Southeast Missouri State University alumna Jue “Violet” Zhang is passionate about cross-border trade and says the time is ripe for e-commerce to revolutionize China.

Violet has had her hand on the pulse of the import-export business for about 15 years while working in international markets and the financial service industry, including four years with  Alibaba, one of the world’s largest online commerce companies and one of the world’s most valuable tech companies. A year ago, Violet ventured out as an entrepreneur launching Beijing ZhongRuiQiMing (“Rising Star”) Investment Management Ltd. and started her own consultancy business in Hangzhou, assisting international businesses with e-commerce strategy and “business match-making.”

With a stellar resume that includes vast experience with a network of 27 foreign consulates, nearly two dozen foreign industry associations, overseas investment institutions and two years with CITS American Express Travel Service, LTD servicing Motorola as a client, also in Beijing, Violet says she has a keen business sense for new opportunities and has an excellent strategic vision for new industry trends. Every service they provide takes advantages of their vast experience, in-depth market knowledge and relationships throughout China.

And that trend, she says, has spurred her to represent Chinese companies and assist them in exploring foreign markets. Violet spent a couple of months last winter in the United States connecting with buyers and sellers interested in selling their products in international markets. During that time she visited Chicago, St. Louis, New York, Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. She also explored U.S. advertising agencies and marketing firms to assist in her start-up.

Violet says her company is working to build bridges with overseas suppliers and Chinese online and offline channels, introducing foreign brands of baby/mother, personal care, food and health products, furniture and jewelry. Her company works with foreign clients to identify their key needs for entering the Chinese e-commerce market and assists them in understanding China’s unique characteristics, opportunities and challenges. It helps clients better understand localization, product positioning, identifying and evaluating distributors and major online market places in China. Her company also assists with general marketing strategies that are effective when looking to enter China and improve market share for products and services already in China.

When asked about her experience at Southeast, she says, “That’s the charming thing about being an MBA student at SEMO,” adding the evenings taught her much about American culture. “I cherish the opportunity to have come there, not only to study, but to find what is important in life.”