RobinConnect
Your window into China’s real business world
A clear, honest view of how business in China actually works. Stories, field notes, and ground insight from Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
RobinConnect
A clear, honest view of how business in China actually works. Stories, field notes, and ground insight from Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
interviews
Charley Shen has spent the last 15 years inside the supply chains that power global hardware, starting from components, moving through sourcing, and now helping overseas founders scale full-stack hardware products from Shenzhen.
interviews
If your hardware idea is still on paper or halfway through a rough prototype, Carson Lin has a message for you: “The most expensive problems in hardware aren’t in R&D or manufacturing. They’re in all the wrong assumptions made in between.” Carson spent 7 years at
interviews
This is not a startup announcement or a success story. It’s an early-stage exploration of how hardware ideas form, where they tend to break down, and how places like Shenzhen shape what happens both before and after companies exist.
interviews
Since last year, Samuel has been moving between the US and Shenzhen while building early hardware projects. This story follows what shapes hardware ideas before a company exists — cost, iteration, and the decision to show up in person.
interviews
Shenzhen lawyer Vicky from Yingke Law Firm shares legal insights for foreign entrepreneurs in China, from contracts and IP protection to dispute resolution. Learn how to avoid common risks and operate safely in the Chinese market.
ON-SITE
In 2024, about 55 percent of Shenzhen’s GDP came from manufacturing and high-tech industries. That’s roughly 275 billion US dollars, according to public data. The city is not only strong in innovation across fields like information technology, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, biotech, and new energy. It’s also still
Leo’s 20 year journey spans from power systems to smart security exports. Quietly adapting to market shifts, he now focuses on overseas growth balancing industrial roots with evolving consumer needs. A grounded story of persistence and reinvention from Shenzhen.
In fast-paced Hong Kong, David built a sleep brand inspired by his mom’s insomnia and his own restless nights. What began as a quiet product test is now a growing global business — built slow, clear, and strong, without sacrificing rest.
Most people think success in manufacturing comes from having capital, connections, or a clever product idea. But for Chen Jiao, it started with none of those. He didn’t go to college. He didn’t have investors. What he did have was time, grit, and a willingness to learn from
Fourteen years ago, Chandler Huang walked into his first gaming job with nothing but an English degree, a love of games, and a bit of luck. Back then, China’s gaming industry wasn’t what it is today. “I didn’t even know we had a real gaming scene,” he
Ryn never studied design, but her instinct helped shape a brand—one decision at a time. Ryn didn’t enter fashion through the front door. She didn’t have a design degree, startup capital, or a plan. But over the years, she’s become the kind of person you want
Vivian went from London’s high-fashion circles to running a thriving MCN (Multi-Channel Network) agency in Shenzhen—generating over 1 million RMB from Red Note alone in just six months, with zero ad spend and only 115 followers. Her story is a masterclass in spotting opportunities, moving fast, and letting
When I met Appie—a Dutch entrepreneur from Gouda—in Shenzhen, I could tell right away he had a story worth sharing. He left behind a 14-year IT career, traded the stability of office life for a backpack, and ended up starting a business in a city he never even
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