China single mum starts business with US$100, runs clothing brand earning tens of millions yearly

Dong Na, a single mother born in the 1990s from Zhengzhou, Henan province, has captured the Chinese public's imagination by transforming a 700 yuan (US$100) investment into a clothing brand earning tens of millions of yuan annually. Her journey began in 2012 when, as a young single mother in her early twenties with no savings or stable income, she faced the dire challenge of borrowing money from relatives just to buy milk powder for her child. While her peers enjoyed carefree lives, Dong Na shouldered the responsibility alone, famously sleeping only four hours a night to build her business from a humble street market stall.

Her brand, which specializes in 'new Chinese-style clothing,' has since grown into a nationwide chain with shops in cities across China. The viral sharing of her entrepreneurial story on platforms like Weibo has turned her into a symbol of resilience and determination. Dong Na has been open about the serious personal strain her relentless work ethic has caused, but her financial success and inspirational narrative have resonated deeply, offering a powerful counter-narrative of self-made achievement in contemporary Chinese society.