In December 2017 the launch of an inaugural US-China Youth Forum on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, was sponsored by the US Department of State and All-Youth China Federation. As part of the Forum, 50 American and 50 Chinese emerging leaders in entrepreneurship and innovation convened in Shenzhen, China with the goal of developing international partnerships, securing venture capital, and expanding deal flow and economic opportunities between the two countries.
Stay tuned to our blog for a series of videos throughout 2018, with the pioneers of #TeamCharlotte to learn more about the opportunities in Shenzhen.
Justin: So we are in Shenzhen China with as part of the U.S.-China Entrepreneurship Forum for the youth. We have Vanessa, Amanda, and Justin here right now, and we just wanted to share with everyone our experiences from #TeamCharlotte.
(Laughter)
Justin: This is very informal, a lot of joking is probably going to happen so be prepared to laugh. If you don’t have a laughing bone inside your body this may not be for you!
(Laughter)
Justin: So let’s start at the beginning, how did you find out about this forum?
Vanessa: First things first. My name is Vanessa Vaughn, I am the Founder and President of Asfalis Consulting. We are a boutique crisis management and business continuity consulting firm. I found out about the forum through the Charlotte Chamber, so shoutout to the team at the Charlotte Chamber. The opportunity came across their desk, and they sent it out to lots of different channels in Charlotte, and I’m happy I was selected.
Justin: We probably should start with names and backgrounds.
Vanessa and Amanda: Possibly.
Justin: Do the same thing and tell how you found out about it as well.
Amanda: (Clears throat)
(Laughter)
Vanessa: Time out! This was us the whole week.
Justin: Hashtag Team Charlotte!
Amanda: My name is Amanda Zullo, I’m the Founder and Executive Director of a local non-profit in Charlotte called Pop Up Produce. I found out about this opportunity through Queen City Forward. They are a mentor and the Executive Director Amy Chiou passed along the opportunity to me. I am very grateful for being able to go back to China.
Justin: I’m Justin Witz, Founder of Catapult. I was a part of Queen City Fintech Class 6 for the accelerator. Dan Roselli who obviously leads that charge in our community, shared it with me and that’s how I got involved.
Vanessa: I would be remised if I did not say that I am a part of the City Startup Labs cohort. This is the 1st class that has accepted women for this opportunity, and that was another avenue that helped me prepare for this trip as well.
Justin: I feel like this was an Oscar speech where we don’t want to forget people.
(Laughter)
Vanessa: My mom, my dad.
(Laughter)
Justin: My wife
Vanessa and Amanda: My dog!
Amanda: My name is Amanda Zullo, I’m the Founder and Executive Director of a local non-profit in Charlotte called Pop Up Produce. I found out about this opportunity through Queen City Forward. They are a mentor and the Executive Director Amy Chiou passed along the opportunity to me. I am very grateful for being able to go back to China.
Justin: I’m Justin Witz, Founder of Catapult. I was a part of Queen City Fintech Class 6 for the accelerator. Dan Roselli who obviously leads that charge in our community, shared it with me and that’s how I got involved.
Vanessa: I would be remised if I did not say that I am a part of the City Startup Labs cohort. This is the 1st class that has accepted women for this opportunity, and that was another avenue that helped me prepare for this trip as well.
Justin: I feel like this was an Oscar speech where we don’t want to forget people.
(Laughter)
Vanessa: My mom, my dad.
(Laughter)
Justin: My wife
Vanessa and Amanda: My dog!
Vanessa: Terik Tidwell, the STEM Director from Johnson C. Smith University, the
Historically Black College and University (HBCU) was represented in Shenzhen. He formulated a coffee meet up for us two days before we left. We had a chance to think about: What do we want to do there? How do we want to come back and make an impact? and more importantly, How do we come back and tell our story to the rest of the Charlotte community? So that was the kickoff.
Justin: Mind you, clothing and shoes was probably the biggest point of discussion.
Vanessa and Justin: Absolutely!
