian businessman who spent more than 20 years in China maneuvering his way into countless businesses and hustles.
Chapter 11: What a time to be alive - You, an aspiring entrepreneur looking to take advantage of the opportunities in China , whether you're looking to operate in the country, or establish a production centre for your product.
This book is for the aspiring entrepreneur, the risk taker, and those that value time as much as money. This book is for those that understand that job security, social assistance, fair wages, and benefits are not always guaranteed. This book is for those that understand that life is too short to spend working until old age. This book is for those that want to make as much money as possible NOW!. This book is for the hustler and survivor, and China is the modern day hustlers paradise. Entrepreneurs in the crowdfunding community would most benefit from this book. Crowdfunding platforms such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter are growing in size and scope. Having a great idea for a product is the first step, but entrepreneurs need to understand how they can manufacture their product in China efficiently and effectively. Its important to know how business is done in China, and what mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when dealing with factories during the manufacturing process.
At present, the author is just building a social media platform. This is his first book.
#1 Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China
#2 One Hour China Book
#4 China’s Super Consumers: What 1 Billion Customers Want and How to Sell it to Them
#5 Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People’s Republic of China
#6 China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps
#7 Mr.China: A Memoir
#8 Mao's Dog, Deng's Cat, and Five Timeless Lessons for Doing Business in China
Zak Osman is 5 year China all-star. He's had his hands in everything from product development to strategic sourcing, even dabbling in a the black market. This is his story.
Excerpt from book:
"My good friend Rashad was already there waiting for me, in the Southern city of Shenzhen. He managed to finished his undergraduate degree a semester before me, and i’d spent several months convincing him to take the journey with me, he obliged. I didn’t know much about Shenzhen (I only visited Shanghai), only what Rashad told me in our email correspondences and phone conversations. It was a port city in the South of China, directly bordering Hong Kong, which remained loosely independent of China since its return from the British in 1997. Incredibly, Shenzhen was a mere fishing village before China’s opening up to the world in 1979. Today, it is a vast metropolitan with a population exceeding 15 million people, a healthy economic sector, and a leading technology and innovation centre in Asia.
Fortunately for Rashad, he was able to land a English teaching job at a state school, paying a decent salary of $2000 USD per month, with airfare and housing provided. I applied for the same job, but for reasons unclear I was rejected, and my attempts at appeal were futile. For those in the know, teaching English was one of the easiest jobs to land in China, and allowed for a means of sustenance while other financial avenues were explored. Our plan was to teach English while simultaneously exploring the business landscape and seeking out available opportunities. I was discernibly upset when my application for employment was rejected. Our plan, it seemed, was already crumbling before it even began. I expressed my concerns to Rashad and sought his counsel. To my delight, he wasn’t concerned, and told me that there were private English language institutes in China, all I had to do was obtain a one month tourist visa from the Chinese consulate in Toronto, and when i landed in Hong Kong visit the Chinese consulate there and apply for a 6 month business visa. This seemed odd, but apparently it was much easier at the time to obtain a Chinese business visa from Hong Kong then from the Chinese consulate in Toronto. I asked Rashad why that was, and he replied with one word, Guangxi. I wouldn’t realize the importance or significance of this word until months later."
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