E-Commerce Business Owner Makes Connections Through 10KSB

Zhao Liu networked with entrepreneurs looking to advance their online sales with Amazon

Zhao Liu is fluent in Mandarin and has worked in engineering, research and development, and marketing. These experiences gave him the tools to establish a successful e-commerce business, hunting down niches in every corner of the market.

Liu founded the online retail and wholesale company Flynn Ming in Richmond Heights in 2014. He was invited to apply to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) by SCORE, a nonprofit organization offering services to new and established business owners. After doing some research, he was impressed with the program’s content.

"I have been describing the program as a fast-track MBA specifically made for entrepreneurs, which is exactly what I needed," Liu said.

Liu applied for the program to learn how to hire and manage more employees, but he also discovered a network of business owners with similar aspirations.

Flynn Ming sells its products on Amazon as a private label retailer. Liu was excited to meet other business owners in the program who want to sell their products on Amazon.

"I am looking forward to having more mentorship or partnership opportunities with other 10KSB alumni to bring success for their products on Amazon," Liu said.

Flynn Ming is launching its first product in Europe in October, with more lined up.

"One of our advantages is that we can move fast, utilizing our connections with manufacturers, logistic partners, efficient warehousing and marketing solutions," Liu said. "We can bring private label products from ideas to the market in record time."

Most importantly, 10KSB gave Liu the confidence to launch new products under his private brand and grow his business.

"The 10KSB has inspired me to think outside the box while I continue to launch more of my own private label products," Liu said.

Learn more on the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses website.

May 03, 2024

By Noelle Bye, 216-987-4747 noelle.bye@tri-c.edu