Li Guoyong is a young entrepreneurial leader in the 86th Regiment who became wealthy through his own efforts
When people talk about Li Guoyong, a young worker of the 86th Regiment, everyone knows who he is. He is an entrepreneurial leader who became wealthy. Not only did he become rich himself, but he also led the impoverished workers around him onto the path of prosperity.
Li Guoyong has adopted an integrated business model of growing, storing and selling, and now possesses over 1 million yuan in capital. A young agricultural worker only 35 years old, in just five short years, relying on his own wisdom and hard work, he has explored a successful path to wealth through entrepreneurship.
Arriving at ** and Determined to Start a Business
In 2011, Li Guoyong came from his hometown in Henan to the Second Horticulture Company of the 86th Regiment under the ** Fifth Division. At the time, with his parents' support, he decided to settle in the company and grow grapes. That year he contracted 60 mu of grapes. But he did not understand cultivation techniques. He understood that high-quality products come from advanced technology and scientific management. In order to integrate his Red Globe grapes into the market, he actively participated in winter "Green Certificate Class" training for workers to improve his own capabilities. He frequently consulted technicians and conscientiously implemented stage-based target management for grapes. Because the vines were planted that year and there was nothing to do at autumn harvest, he decided to help fruit growers sell grapes to increase income.
Because he lacked capital, he had to help a boss collect grapes on commission, earning a labor fee of 0.2 yuan per kilogram. He worked from dawn to dusk every day, too busy to eat, strictly controlling quality. That year he earned 180,000 yuan. This sparked his idea of pursuing an integrated business model of growing, storing and selling.
Targeting the Industry and Starting a Business Through Hardship
There is no turning back once the arrow is shot. Li Guoyong went to Guangzhou to visit and investigate, gaining an in-depth understanding of the grape market conditions. After a round of market research, combined with the successful examples of other bosses selling grapes, Li Guoyong decided to engage in an integrated business model of grape growing, storage and sales. In 2015, when the company was undergoing transformation and the regiment supported policies for youth entrepreneurship, he decided to raise 500,000 yuan on the basis of his grape growing to build a 500-ton cold storage facility at the Second Horticulture Company of the 86th Regiment, to facilitate grape storage and sales. On one hand, it could be rented out for income; on the other hand, it was convenient for his own storage and sales. Thus began his entrepreneurial journey and opened up the sky of entrepreneurship for a young person in the vast world of the company.
Storms gather without warning. In 2015, a heat wave with temperatures reaching 40°C that had not been seen in ten years persisted for half a month. The grapes suffered disaster, the root system could not absorb water and fertilizer, and the grapes became soft. When he actively took measures against the high temperatures by laying down weeds, he ultimately lost nearly 100,000 yuan. But the high temperatures did not discourage Li Guoyong. He firmly believed in his choice and judgment regarding the grape market. That year he raised over 300,000 yuan to purchase grapes from fruit growers and help sell them. He used the funds from harvesting, pre-cooling and selling his own grapes as working capital. Unexpectedly, this year the Red Globe market conditions were poor. He had purchased 12 truckloads of Red Globe grapes, over 300 tons, at 3.8 yuan per kilogram, but could not sell them on the market. Yet he could not haul them back, so he had no choice but to sell them cheaply at 2 yuan per kilogram. In one stroke he lost over 300,000 yuan.
Li Guoyong wanted to cry but had no tears. What was he to do? Fruit growers were also facing the prospect of unsold grapes. Li Guoyong thought: I cannot quit just because I suffered losses. What would happen to the fruit growers then? So he purchased and stored the fruit growers' grapes, waiting until after the peak season to sell them, since he had built his own cold storage anyway. He rented out two cold storage units and earned 80,000 yuan in additional income, and used another for his own storage, selling slowly. Under his careful management, he purchased nearly 1,000 tons of Red Globe grapes from nearby fruit growers at relatively high prices, and after the peak season earned over 200,000 yuan in sales revenue. He also helped nearby fruit growers solve their sales difficulties. At the same time, he hired more than ten impoverished workers to use their spare time to purchase, load, unload and manage the cold storage for him, earning them 30,000-40,000 yuan.
