When “Learning the Hard Way” Costs You ¥5,000

I’d love to tell you this is a success story. That I launched a business and made my first big sale. That I stayed calm, calculated, and deeply in control.
But nah. This is a story about getting burned, and coming out a little smarter on the other side.

Let’s rewind.

I’ve been trying to find a business I actually like to launch. And, like every human being, I’ve tried a couple of things here and there, but nothing had really stuck. Still, I’m hanging in there, learning, and working on it.

So when I asked one of my friends how she launched her business, we started chatting. One thing led to another… and suddenly we were launching one together, right here in China. She had a friend who owned a bag factory, so we could get bags cheaper than in other places, or so I was told, with more flexibility if we bought in bulk.

Fast forward: the bags were more expensive than what other factories offered, and the quality? Definitely not matching the price.

We both invested some money — ¥5,000 each (almost $700) — and split responsibilities. She had the supplier connection. I had the branding vision. I was in charge of content and international comms. She would handle local sales and client communication in Chinese.

In theory? A vibe.
In reality? A crash course in what not to do when starting a business.

One of the reasons I felt at ease was because she already had another business. She seemed confident, experienced, and organized — at least from the outside. She kept telling me how successful her company was, and I believed her.
Spoiler: She didn’t bring any of that energy to this project.

Her way of handling things was messy, vague, and careless. Communication? A lot of things were happening on our Chinese social media, and I wasn’t getting any of those updates. Priorities got blurred, and trust slowly evaporated — kind of like my hopes of ever selling those bags.

The cherry on top? The first bag she “sold” went to her cousin… with a 60% discount. But wait, it gets better: her cousin didn’t even pay. The remaining “payment” was covered when the cousin’s friend invited her out to dinner. And somehow… that was supposed to count as marketing?
She didn’t tell me (and wasn’t planning to) until after asking non-stop for pictures of all the transfers, she had to confess that, for that “sale,” the only actual transfer she received was for 580 yuan.

Eventually, I asked her to send me the bags that were technically mine. At that point, I just wanted closure (and maybe to gift one to my mom as a peace offering to the universe). So now I have five brand-new bags that I definitely don’t need and that aren’t even my taste, because we chose them based on what would sell in the Chinese market.

Did I lose money? Maybe, but maybe I’ll sell them, or maybe I’ll keep them… haven’t figure that out yet.
Did I lose a friend? Definitely, absolutely, affirmative, correctly, sure yes I did.
Did I gain a solid business partner, a real brand, and an actual long-term plan somewhere else? Hell yes.

What I Learned (So You Don’t Have To)

1. Never confuse “good vibes” with a good business plan.
Just because someone’s cool (or already has a business) doesn’t mean they’re ready to run this one with you. You need structure, shared values, and clear boundaries, not just shared Google Docs and vibes.

2. Always have everything in writing.
If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist. Period.

3. Ask for receipts. Literally.
Proof of payments, transfers, agreements — everything. Just because you trust someone doesn’t mean they’re doing things by the book.

4. If you feel like the only one taking it seriously, you probably are.
If you’re planning content calendars and logistics while they’re freestyling — that’s your red flag.

5. Always get your bags. Literally and metaphorically.
Even if the business flops, claim what’s yours. It’s not just about self-respect — it’s about getting your share of the work and the money you put in. Don’t let a failed partnership erase your effort.

6. And the most important one: TRUST. YOUR. GUT.
If something feels off, run. Don’t wait for “proof.” Your intuition is the proof.

I felt embarrassed for a while. Then angry. Then dumb.
But honestly? Dumb in a good way, like, “damn, if I only knew what I know now.” But that’s the thing: now I do. Which means I learned.

Now I just think of it as my prequel — the messy first attempt that showed me what kind of entrepreneur I don’t want to be. And that’s just as valuable.

But hey, like my good friend ChatGPT told me: some people learned the same lessons… after losing way more money.

So, here I am. Venting on my blog. Wiser, a little bruised (mentally and morally), with one more joke in my pocket — and ready to build something that actually reflects who I am and where I’m going.