Core Insights - The article discusses the entrepreneurial journey of the company "Makondo," founded by Ai Guoyong, which has undergone multiple transformations over ten years in the sports industry [3][5][10]. Company Overview - Makondo was established in 2015, named after the fictional town in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," reflecting the founder's admiration for the book [3][4]. - The company operates in the running market, which is projected to grow from 492.6 billion yuan in 2023 to 598.9 billion yuan by 2025 [3]. Business Transformations - The company has experienced five significant transformations: 1. Transitioned from media to sports public relations, initially securing profitable projects but struggled to maintain a steady client base [5][9]. 2. Shifted focus to organizing running events, conducting 12 medium-sized marathons, relying on government support, registration fees, and sponsorships for revenue [5][9]. 3. In 2019, Makondo pivoted to focus solely on running gear, facing financial challenges but achieving a turnaround with a successful product launch during the "Double 11" sales event [10]. 4. Evolved from selling running gear to establishing a brand, emphasizing originality and quality over low pricing [11]. 5. In 2024, the company transitioned from low to mid-price segments, increasing prices to enhance profitability and product quality, despite some customer loss [12][13]. Financial Performance - In 2019, the company's revenue was 4.04 million yuan, which surged to over 200 million yuan by 2023, marking a 60-fold increase [3][10]. - The company faced challenges with profitability, as revenue growth did not translate into profits, leading to inventory issues and financial strain [12][13].

Core Viewpoint - The friendship between Lei Jun and Chen Nian has been highlighted during a recent Xiaomi event, showcasing their long-standing relationship and mutual support in their respective business ventures [1][4]. Group 1: Friendship and Collaboration - Lei Jun mentioned his 28-year friendship with Chen Nian during Xiaomi's annual speech, emphasizing that Chen has never paid for advertising [1][3]. - Chen Nian, the founder of Vancl, was invited to Xiaomi's SU7 launch last year, which led him to pivot towards live-streaming e-commerce after being inspired by Lei Jun [3][4]. - The two have supported each other through various business challenges, with Chen Nian helping Lei Jun during the early days of Joyo (卓越网) and later receiving Lei Jun's angel investment for Vancl [9]. Group 2: Live Streaming Interaction - During Lei Jun's speech, Chen Nian was live-streaming, and the interaction between them became a trending topic, showcasing their camaraderie [4][6]. - Lei Jun humorously referred to Chen Nian as his "number one supporter" in his live streams, where Chen frequently appears and engages with the audience [7][9]. - The dynamic between them has evolved, with Lei Jun promoting Vancl products during his live streams, further solidifying their partnership [9].