Not Forgetting His Roots and Driving Transformation
Close or not, fellow townspeople are the closest. With modest success in his career, Li Guoyong set even greater goals. The Second Horticulture Company was his second hometown. The entire company had 473 households and over 1,300 people, and had been growing grapes since 2003, with 7,500 mu of grapes in the whole company. In 2015, due to high temperatures, the company's total grape output was over 4,500 tons, with an output value of nearly 20 million yuan. Prices plummeted, and everyone in the company was extremely anxious. If things continued this way, fruit growers' incomes would be severely affected, and company transformation was imperative!
Li Guoyong was just as anxious as his fellow villagers, but because of his experience growing grapes in previous years, he had confidence in the grape market. Therefore, he mobilized everyone in the company to cooperate with him in growing Crimson Seedless grapes. The fruit growers would be responsible for planting, and he would be responsible for helping to sell. After a round of on-site investigation, the Second Horticulture Company adjusted its planting structure. Crimson Seedless grapes had always sold well at 10.5 yuan per kilogram, and Crimson Seedless is also drought-tolerant. The fruit growers voluntarily renewed their plantings, and their confidence in growing Crimson Seedless increased greatly. This year, fruit growers who planted 15 mu of Crimson Seedless generally had annual incomes exceeding 100,000 yuan. They told reporters: "We have witnessed Li Guoyong's development over these years with our own eyes, and we have also visited the grape market in Guangzhou on site. We believe that cooperating with Li Guoyong in grape growing has prospects, and it will transform our company from simply growing grapes for wealth to a one-stop path to prosperity through growing, storing and selling!" Therefore, at present, many fruit growers have already cut down their Red Globe grapevines and firmly transitioned to growing Crimson Seedless grapes.
Li Guoyong became wealthy, but he did not forget the fellow villagers who had helped him. Whenever anyone encountered difficulties and told him about them, he would support them without hesitation and extend a helping hand.
I remember that year, Lü Xing's son Lü Yuanchao was suddenly in a car accident and was being resuscitated in the emergency center, needing 40,000 yuan for surgery. Lü Xing was anxiously trying to borrow money everywhere. When Li Guoyong learned of the situation, he immediately took the initiative to bring 40,000 yuan, solving his urgent need. Lü Xing was so moved that tears streamed down his face: "Thank you, you are our lifesaver."
Wang Fengzhuan's daughter was admitted to university but had no money to attend. After learning of the situation, he extended a helping hand and personally placed 4,500 yuan in tuition into her hands, and wished the child well in her studies. Wang Fengzhuan said emotionally: "Thank you. In the future I will also let my child learn from you and take pleasure in helping others."
There are countless instances like this of him helping others through difficult times. He has also helped impoverished workers such as Zu Yuhong, Zheng Gangjian, Yao Lianhe and Liu Chaohui through difficulties and increase their incomes. Up to now, the financial assistance he has provided totals over 200,000 yuan. He often says: "Now I have the ability to help them. They only come to me when they are in difficulty. I help as much as I can."
Harboring Dreams and Striving to Grow Bigger and Stronger
As for the future, Li Guoyong has his own grand blueprint for his career, in line with the local new rural development plan. He said: "My goal is to develop a 500-mu grape base within two years. This year I plan to invest another 1 million yuan to expand production, planting 240 mu of Crimson Seedless and 60 mu of Red Globe. In the time ahead, I will build my own brand, focus on quality and introduce my own specialty products."
Li Guoyong's entrepreneurial experience has been affirmed by all sectors of society. Without a bout of frost and hardship, how could the plum blossom be so fragrant? Li Guoyong, a young man determined to start his own business, a modern knowledgeable youth rooted in the company and breaking new ground, a promising young man who not only enriches himself but also drives impoverished workers to prosperity together, will surely write a brilliant chapter in his entrepreneurial journey in the days to come!