Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.
Jack Ma started Alibaba with 18 friends and $60,000 of their own money…none borrowed from VCs, parents or otherwise.
He came upon the name at a San Francisco restaurant when talking to a waitress. He liked it because Alibaba is pronounced the same everywhere in the world and it became a business opportunity for everyone in China.
In 2002, Jack said he faced his most difficult times. “Everyone,”, he said, “wanted to leave the company.”
Even he was discouraged. But, he found inspiration at a church. From God….nope. The preacher quoted Winston Churchhill in his sermon when Churchhill spoke to the troops during WWII. Churchhill’s famous words, “Never never never never never never never give up!” hit Ma’s heart and he decided that he, too should never give up.
Ma has a vision for Alibaba…to create a million jobs at Alibaba and 10 million small companies in China by 2009. Already, he says, 400,000 people depend on his country.
Humble beginnings and great heights. Jack Ma did it and is still climbing.
What can you do?