In 2011, Yang Shuting’s life took an unexpected turn. A traffic accident left the then-20-year-old nurse paralyzed from the chest down, forcing her to reimagine her future. Four years later, she transformed adversity into opportunity by founding a small artificial flower workshop with her family in Hunan province. Her first sale earned just 7.7 yuan — a humble beginning memorialized in her company’s name, Qiqi Tech, inspired by the Mandarin pronunciation of the number seven (qī).
By 2017, Yang’s intricately crafted blooms had blossomed into a global enterprise, generating 42 million yuan in exports. When the pandemic disrupted international trade in 2020, she pivoted to domestic markets, establishing over 30 rural assembly hubs. Today, her business sustains more than 400 residents across Hunan, with women comprising the majority of her workforce. Many now earn stable monthly incomes, revitalizing local communities.
Yang’s story reflects broader trends in China’s rural revitalization efforts, where grassroots entrepreneurship is bridging economic gaps and empowering marginalized groups. “Every flower we make carries hope,” she remarked in a recent interview, underscoring her commitment to inclusive growth.
