🧋 From orphan to tea empire
At age ten, Zhang lost both parents, left school and worked as a helper in a milk-tea shop. He taught himself to read and write at eighteen. Eight years later he founded Chagee, now a global tea chain with thousands of stores and a Nasdaq listing.
His recipes for success
Tea instead of sugar bombs: He positioned Chagee as a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese tea culture, focusing on high-quality tea leaves, minimalist design and a lounge experience rather than a grab-and-go kiosk.
Personally modest, professionally relentless: Colleagues say he still has not bought a car or an apartment. More important than personal consumption is leaving a mark on China’s economic history.
A wedding that fascinates China: In two weeks he will marry Gao Haichun, the only daughter of the founders of Trina Solar, known in the media as the “Solar Goddess.” The two met at a networking event for young entrepreneurs.
The China Survival Guide for Western Businesses
Entity setup, WeChat strategy, hiring your first local team. 12+ years on the ground in Shanghai.
