My heart was always in growing my own brand. We felt that there is a big gap in Asia, and consumers do not have enough good quality and wide-ranging oat-based products.

Janis Arbidans 🇯🇵

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I realised early on from trying different opportunities that I like sales. This gave me confidence to take on more calculated risks.

Jieseon Kim 🇰🇷

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I identified a massive need in the Chinese market for quality partnerships in manufacturing that had an ‘on the ground’ approach.

Sam Sheehan 🇨🇳

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I learned from a persistent salesman from fish markets about a fundamental human need, where we want to be seen and heard.

Kenya Oba 🇯🇵

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I asked if I could be an asset in solving communication issues with foreign brands. He became my first customer in China and until this day.

Matthew Heller 🇨🇳

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I initially wanted to start a premium New Zealand pet food brand. Now I lead our Commercial Team across Asia, supporting both in-market and new-to-market brands.

Ashwin Pillay 🇨🇳

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After 7 years in the sourcing & custom manufacturing industry and from the background research I had done, I made the move to Danang, Vietnam.

Tom Daniels 🇻🇳

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I spent a lot of time reflecting, moving from doubt and lack of confidence to eventually changing my mindset and affirming my decisions and abilities.

Nick Wang 🇹🇼

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I worked for free for this small digital agency in Shanghai that ended up growing to 125 employees in 3 years. China started to ‘cool down’ in 2019/20 and I started looking for the next land of growth and opportunities.

Benji Lamb 🇻🇳

The Vietnamese people forged their own identity from the pain past with a rich culture.

Benji Lamb 🇻🇳

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The Korean culture (K-Culture, Hallyu 한류) is a thing now. There is something in there to explore.

Jieseon Kim 🇰🇷

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China is in transition, motivated to maintain its competitiveness and sustainability in the face of ever-changing global perceptions of the country.

Sam Sheehan 🇨🇳

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China’s annual GDP growth halved from the historical average of 9.5% between 1978 and 2019 to 4.7% as of June, 2024.

Matthew Heller 🇨🇳

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In Japan, there are two types of people. Those who keep working with little regard for change or improvement, and those who have no choice but to take things into their own hands.

Kenya Oba 🇯🇵

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The China market is non-stop and the atmosphere of Shanghai is addictive.

Ashwin Pillay 🇨🇳

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Once Japanese consumers like your product, they will be loyal.

Janis Arbidans 🇯🇵

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Many people believe that successful people or individuals with sophisticated tastes drink single malt whisky.

Nick Wang 🇹🇼

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Leveraging its proximity to China and learning from China’s years of perfecting manufacturing processes and supply chains, Vietnam has the potential to grow into a viable option for companies wanting to manufacture in Asia.

Tom Daniels 🇻🇳