According to Alibaba statistics, there are more woman online retailers than men. They are better rated. And more likely to get loans that further fuel their businesses. (Photo/CGTN)
Shoes... that's what first got Wang Fei into the world of e-commerce.
Hooked on quality shoes, she started selling her own unwanted pairs on e-commerce platform Taobao for some extra pocket money more than 10 years ago. Now, her online store - selling shoes and bags - brings in around 100,000 yuan every month, that's 14,000 U.S. dollars.
She said her secret to success is simple: provide high quality goods, and make the clients feel that they are valued.
That means responding to each client inquiry within 60 seconds... and working late into the night most days. But Wang says she enjoys it more than any 9-to-5 job she ever had. And it's more rewarding than attending the concrete shop. Just to grow her online one, she has applied for hundreds business support loans directly from Alibaba - the e-commerce group which owns Taobao.
Wang told CGTN that "I use all my loans to expand the range of merchandise. Doing this job, you're never satisfied and always want to offer more to customers."
Wang is also closing her brick-and-mortar shop to focus on e-commerce. She's now planning to open another online one specializing in her new interest: cosmetics.
And she's not alone in this booming, on-line, she-economy.
According to Alibaba statistics, there are more woman online retailers than men. They are better rated. And more likely to get loans that further fuel their businesses.
Experts say this is all part of the latest trend in online commerce.
Li Changan, professor of labor economics with University of International Business and Economics said, "E-commerce and the internet have been very liberating. There are now no limits on things like location, time, or age. This is especially good for women. They are believed to be trust-worthy and careful with what they do. I think women will play an even bigger role in e-commerce. They will be the next big force that drives the economy."
Wang now asks her friends who want to dip a toe in the e-commerce waters to help her out during busy periods. She is confident that what started out as selling shoes ten year ago, will still be driving her career ten years from now.
