Founder Interview
1. Name and Age
Q: Could you please introduce yourself?
A: My name is Guofu Gan. I am 43 years old.
2. Brief Career Overview
Q: How did your professional journey begin, and which industries and positions have you held?
A: I left my hometown at the age of 14 to start working and building my life. Without an ID card at that time, I had to borrow someone else’s ID to get a job. In 1999 (the year of Macau’s return), I entered my first job at a Taiwanese-managed enterprise with semi-military management—strict routines and discipline that deeply influenced my personal development and career.
I started from the bottom and, through hard work, quickly became a team leader. Four years later, I was headhunted and moved to a private company in Dongguan, also as a leader. Then I was brought back by a Taiwanese company, rising to supervisor and then section chief—the youngest ever at that time. Due to my youthful temperament, I once clashed directly with management, resulting in my departure from that field.
Later, I worked as a lace machinery apprentice in a state-owned company in Panyu, Guangdong. That was my real beginning in the lace industry. Since the early 2000s, except for a three-year break for personal reasons, I have been dedicated to this field, growing from a technician to a workshop manager, designer, and a well-known technical expert, frequently recruited by other companies.
3. Motivation for Entrepreneurship & Company Evolution
Q: What motivated you to start your own business, and how did your company evolve?
A: After getting married in 2007, I left the lace industry to settle in Xinyang, Henan, but my three-year marriage ended in divorce. During that difficult period, I tried new industries (like buttons) but eventually returned to lace, where my expertise allowed me to stand out wherever I worked. At the end of 2018, with the previous shareholders exiting, I took over the factory and officially established my own company in Shaoxing. We evolved from a processing plant serving traders to a company with our own brand and export operations, gradually building a self-sufficient sales team and integrating manufacturing and trade.
4. Industry Experience & Core Advantage
Q: What is your professional edge in the lace industry?
A: I have been in this business for over two decades, hands-on in every position—from design and machinery to production and logistics. I used my technical skills to solve key challenges for numerous factories and still enjoy mentoring on the production line. Today, our company focuses on quick sampling and customized service, with leading turnarounds and craftsmanship, plus reliable quality and competitive pricing.
5. Management Philosophy & Company Culture
Q: How would you describe your management style and values?
A: My style is pragmatic, emphasizing action and team cohesion. We prioritize efficiency and service, promising fast response and top-quality support. I believe in leading by example, integrating honesty, dedication, and initiative into our company culture. Business success comes from team effort. Through good times or tough moments, I always say: when the boss profits, the employees can thrive; only by moving forward together does it all make sense.
6. Industry Recognition & Certification
Q: What credentials and recognition has your company achieved?
A: My formal education was limited (I left school after primary grade four), but my drive to learn and work hard has established me as a “technical expert” in lace. We have achieved major international certifications such as Oeko-Tex 100 and GOTS, and earned recognition and trust from peers and customers. Our products are sold both domestically and worldwide.
7. Team Development & Young Talent
Q: How do you view the role of young talent within your team?
A: Our progress is inseparable from a hardworking young team—people like Xiaoxu and Xiaozhu—each fulfilling their responsibilities and pushing the company forward. A sense of belonging, responsibility, and mutual support is core to our company culture.
8. Digital Transformation & Platform Innovations
Q: How has your company adapted to the new era of business?
A: We actively embrace new retail and new media, working across Alibaba International, our independent website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and other platforms, with a dedicated foreign trade team. By exploring multiple channels, we seize every opportunity that emerges.
9. Future Vision
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: My aim is practical: break the 2 million RMB monthly revenue mark, make our company industry-leading, and ensure a win-win for both the team and the enterprise. We’ll keep improving our service and expanding into international markets, making “Guofu Gan” a recognized brand.
10. Personal Interests
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I am straightforward by nature, enjoy sports and trends, and value my family. My experience with setbacks and personal lows has made me cherish the present. Outside work, I continue to self-learn—whether in technical skills or the latest digital business trends.
11. Words to Partners & “Cloud Shareholders”
Q: Any message for your friends, partners, or those following your story?
A: I hope everyone, like me, will live a solid life, do honest business, and work toward shared success. With your trust, I’ll steer the company steadily into the future.
John Gan
John Gan specializes in professional lace and fabric customization, leading Shaoxing Yituo to expand globally with quality and innovation. He is committed to making the company a leading supplier through strong international partnerships.