Maybe It's Time We Looked at It a Little Differently
You see it on countless products: Made in China.
For many people, "Made in China" still carries a particular perception, one shaped by years of low-cost manufacturing and mass production. And to be fair, many of us have enjoyed the affordability that came with it.
I've always thought that was a shame, because China is so much more than that. For centuries, it has been known for innovation and craftsmanship, from silk and porcelain to paper and tea. In fact, nail polish, paper money, and even the fork all have their origins in China. Yet somehow, "Made in China" has become synonymous with cheap mass-produced goods.
Until now, our jewellery has been made in Vietnam and Thailand. So visiting a potential manufacturer in China was a first for me, and a very exciting opportunity.
Choosing a supplier isn't just about craftsmanship, it's about meeting the people behind the business and knowing you can grow together.
While I was in Hong Kong, Jan Bo sent me a link to a jewellery manufacturer in China. They also have an office in Hong Kong, so I thought, Why not? I reached out via WhatsApp. And yes...forget long emails. Almost all communication happens through WhatsApp or WeChat.
They suggested I visit their factory in mainland China, since the Hong Kong office is only an office. It made perfect sense. If I'm going to choose a supplier, I want to see how they work, meet the people behind the business, and get a feel for whether we're a good match.
For Jan Bo, it's especially important that the people we work with don't just have excellent craftsmanship and good working conditions, but that they also want to grow with us. We're still a start-up, and we're looking for partners who believe in the journey just as much as we do.
They arranged transportation to and from the factory, so all I really had to do was show up. Luckily, the timing was perfect. China had recently introduced visa-free entry for many countries, making the trip much easier. I just had to complete an entry form.
My ride from Hong Kong to Mainland China. I didn't understand what the driver said, so he declined the seat and lifted the leg rest for me.
Before the trip, I downloaded WeChat and borrowed an extra phone from a friend to use as a hotspot. A few weeks earlier, I'd been in Shenzhen with my family and quickly discovered that almost every app we rely on in the West is useless in China. WhatsApp, Google, and even my eSIM, which had worked perfectly in Hong Kong, stopped working the moment I crossed the border.
Visiting the supplier was a genuinely positive experience.
It's a family-owned, medium-sized company where everyone takes their breaks together, creating an open, calm, and focused atmosphere. There was a real sense of pride in their craftsmanship, something you simply can't experience through a screen. It was clear that quality matters to them, and they welcomed me with remarkable openness.
We also discussed opportunities that Jan Bo and I have been dreaming about for quite some time. It was inspiring to see how open they were to new ideas and future development.
I left with a really good feeling, and with yet another reminder that you shouldn't judge quality and craftsmanship by the label; Made in China.
I hope this visit marks the beginning of a great partnership. You never know what the future holds. But sometimes, it all starts with a single link, a WhatsApp message... and the courage to set off alone.
- Timi -
