Italian entrepreneur finds life in Shanghai

World
Europe

04:32

"Tall and handsome! That's my first impression about him," Leonard Vos' wife Sarah Lu told CGTN. After being together for nearly eight years, the couple was married in Shanghai this October.

Leonard Vos and Sarah Lu /CGTN Photo

Business in Shanghai

Vos, a 29-year-old native Italian, started his own international consulting business in Shanghai seven years after moving to the city, looking to help small and medium-sized European enterprises to import and distribute their products on the Chinese market.

His shared office space is located in one of Shanghai's busiest areas. "We are a small business, so renting a big office is not a good deal for us," Vos said. "The city has so many shared offices for startups right now, especially in recent years."

Leonard Vos working in his office in Shanghai, China. /CGTN Photo

The market for advertising and selling products and services on Chinese social media platforms is growing. More and more public relations firms are taking notice of the expanding market, and offering potential clients advertising solutions in a race to take control of it.

As an international consultant, Vos has a role in the growing online sales battle. However, regarding his position, he told CGTN that there is actually “no competition.”

"I've never met the other people who do this. For me, I act more like an employee of our customers, like an area manager for hire," Vos said, adding, "I bring this market closer to them."

For many overseas companies, entering the Chinese market, especially when it comes to localizing products and following Chinese import regulations, is daunting.

But Vos has a different opinion on China's regulations. "China is a controlled market... But this also makes sure that when you want to import and stock in China, you are committed to a serious investment, and you are taking this project very seriously," Vos said.

Life in Shanghai

Vos came to Shanghai in 2010 for the World Expo. And since then, the connection between him and the city has never ended.

"The first time I came to Shanghai, I just fell in love with the city," Vos said.

Leonard Vos and Sarah Lu walking a dog on a street in Shanghai, China. /CGTN Photo

Vos and his wife moved to a Shanghai district a few years ago, which had been part of the city's former French Concession, not only for the French-style architecture and sycamore trees there but also because it's where they first met.

"I saw her walking this dog on the road several times, and one time I just approached her and started talking to her. That's how it started,” Vos recalled.

Leonard Vos and Sarah Lu in a restaurant in Shanghai, China. /CGTN Photo

A foreigner starting a new relationship in China is nothing new, but there are still cultural differences to overcome.

"Difficulties in a relationship like this are not very different from difficulties in any other relationship," Vos said. "For me, the culture aspect didn't play a very important role."

"I think it's more about your personality, your background and your ideas for life," Lu added.

After spending so much of his adult life in Shanghai, the young Italian entrepreneur has gained memorable experiences about the city.

"Eight years taught me a lot," Vos said. "Shanghai is definitely a big part of my life. It changed my mindset, then the way I use my brain in many aspects of my life.”

Production Team

Director: Anosi Wang

Reporters: Yang Xinmeng, Li Ningning

Editor: Anosi Wang

Filmed by: Anosi Wang, Geng Zhibin

Article written by: Anosi Wang

Copy Editor: Matthew Watson

Producer: Wen Yaru

Chief Editor: Lin Dongwei

Supervisor: Mei Yan