HPDBC Chapter 123 Quitting My Job to Start My Own Business
Chapter 123 Quitting My Job to Start My Own Business
Chapter 123 Quitting My Job to Start My Own Business
When Wang Jialei saw this reply, he was shocked.
He doesn't think Mr. Ma is petty or narrow-minded, so isn't this criticism too harsh?
Then, all he could do was let out a helpless sigh. He had always seen Lin Mu's talent, and this kind of approval was simply too cruel for Lin Mu.
He found Lin Mu and said in a heavy tone, "Lin Mu, your resignation application has been approved by General Manager Ma." As he spoke, he handed the resignation application to Lin Mu.
Lin Mu smiled when he saw the words "Never to be hired" on the sign, thinking to himself: Goodness, they're really going that far? Since that's the case, he has no psychological burden at all about leaving the company.
Wang Jialei patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "We've all seen your talent. With your abilities, you'll never have to worry about finding a job. After get off work, let's go for a few drinks, and I'll help you find some job opportunities."
Lin Mu waved his hand and said, "Drinking is fine, but there's no need for job introductions. I have my own plans."
"Okay," Wang Jialei replied helplessly.
Soon, the resignation approval was published on Alibaba's internal network. At the same time, the post Lin Mu had previously edited was blocked, and the user ID "Dayan" had its posting privileges revoked. This series of drastic measures caused a sensation within the internal network.
Inside the Tongji Hot Pot restaurant.
Wang Zaixing and Lu Hai specially hosted a banquet for Lin Mu as a farewell dinner to welcome him back.
Wang Zaixing, still looking incredulous, asked, "Lin Mu, you're just 'fired' like that? President Ma personally approved it, and you're permanently banned? I thought there was nothing wrong with the wording in your post; it was all objective commentary, without a trace of personal emotion. Even if President Ma didn't listen to your opinion, he could at most ban the post, but what does firing you mean? Is it that no dissenting opinions are tolerated within the company now?"
Wang Zaixing was utterly bewildered, feeling indignant on behalf of Lin Mu and completely disheartened by Alibaba's current situation.
Lin Mu's former boss, Lu Hai, poured Lin Mu a glass of baijiu and said slowly, "Let's not talk about the past. What are your plans for the future? Do you want to take a break for a while, or are you already looking for a job? If you're looking for a job, I have a good place for you."
Lin Mu picked up his glass, downed it in one gulp, and a slight blush rose to his cheeks; he was already slightly tipsy. He took a bite of tripe, swallowed it, and looked up at Lu Hai, asking, "Lu Hai, are you currently suspended from your duties pending investigation?"
Lu Hai nodded with a wry smile: "You've heard about this. That's right, two young men in my team are involved in corruption, and the investigation department suspects me. They've been investigating me recently, so I've stopped all my work and am waiting for the investigation results."
Wang Zaixing said indignantly, "Zang Feng (Lu Hai's nickname), you've suffered an undeserved misfortune! How could you possibly know about those two colleagues' embezzlement and corruption? Now, they've even implemented a system of collective punishment, isn't this making everyone feel insecure?"
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Lin Mu slowly began to speak: "I've actually been planning to leave my job for a while now; I'm going to start my own business. By the way, do you guys know the brand 'Moonweaving'?"
Both of them shook their heads simultaneously. They didn't usually pay much attention to the fashion world and knew nothing about this brand.
Lin Mu explained in detail: "Moonweave has recently become a hit in Paris, and has already established connections with the Parisian fashion scene. It has also secured 1.2 million yuan in angel investment, and is now valued at 1200 million yuan."
"I hold a 30% stake in it. By next year, the valuation of Yuezhi is estimated to increase three to four times. At that time, I plan to cash out a portion of my shares, selling 10%, which should net me tens of millions as start-up capital."
Wang Zaixing suddenly realized and said, "So, Lin Mu, you're planning to create a high-end e-commerce platform? Selling brands ranging from affordable luxury to high-end luxury, essentially a high-end version of Tmall? That's a good approach; it should have a certain market share."
"However, there are two challenges: the first is how to persuade luxury brands to join your platform, and the second is how to gain users' trust in your platform so that they are willing to buy high-priced goods on it."
Lin Mu shook his head and said, "No, I'm not going to do a high-end e-commerce platform. High-end e-commerce platforms have no future; in fact, they're a dead end. What I want to do is a low-price e-commerce platform, the ultra-low-price kind."
