Li Shuai, 24, came to Beijing eight years ago to seek opportunities like many other migrant workers. He stacked shelves in a supermarket, then moved on to restaurants and cafes, and he even sold vegetables. Xiao Shuai, as his customers and friends call him, is the co-owner of El Nido, a 20 square metre bar in a hutong known for its wide selection of beers and relaxed atmosphere.
What did you do before opening El Nido?
I come from a peasant family in Baoding, Hebei province, not far from Beijing. When I finished primary school, a relative said there could be a job in Beijing for me, so I went. I was so young I didn't even have my identity card, but my three elder brothers were all working as electricians in the cities, so my parents let me go.
I started working at April Gourmet, a new supermarket that catered to the expatriate community with mainly imported goods. I didn't recognise half the fruits, nor was I able to pronounce the names of most of the goods. By the time I left a year and a half later, I was a supervisor. When I joined, I made 500 yuan (HK$610) per month; when I left it was 1,500 yuan.
I then worked in restaurants and cafes, almost always at the recommendation of friends and my previous boss. After five years I thought I should start my own business, thinking that it would be more relaxed and that I could make more money. I decided to sell vegetables at a market.
At 2am every day I would ride my tricycle to a wholesale market an hour away, pick up whatever was fresh and cheap that day, then ride another hour back to a market near Financial Street. But it didn't have enough customer traffic, and I made only 100 to 200 yuan a day.