Why are there so many and so ruthless businesspeople from Chaoshan in Guangdong, Quanzhou in Fujian, and Wenzhou in Zhejiang? Ultimately, they are all driven by necessity. A common trait among these places is: high population, limited land. When crops in the fields couldn’t be harvested back then, what could you do? You could only run outward, seeking a way out. While making a living outside, many business skills and tricks were gradually summarized into formulas, passed down from generation to generation. A five-sentence business mantra. Take a moment to ponder—it's not just for commerce, but also useful in personal conduct.

First, from sitting merchant to walking merchant, wealth flows into the three rivers. Doing business requires good accounting; only then will the business prosper. For slightly older Wenzhou people, two keywords stand out: one is walking through alleys repairing umbrellas, and the other is bartering chicken feathers for sugar. Going out means opportunity; staying at home means problems. When you see a business opportunity, don’t mind small trades; big deals are still worth doing. As long as you keep the accounts clear, if funds are insufficient, everyone can chip in together.

Second, smile three parts when meeting people, customers won’t run away; only quality matters, do business for a lifetime. Remember, some things must be seen with the eyes, others with the heart. The smile on your face and your attitude inside are felt by customers. Likewise, whether your products are good or not, customers have the final say. Reputation is what can earn you money for a lifetime.

Third, sell the same goods in different ways, and sell sweetly like honey to move quickly. Tighten the wine, slowly pour the oil; lift the scale when selling melons and vegetables. Essentially, this boils down to two points: flexibility and integrity. The essence of doing business isn’t just the relationship between people and goods, but between people. The so-called different profits among peers are not mainly about management, but about character. When the person is right, things go smoothly; if the person isn’t capable, even good products won’t make money.

Fourth, measure the clothes before tailoring, and survey the market before doing business. If you don’t get accurate information, you’re bound to lose money. Many people make the same mistake when assessing a project: only listen to others’ words, but don’t observe their actions. Here, I teach you two dumb but effective methods: one is to squat at the factory, the other is to stay at the store. If you say your store’s business is good, I’ll stand outside for a week—whether it’s true or not will be obvious. How many goods are produced each day, I can see clearly. Not enough time? Then stay for a month. No one’s money comes from the wind. To gauge the situation, the worst outcome is to do nothing; but it’s better than blindly investing and losing everything.

Fifth, listen more to what customers say; business is right in front of your eyes. When customers praise you, it’s better than advertising. Many think that being eloquent is a skill, but actually, listening is the real skill. Listen for motives, demands, and concerns. If you don’t understand clearly, the more you talk, the more you’ll suffer losses. Many people know this skill, but they don’t use it sincerely. Today’s people aren’t fools; if your motives are too obvious and your gains and losses too strong, it will be seen through immediately. The best strategy in this era is to avoid strategies altogether.

Fifth, doing business isn’t a game of chance. It’s 99 precise calculations plus one decisive move. Whether you’re a street vendor or a big boss of a listed company, those who survive are the same: ruthless characters who can both pick up coins from the ground and look up at the stars.

May your business be steady, your heart upright, and wealth come from all directions.