90s entrepreneur brings rural charm to online audience, boosting local economy
en.ptnet.cn | Updated:2025-01-02 | Lin Kongbo, StephanieMingming trying to sell farm chickens via livestream
A young entrepreneur from Pingtan, China, has captured the hearts of thousands with her innovative approach to selling local produce. Meet Minmin, a 90s-born girl who, after years of exploring the world, decided to return home to help her community thrive.
Mingming takes a commemorative photo with her grandmother.
"I wanted to be close to my 90-year-old grandmother and find a way to support our neighbors who were struggling to sell their produce," Minmin shared. Her solution? Live streaming on social media platforms, showcasing Pingtan's unique agricultural gems such as dried sweet potatoes, sweet potato flour, peanuts, and free-range eggs.
Mingming pictured testing the quality by tasting the shredded radish from a farmer's home
Villager smiles after Mingming helps her sell all the goods.
Minmin's days are filled with driving her van around the village, collecting goods from eager farmers. "It's a challenge because each farmer has limited quantities, and they're scattered all over," she admitted. But she personally tastes each product to ensure quality, turning her live streams into a trusted marketplace.
Mingming pictured settling the payment with sheep-selling villager
One particularly heartwarming story involved helping a local woman named Gao sell her sheep. "I spent three days straight, from dawn to dusk, live streaming in her sheep pen," Minmin recounted. Her dedication didn't just sell the sheep; it built trust and gratitude within the community.
Screenshot of Mingming's published work
Mingming's life in the village
Beyond just a sales platform, Minmin's live streams are filled with stories that give her products a human touch. "I take time to edit videos of my daily life in the village, showing where the produce comes from and what rural life is really like," she explained.
Looking ahead, Minmin plans to expand her offerings, including selling fresh vegetables from elderly villagers. "I want to connect consumers directly with the farmers, letting them see and understand the hard work behind each product," she emphasized.
Minmin's journey is deeply personal. "I'm grateful for my grandmother's support, and I have her photo as my background on my social media accounts," she said. Her initiative not only supports her family but also contributes to Pingtan's economic revitalization, showcasing the power of individual action in rural revitalization efforts.
With over 27,000 followers on her social media platform, Minmin's impact is growing. Her story is not just about the success of a young entrepreneur but also about the potential of technology to bridge the gap between consumers and rural producers.