Title: From "Jiaozi" to "Nezha": The Rise of an Entrepreneur
Hello everyone! Today, let’s talk about a medical student who "strayed from his path" and went from being unknown to becoming a legend in China’s animation industry. He is none other than Jiaozi (Yang Yu), the director of Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child. His story is not just about a filmmaker’s journey—it’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship!
?? Step 1: Find Your Passion
Jiaozi started out as a medical student, but deep down, he always dreamed of making animation. After graduation, he made a bold decision: he left behind a stable career in medicine and chose the uncertain path of animation. Lesson 1 in entrepreneurship: Find what you truly love, because only passion will push you through countless challenges.
?? Step 2: Go from 0 to 1—Strive for Excellence
When Jiaozi first started, he had no team, no funding, and not even proper equipment. Yet, with just an old computer and three years of effort, he created the animated short See Through. The film became an instant success, winning over 20 international awards. Lesson 2: Success from 0 to 1 requires extreme dedication. Even with limited resources, focus on making your product the best it can be.
?? Step 3: Endure Loneliness and Survive the "Darkest Moments"
The production of Nezha took five years, during which Jiaozi faced immense pressure and skepticism. Many thought he was crazy—how could a domestic animated film succeed? But he persevered. Lesson 3: Before success, there is always a long period of solitude and struggle. Only those who push through the darkest moments will see the light.
?? Step 4: Break the Mold—Innovation is the Only Way
Nezha became a hit not just because of its stunning animation, but because it broke away from traditional storytelling. Jiaozi transformed Nezha from a heroic figure into a rebellious "demon child" and introduced the iconic line: “My fate is not determined by heaven, but by myself.” Lesson 4: Innovation is an entrepreneur’s most valuable weapon. If you don’t stand out, you won’t succeed.
?? Step 5: A Strong Team is the Key to Success
Though Jiaozi was the creative force behind Nezha, he had an incredible team supporting him—from scriptwriters to special effects artists, voice actors to marketers. Lesson 5: The era of lone wolves is over. A great team is the foundation of success. Surround yourself with like-minded people, and you’ll go much further.
?? Step 6: Let Results Speak for Themselves
With a final box office total of 5 billion RMB ($700M), Nezha became the highest-grossing animated film in Chinese history. Jiaozi proved his worth through results, and in doing so, proved that Chinese animation had enormous potential. Lesson 6: In business, results speak louder than words. No matter how difficult the journey, once you succeed, all doubts will turn into applause.
?? Final Takeaway: Entrepreneurship is Like Making Dumplings
Starting a business is a lot like making dumplings: ?? You need the right filling (a great idea), ?? You must carefully wrap it (develop your product), ?? And then cook it to perfection (launch it into the market).
Along the way, dumplings might break, spill, or stick together. But if you persist, you’ll eventually serve up a masterpiece!
If you have a dream of starting a business, let Jiaozi’s journey inspire you. Passion is the starting point, persistence is the journey, innovation is the key, teamwork is the foundation, and results are the proof.
?? What do you think is the hardest part of entrepreneurship? Share your thoughts in the comments! And don’t forget to like, follow, and stay tuned for more inspiring business stories! ????
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