He paused, then continued, "My initial thought is that many factory owners went bankrupt during this financial crisis, leaving them with a large amount of unsold inventory." As he spoke, Lin Mu elaborated on his business strategy—simply put, to do everything possible to reduce costs, sell goods at extremely low prices, and seize the lower-tier market.
After listening, Wang Zaixing nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining: "Interesting, Dayan. This kind of business has a very high ceiling and a wide development potential. However, it requires a lot of capital support. You can't compete with those big capital firms by relying on your tens of millions on your own."
Lin Mu nodded in agreement, saying, "You're right. The major internet giants are all eyeing this lucrative e-commerce market and won't let it slip away easily. As long as we can make some progress, both Tencent and Baidu would be very willing to invest in us."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Mu turned to Wang Zaixing and said seriously, "Fugui, I formally invite you to be my company's employee number 001. What do you think? Your salary and benefits will remain the same as when you were at Alibaba. I will definitely treat you well."
Wang Zaixing was taken aback, then fell into serious thought.
Seeing Wang Zaixing still hesitating, Lin Mu turned to Lu Hai, raised his glass, and said, "Leader Lu Hai, let me toast you. It's been a real pleasure working with you for so long. Lu Hai, how about considering switching jobs and starting a business with me?"
Lu Hai pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Actually, your idea overlaps somewhat with Alibaba's factory direct sales model, but it's not without a chance to break through. It's just that I'm already middle-aged, with elderly parents and young children to support, and I really don't dare to take on such a big entrepreneurial risk again."
He paused, then added, "However, I can help you for free for a while. I'll be your HR, helping you recruit the talent you need. As for the salary, just name your price; don't be too polite."
Lin Mu quickly grasped Lu Hai's hand, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew that Lu Hai's network was far wider than many people imagined, perhaps because he was kind and sincere, and had built up many good relationships within the industry.
Lin Mu said solemnly, "Zang Feng, no one can predict what will happen when it comes to starting a business. It's very possible that I'll end up completely destroyed. But if I succeed, I'll welcome you to join me at any time; I've always had the position of HR manager ready for you."
Lu Hai smiled and said, "We'll see."
Lu Hai is well-informed and has seen many Alibaba executives jump ship to start their own e-commerce platforms, but the vast majority of them have failed and haven't even made a ripple in the market.
He couldn't say for sure whether Lin Mu would be one of the many failures. But now was the time when Lin Mu was full of ambition, so he wouldn't say anything sarcastic, and he sincerely hoped that Lin Mu would succeed.
If Lin Mu's business empire can truly be realized, then a large number of users in second- and third-tier cities, and even towns—those who did not previously enjoy the benefits of internet development—will be able to experience the convenience and beauty brought by industrial development.
After finishing the meal, Lin Mu called Sanfeng again. He told Sanfeng everything about leaving his job to start his own business and asked if Sanfeng wanted to come and work with him.
If Sanfeng is willing to come, he can increase Sanfeng's current salary by 30% and give him the CT0 position directly.
Lin Mu knew that Sanfeng was a top talent in building the technical framework, and such talent was especially important in the early stages of entrepreneurship, as it could save him a lot of trouble.
On the other end of the phone, Sanfeng looked troubled and said, "Dayan, it's really inconvenient for me here. I'm in the Tmall project department, with a clear promotion path, and this is the rising period of my career. I don't want to give up everything I have to take the risks of starting a business."
He paused, then added, "However, I can recommend someone to you. He's my junior from Tsinghua University, and he's very capable, making him perfect for building technical frameworks."
Lin Mu quickly said, "Thank you so much, Sanfeng. If this talent can be successfully brought in, I will give you a referral fee at market rate. In addition, the CT0 position in my company has always been prepared for you. You can come anytime you want, as long as you've thought it through."
After exchanging a few more polite words, Lin Mu hung up the phone.
He was calculating in his mind: In this way, Fugui's side was basically a sure thing to follow him; Lu Hai had already confirmed that he would come to help and be in charge of recruiting talents; although Sanfeng's side was not coming for the time being, they had not completely rejected him, giving him a way out and were even willing to help recommend technical talents.
So, by this calculation, the talent pool for the three core areas of operations, human resources, and technology has basically been secured.
Next, we need to recruit talent in accounting, law, marketing, and design to fully build the team before we can officially launch the startup project.