That is Ray Hou. She’s a — — at Restore Sisters. Restore Sisters is an all-female residence restore firm within the metropolis of Chengdu, the primary of its variety in China. In China, in the event you wanted one thing fastened, almost certainly a person would present up at your door. Ray and her colleagues are altering that. And so they’re not simply doing repairs. They’re constructing a model. Going viral. And discovering that China’s rising inhabitants of single ladies want their service. Ray as soon as managed a shopping center in Xi’an, however because the economic system slowed, her arduous work stopped paying off. She was craving one thing actual, work the place she may really see what she’d achieved on the finish of the day. So, at 40, Ray made a daring pivot. And studied for 2 months to change into an electrician. With none expertise, Ray wanted to discover a expert employee prepared to take her on as an apprentice. So she packed her baggage, received a a method ticket — “OK, let’s go to Chengdu.” And moved tons of of miles to apprentice with Restore Sisters. There, Ray discovered a neighborhood of girls prepared to share their abilities. Considered one of Ray’s first solo jobs was to mount a cat furnishings set on the wall. Ray’s shoppers, most of whom are ladies, inform her that they like feminine technicians as a result of they’re simpler to speak to. And, for single ladies particularly, a handywoman seems like a safer choice. By 2030, round 35 million Chinese language ladies of their 20s and 30s are anticipated to be residing alone. This inhabitants is rising as extra ladies are delaying marriage to pursue training and careers. Greater than half of the Restore Sisters had workplace jobs earlier than becoming a member of. It’s not nearly following their ardour both. Whereas conventional workplace salaries stagnated, blue-collar wages have been climbing at a sooner tempo. The Restore Sisters have managed to construct a social media model by telling their startup story. Their greater than 600,000 followers means regular work, in addition to partnerships with manufacturers that need extra feminine shoppers. However their success and social media fame have additionally introduced pushback. Earnings from Ray’s new profession covers her bills, however remains to be lower than her supervisor wage.
A Chinese Woman Builds a New Career in a Man’s World
