#36 Fred Raposo – Tapping into the power of people
Originally from France, Fred’s career began first in retail management and then key account management for an multinational company. He and his wife landed in Shanghai in 2006 and for a number of years, Fred worked for a Chinese company and dramatically impacted their international business development. It was through that success that he created his own consulting company, Aim Result, in 2012. Additionally, two years later, he co-founded www.shanghaicontactme.com where people can inquire of needs like real estate, office space, company incorporation…etc, and then Fred and his team guides them to the best price and the best value service providers.
This is an incredible time to be in China and experience a unique point in history. Enjoy it!
Show Notes
How he got to China
Fred first came as a student in Hangzhou in 1998 and he shares how tough it was as a foreigner in a smaller city back at that time. After meeting and marrying his wife, they repatriated back to France for a number of years until an opportunity came up for his wife to head up a subsidiary company here in Shanghai in 2008. They’ve been here every since and Fred has had incredible opportunities to work for a Chinese company as well as do his own entrepreneurial thing.
His current project
Like many entrepreneurs, Fred juggles a couple of different projects. Aim Result, opened in 2012, came as a direct result of the success he had seen with the Chinese company. It’s focus is to help foreign companies successfully enter the Chinese market. Additionally, in 2014, Fred opened www.shanghaicontactme.com which specializes in helping foreign individuals and companies to find the best price for value suppliers here in China. Both of these businesses are all about people which is what keeps Fred happy and motivated to succeed!
Biggest challenge
Fred sees all challenges as learning experiences, especially this one! When launching Aim Result, his first intention was to help Chinese SMEs clean up their marketing materials, websites, etc to put on a better face for the international market. After 6 months of learning, interviewing, asking and meeting with potential clients, he discovered this wasn’t going to work (tune in to hear why!). In the end, he switched his strategy to focus on helping foreigners enter China instead.
Lessons learned along the way
- Have a client or two and experience in the industry before really jumping into entrepreneurship – not having any income for any period of time is tough.
- Make a move and adjust as you go along – flexibility is a must-have trait for any successful entrepreneur.
- Find your niche to successfully surpass competition.
How Fred stays motivated
Fred needs people to keep him upbeat, so his favorite way to connect is lunch, where he can exchange challenges and get motivated by friends and colleagues. After all, you have to eat, right, so why not make it a productive use of your time connecting and meeting and making new friends?
Episode Links
www.aimresult.com
www.shanghaicontactme.com
www.alltradedata.com (soon)
Tony Robbins – motivational speaker
The 4-Hour Work Week, by Timothy Ferriss
The Lean Startup, by Eric Ries
Harvard Business Review magazine, US version
Entrepreneur (Android app related to the magazine)
Linkedin
Wechat
Connect to Fred
Definitely take Fred up on his offer to connect (and maybe even meet over lunch!)
Email: frederic.raposo@aimresult.com
Wechat: fred2u
www.aimresult.com
www.shanghaicontactme.com
www.alltradedata.com (soon)
