Richard Liu Then Richard Liu, born Liu Qiangdong on March 10, 1973, in Suqian, Jiangsu, China, has a background that laid the foundation for his future as a successful entrepreneur.  Growing up in a family involved in the coal shipping business, Liu was exposed to the complexities of trade and commerce from an early age.  […]

Anthony Wood Then Anthony Wood was born on December 4, 1965, in Manchester, England, and his early life was marked by significant geographical transitions.  At the age of 13, he relocated to the Netherlands with his family, where he experienced a diverse culture that likely influenced his later work.  Eventually, Wood settled in Texas, a

Tony Hsieh Then Tony Hsieh, born on December 12, 1973, in Illinois, experienced a significant shift in his early life when his family relocated to California shortly after his birth.  His parents, Richard and Judy Hsieh, were Taiwanese immigrants who met while studying at the University of Illinois.  This multicultural background influenced Hsieh’s perspective and

Steve Chen Then Steve Chen, born on August 18, 1978, in Taipei, Taiwan, is a prominent figure in the tech world, best known as one of the co-founders of YouTube.  At the age of eight, he and his family immigrated to Prospect Heights, Illinois, where he would spend much of his formative years.  This transition

Jawed Karim Then Jawed Karim was born on October 28, 1979, in Merseburg, East Germany, to Bangladeshi parents. At just two years old, he and his family made a courageous decision to escape the oppressive environment of East Germany, where they faced communist xenophobia. Their journey led them across the East-West German border, marking the

Chad Hurley Then Chad Hurley, born on January 24, 1977, in Reading, Pennsylvania, has made a significant impact in the tech world as a co-founder of YouTube, but his journey began in a humble setting.  Growing up in a close-knit family in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, Hurley was the second of three children, with an older sister,

Robin Li Then Robin Li Yanhong, commonly known as Robin Li, was born on November 17, 1968, in Yangquan, Shanxi, China.  Growing up in a modest household, he was the only boy among five siblings, with parents who worked in factories.  This background instilled in him a strong work ethic and a determination to excel

Lei Jun Then Lei Jun, born on December 16, 1969, in Xiantao, Hubei, grew up in an underdeveloped area of rural China.  His early years were shaped by the backdrop of a post-Cultural Revolution in China, where his parents worked as teachers—a profession that had lost much of its status during that time.  His father’s

Ma Huateng Then Ma Huateng, also known as Pony Ma, was born on October 29, 1971, in Chaoyang, Shantou, Guangdong, China.  He grew up during a time of rapid economic and technological development in China, particularly in the southern city of Shenzhen, where his father worked as a port manager.  Accompanying his father to work

Jack Ma Then Jack Ma, born Ma Yun on September 10, 1964, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, showed an early passion for learning English.  Growing up in a time when China was relatively isolated from the rest of the world, Ma found creative ways to practice the language.  As a young boy, he frequently visited the