Student Question
Hello, Master Chi. I’ve partnered with others to run a group-buying platform. External competition is fierce, and we have no significant edge in product selection, pricing, or operations. I also feel that what we’re doing doesn’t offer much real value — it’s essentially profiting from information asymmetry, plus we run a three-tier distribution system. Operating costs are high on top of that.
I’m wondering whether, in the long run, I should abandon the current platform and instead build a personal brand — selling products from other platforms myself. I feel my judgment and sales ability are decent enough to make that work.
Master Chi’s Response
The model you’re running right now is a declining model — plain and simple. You’re not providing meaningful value to your customers and followers.
If you want to grow, there are two things you need to change.
First: Genuinely love and respect them. Treat them like family and close friends — then recommend products.
Second: You must personally select the products and personally handle fulfillment. The future of community e-commerce won’t be decided by model, promotion, or scale.
The only thing that truly matters is this: What products can you find? Did you select them yourself? Did they first convince you?
You’ve probably already thought through all of this. The real problem is inertia — the habit of making money the way you always have. You’ve never actually committed to changing.
We had a member in our community named Jiaying, running group-buy flower sales in Linyi with over 8,000 female customers. She was running the exact model you described. She ended up burning through a large part of her follower base. I gave her similar advice. It wasn’t until she traveled to Yunnan this year to do firsthand research that she finally found a new direction.
So — don’t rely purely on a model or multi-tier distribution structures to make money. Simplify the business. Go out and personally select. Personally sell.
One principle: what you sell must first move you. Many people prefer chasing quick money — that mindset is understandable. Breaking out of it is genuinely difficult. But once you do, the road ahead opens wide.
Everyone wants their side business to be effortless. That’s the trap.
Question Two
Student Question
Hello, Master Chi. Our team spent over a year developing a truly all-natural, plant-based shampoo. Early feedback has been excellent — strong results in preventing hair loss, controlling oil, eliminating dandruff, and nourishing the scalp. It can also be used to wash the face and body. Raw materials and production costs are more than ten times those of ordinary hair care products. We’re currently selling it at franchise stores for 198 yuan per 250ml.
How do we open up sales channels?
Master Chi’s Response
Take this directly to the leading companies in the domestic hair care industry.
I’m not joking. When Lenovo decided to move into agriculture, a blueberry company in Huangdao came forward and said their blueberries were of exceptional quality. Lenovo acquired them. From then on, everyone knew: Lenovo has a blueberry operation.
When something is truly good, people within the same industry are far better positioned to recognize its value.
When you pitch to outsiders like us, all we hear are claims — “ten times the cost,” “pure natural.” We have no frame of reference to gauge how significant that really is. And you’d find that frustrating.
The answer is simple: prove it to the right people. Let your customers feel your rise.