Fan Xiaolong, a senior student at the School of Fine Arts and Design, Xiangnan University, told about his entrepreneurial journey with gratitude and determination, saying, “I started a business with a capital of 8,000 yuan, from a small shop to the current four affiliated enterprises, with a single store turnover exceeding 12,000 yuan per day. I also run an outdoor baking & dining bar.” He attributes the realization of his entrepreneurial dream to the local government, his school and his tutor.

In December 2024, upon hearing of the release of entrepreneurship policies, Fan Xiaolong officially launched a milk tea in bamboo tube project with his savings of 8,000 yuan. No one expected that this seemingly ordinary project would create a market miracle that he broke even on his investment within just two days and achieved profits on the third day.

As a student majoring in art and design, he keenly perceived that simple drinks are no longer sufficient to meet the spiritual needs of consumers. The key to breaking through this situation is to deeply integrate culture and products.

So, he led his team to deeply explore the cultural core of Chenzhou, transforming elements such as the myth and legend of the nine immortals and two Buddhas, the ecological resources of Mangshan, and the historical heritage of Changjuan into the appearance design, taste development, and packaging creativity of milk tea.

His milk tea brand has quickly established a presence in the market through this innovative model. Starting from the first small shop in the urban area of Chenzhou, the project gradually expanded to Huaihua city and the two popular scenic spots of Mangshan and Changjuan, becoming a “cultural souvenir” for tourists travelling in Chenzhou.

During this year's National Day holiday, the scenic area stores achieved a daily turnover of over 12,000 yuan, setting a record high since the project was launched.

Fan Xiaolong admitted that in the early stages of entrepreneurship, due to a lack of practical experience, product development failed to meet market expectations multiple times, with formula adjustments made hundreds of times, and countless raw materials wasted. But he persisted and survived.

The targeted assistance provided by the local governments to college students' entrepreneurship has become the most solid backing for Fan Xiaolong. The relevant departments not only tailored support policies for his project, but also offered to build a publicity platform, promoting it through various entrepreneurship exhibitions and cultural tourism promotion activities, making this project known to more people.

With the support of policies, their team has achieved a leapfrog development from one enterprise to four affiliated one in just a few months, and their business scope has expanded from a single beverage sales to multiple fields such as cultural and creative development and event planning.

In May of this year, Fan Xiaolong added a new entrepreneurship project - Yunqi Xiaoye Outdoor Baking and Dining Bar. This project, covering an area of 196 mu (13.07 hectares), originated from the recognition and support of local entrepreneurs for this young entrepreneurial team, actively providing venues to assist in project development.

Nowadays, this place has been developed into an immersive experience scenario that integrates flower seas in four seasons, urban farms, parent-child activities, outdoor camping, cultural and creative markets, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and aesthetic spaces.

“We have reached deep cooperation with the School of Fine Arts and Design at Xiangnan University, and will continue to develop cultural and creative products with Chenzhou characteristics here,” Fan Xiaolong said.

The team plans to integrate Chenzhou's intangible cultural heritage skills and folk culture into baking products and scene design, making “Yunqi Xiaoye” not only a good place for citizens to relax and entertain themselves, but also a window to showcase the charm of Chenzhou's culture and tourism.

The related products are expected to hit the market during the Spring Festival in 2026.

For the future, Fan Xiaolong has a clear plan to explore local cultural IPs in Hunan and create a nationally influential local brand. He also wants to use his personal experience to invite more young people with entrepreneurial dreams.

Chinese source: czxww