First-mover advantage can be huge if you have a compelling brand promise. But, a fast-follower strategy can be highly effective if you have a point of superiority. Building markets is a high-risk high-reward exercise.
Really enjoyed this piece, Veronica! It’s a great reminder to keep pushing through and keep an abundance mindset when you’re just starting out and going against the grain!
I started my Substack as a way to share yoga classes - it feels like the perfect place to create connection and community around movement! But it’s definitely different from its “writing platform” roots. We’ll see what happens, but my hope is that I’ll look back one day and reflect on being a “first mover!”
The way you seamlessly merge your story and experience with real facts of successful first-movers plus a handful of great CTA are a stroke of genius. Moving to China on your on was a bold move.
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't set foot in (mainland) China yet...and the rest of my family has!
The fact that you picked up Mandarin and navigated that whole process is beyond impressive. I've been speaking (now yelling) it for most of my life, and getting my kids to listen and keep it in their ear until it's useful to them is a scary challenge as a parent in a bilingual and bicultural environment.
I call this concept "the first penguin"...just the thought of being one makes everything much less scary (except the polar bear part...hopped up on cocaine...)
Yes, Vince, it wasn't easy, especially back then when no one spoke English and there were no smartphones.
Everything was written in Chinese and I actually signed my tenancy agreement in Chinese without knowing what it meant. I often joked that it could have been a marriage agreement with my greedy agent.
Now I'm trying to pass it on to my daughters too.
I like to be the first penguin but I'm not sure about the polar bear on cocaine...
Lol, that last part was a reference to that crazy "Cocaine Bear" movie that was rather popular last year (?).
I did spend two years working in Taiwan while my wife was pregnant with our first child, and that was pretty intense. Everything took way too long, and I was so rusty. My major takeaway from that was a much better understanding of what my parents went through when they came to the US, and I appreciate their sacrifices far more than I did before that experience!
I love how your passion for sport and writing merge together for messages of inspiration like this Veronica - great story and photo of you in your 20’s too 💖
You are unstoppable ❤️ strong bias for action 😂
Definitely unstoppable 😅
First-mover advantage can be huge if you have a compelling brand promise. But, a fast-follower strategy can be highly effective if you have a point of superiority. Building markets is a high-risk high-reward exercise.
That’s absolutely right, Edward.
Apple was actually a fast follower, not the pioneer.
It’s probably the smartest way to do it: let others test the waters first and once you see the opportunity is there, jump on board.
Many entrepreneurs have no clue how much out of pocket it costs to build a market. That cost is incremental to promoting your brand.
Really enjoyed this piece, Veronica! It’s a great reminder to keep pushing through and keep an abundance mindset when you’re just starting out and going against the grain!
I started my Substack as a way to share yoga classes - it feels like the perfect place to create connection and community around movement! But it’s definitely different from its “writing platform” roots. We’ll see what happens, but my hope is that I’ll look back one day and reflect on being a “first mover!”
Hi Kait,
You are definitely a first-mover and I love your idea of creating a virtual community of yogis!
It's different and it might take a while to take off, but once it does, you are in for the win!
Thank you for sharing your story too, love it!
Thank you, Veronica!
In the world of millions of products and services. It is hard to come up/find something new that isn't just an improvement of the old.
I still believe it can be done.
We just need the courage to follow our gut when needed.
The courage to follow our gut - that's the key.
Thank you, Ebere.
The way you seamlessly merge your story and experience with real facts of successful first-movers plus a handful of great CTA are a stroke of genius. Moving to China on your on was a bold move.
Thank you, Roy, I'm so happy you liked the story!
Blending in your personal stories with facts and business is a good way to keep a balance between being authentic and building authority.
Yes, moving to China solo back then was a bit crazy but totally worth it.
PS: it's great to see you so active on Substack!
I aim to fit in time every day for a Note or two as well as commenting on a few Notes and posts that i find valuable.
That’s the best way to grow: by showing up and engaging with others.
Keep it up, Roy!
PS: check out the collab opportunities in the paid subscribers chat. You might find something there.
I'm ashamed to say that I haven't set foot in (mainland) China yet...and the rest of my family has!
The fact that you picked up Mandarin and navigated that whole process is beyond impressive. I've been speaking (now yelling) it for most of my life, and getting my kids to listen and keep it in their ear until it's useful to them is a scary challenge as a parent in a bilingual and bicultural environment.
I call this concept "the first penguin"...just the thought of being one makes everything much less scary (except the polar bear part...hopped up on cocaine...)
Yes, Vince, it wasn't easy, especially back then when no one spoke English and there were no smartphones.
Everything was written in Chinese and I actually signed my tenancy agreement in Chinese without knowing what it meant. I often joked that it could have been a marriage agreement with my greedy agent.
Now I'm trying to pass it on to my daughters too.
I like to be the first penguin but I'm not sure about the polar bear on cocaine...
Lol, that last part was a reference to that crazy "Cocaine Bear" movie that was rather popular last year (?).
I did spend two years working in Taiwan while my wife was pregnant with our first child, and that was pretty intense. Everything took way too long, and I was so rusty. My major takeaway from that was a much better understanding of what my parents went through when they came to the US, and I appreciate their sacrifices far more than I did before that experience!
I didn't know about the movie, lol, now I get it.
Guess what: I also lived first in Taiwan to learn Chinese and then I moved to Shanghai where I lived for 3 years.
It's lovely what you said about better understanding the efforts your parents made.
I love how your passion for sport and writing merge together for messages of inspiration like this Veronica - great story and photo of you in your 20’s too 💖
Thank you, Shelly and yes, I always inspire other writers and creators to bring their different passions into their work.
It's a great way to show our uniqueness and connect the dots between different aspects of our life. 🫶🏻
Love it.
Thank you Jeanine!
I bet you didn't expect to see 20-something year old me in China today ;)
Always: take risks, be bold and don’t be afraid to fall. You will get back up stronger
Hello,
I'm so happy you enjoyed the article!
A bit more about The Lemon Tree Mindset and how I'm building my community:
- Paid Subscribers gives you access to:
Exclusive articles to help with things like writing, publishing and content creation.
Monthly webinars (live or on demand). The sessions are interactive so that I can tackle real challenges and we all share and participate.
Exclusive Thread: to get members to know each other
- Founding Members get all of that + 1 hour of customized coaching with me.
I would say if you are looking for resources and a community, the paid membership is enough.
If you want personalized feedback and a customized strategy, then you can consider becoming a Founding Member.
Hope this helps!