她，山东女首富，身家500亿，成本15元卖5000元，靠智商税发家？

Core Insights - Zhao Yan, the richest woman in Shandong, has a net worth of 50 billion, largely attributed to her success in the beauty industry with hyaluronic acid, which has a cost of only 15 yuan but sells for 5000 yuan, highlighting a significant price disparity and consumer willingness to pay for beauty [1][22]. Group 1: Background and Early Career - Zhao Yan graduated from East China Normal University and initially worked as a teacher, a stable job for women at the time, but she sought more adventurous opportunities in business [3]. - In 1987, she decided to leave her teaching position to explore business opportunities in Hainan, which was then a hotspot for entrepreneurs [5]. Group 2: Business Ventures - Zhao Yan's first major business success came from purchasing and repairing faulty refrigerators, which she sold at lower prices, earning 800,000 yuan, a significant amount at the time [9]. - She later ventured into real estate, acquiring land before the property prices surged, and successfully exited the market before the bubble burst, increasing her capital [11]. Group 3: Entry into the Beauty Industry - The pivotal moment in Zhao Yan's career occurred during her MBA studies at Peking University when she learned about hyaluronic acid from a contact at Shandong Pharmaceutical Research Institute [15]. - Recognizing the potential of hyaluronic acid in the beauty market, she invested 12 million yuan for a 50% stake in a company and allocated 200 million yuan for research and marketing, despite skepticism from others [19]. Group 4: Market Impact and Controversies - The rise of the medical beauty trend led to a surge in demand for hyaluronic acid, with 10 million units sold in hospitals across China in 2016, establishing her company as a leading supplier [21]. - Despite her success, Zhao Yan faced criticism for the high markup on her products, with some labeling it as a "tax on intelligence," although the costs involved in production and marketing were substantial [22][24]. - Controversies surrounding her business practices, including allegations of pressuring employees to sell stocks at low prices, have added complexity to her public image [26]. Group 5: Conclusion - Zhao Yan's journey reflects a keen understanding of market demands and the ability to capitalize on emerging trends, transforming a simple raw material into a billion-dollar business [29].