Core Insights - The article highlights the journey of Chen Nian, founder of Vancl, who faced significant challenges and transformed his business model to live-stream e-commerce after years of debt repayment and operational struggles [2][8][14]. Group 1: Company Transformation - In 2021, Chen Nian pivoted Vancl to live-stream e-commerce, leveraging the brand's legacy on platforms like Douyin [9]. - A pivotal moment occurred on April 18, 2024, when Lei Jun mentioned wearing Vancl products during a live stream, leading to a surge in traffic for Vancl's live broadcasts [9][10]. - By the second quarter of 2025, Vancl's men's clothing ranked third on Douyin's brand list, indicating a successful brand revival [9]. Group 2: Financial Recovery - Chen Nian faced nearly 1 billion yuan in debt, which he managed to repay over a decade, demonstrating a commitment to financial responsibility [8]. - The company struggled with inventory issues and financial losses after failing to meet a sales target of 10 billion yuan in 2011 [4][5]. - Chen Nian's approach to debt repayment was characterized by personal sacrifices, including pledging his property and selling shares, showcasing a deep sense of responsibility [6][8]. Group 3: Personal and Professional Resilience - The narrative emphasizes the importance of resilience and responsibility in entrepreneurship, as Chen Nian chose to face his challenges head-on rather than declare bankruptcy [6][14]. - The friendship between Lei Jun and Chen Nian illustrates the balance between strategic foresight and perseverance in the business landscape [11][12]. - The article concludes with a message that age should not be a barrier to innovation, as demonstrated by Chen Nian's successful transition to a new business model at the age of 55 [13][15].

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].

Core Viewpoint - Recent reports revealed that Xiaomi's founder Lei Jun has an advertising quote starting at 370,000 yuan, which has sparked discussions about his influence and advertising value [1][2]. Group 1: Advertising and Influence - Lei Jun's advertising quotes are reported as follows: 370,000 yuan for 1-20 seconds, 380,000 yuan for 21-60 seconds, and 420,000 yuan for over 60 seconds [2]. - Lei Jun's social media presence is significant, with over 26 million followers on Weibo and over 44.95 million on Douyin, indicating strong potential for advertising impact [2]. - Some netizens questioned the low advertising price given Lei Jun's influence, suggesting it should be valued at around 20 million yuan [2]. Group 2: Product Promotion and Sales Impact - Lei Jun's ability to drive sales is evident; for instance, after sharing a video of himself in a Xiaomi car factory outfit, 800 similar outfits were sold out quickly [5]. - During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lei Jun's casual packing video led to a specific chili sauce brand going viral, resulting in the product selling out and the company recovering from financial difficulties [5]. - In a live stream on Douyin, Lei Jun introduced Xiaomi cars, attracting over 100,000 viewers within the first minute, showcasing his strong engagement with the audience [5]. Group 3: Brand Revival - Following Lei Jun's mention of the brand "VANCL" during a live stream, the brand experienced a significant sales boost, with daily sales rising from several thousand to over a million yuan [6]. - The live stream also resulted in an increase of nearly 200,000 followers for the VANCL official store on Douyin, highlighting the effectiveness of Lei Jun's influence in reviving brands [6].