We recently connected with Lily Zhou and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lily, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

In 2005, I had a vision that felt ahead of its time: bringing Chinese TV to mobile phones. Back then, only Fox TV and Sprint had mobile channels, but I knew our community needed access too. I spent time talking through the idea with my partner and figuring out what would be required.

When we were ready, I took action — and amazingly, it didn’t cost us anything but two phone calls.

I called the CEO of Chinese Skylink TV in Los Angeles and shared my idea. He immediately saw the potential and agreed to collaborate. Then I called the CEO of Smart Video, one of the only companies that could stream TV on mobile phones at the time. He also said yes.

From there, my partner and I worked with both teams to coordinate content, licensing, and technical testing. And in October 2005, we launched Skylink TV on mobile phones, becoming one of the earliest Chinese mobile TV channels in the world.

That experience showed me that sometimes, turning a dream into reality doesn’t take millions of dollars — just a clear vision, the right partners, and the courage to act.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I often say my journey began long before my first business — it started during my childhood in China, growing up during the Cultural Revolution. Life was difficult and limiting, but it taught me resilience, courage, and the ability to dream beyond my circumstances.

At 17 and a half, I arrived in the United States with a one-way ticket to Fresno, $500, no English, and no formal education. What I did have was determination and a deep desire to build a better life. I married at 19, started a family, and in 1989, with the father of my children, we opened our very first restaurant in Fresno — now known as Helen’s Gourmet Chinese Food.

We didn’t buy an existing restaurant. We borrowed money from the SBA and built it from the ground up, learning every step of construction, operations, finances, and customer service. It was my first real lesson in entrepreneurship: that even without resources or experience, you can create something meaningful with vision, hard work, and the courage to begin.

In 1996, I made the difficult decision to give away the restaurant so I could devote more time to raising my children. During those years, I worked full time, attended Fresno State University at night, and cared for my family. I graduated in 2000 and moved to San Diego, ready to begin a new chapter.

My entrepreneurial journey expanded from there. After founding Lily Zhou Financial Services, I recognized a huge opportunity in mobile media. This led me to create Content Asia Network (CAN), and together with my partners, we launched the first Chinese mobile TV channel — years before streaming became mainstream.

From there, I continued building companies and platforms, including:

theZmedia Inc

ABR LLC

Saigon On Fifth

Taught Global Business and Organizational Behavior to both MBA and undergraduate students at SDSU from 2016 to 2018.

AZ3D (revolutionizing the whole building industry using AI, robots and 3D printing for homes and commercial buildings)

PandaNme – a global inspiration and solutions platform

EJ Academy

PandaNme Crypto, supporting the PandaNme ecosystem

Global Innovation Center (GIC) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nurturing young leaders

One of the things I am most proud of is mentoring youth. Over the years, many of the young people I’ve guided have gone on to attend elite universities and become leaders in their fields. Their success is one of my greatest rewards.

I also stepped into public service — running for San Diego City Council in 2020 and U.S. Senate in 2022 — because leadership, to me, means service and creating opportunities for others.

Today, my vision continues to grow. With PandaNme, GIC, and my long-term development of Panda City, a smart, sustainable 900-acre community, I am building platforms that spread hope, innovation, and opportunity.

Most recently, I am launching a new project with my friend who is a breast cancer survivor to support breast cancer patients, offering comfort, hope, and practical resources during one of the hardest battles in life. This project is deeply personal to me.

What sets me apart is that I build with both heart and purpose. Every company, nonprofit, or idea begins with the same guiding question:
How can this help people live better, healthier, and more meaningful lives?

If readers, clients, or followers take away anything from my journey, I hope it’s this:
It doesn’t matter where you start. Your future can be limitless when you dare to dream and choose to uplift others along the way.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my social media audience has been a journey of sharing my story, my passions, and my mission, rather than chasing numbers or trends. When I started with PandaNme, my goal wasn’t to go viral overnight — it was to create a platform that inspires, educates, and connects people around solutions, creativity, and hope.

At first, I shared content that mattered to me: wisdom from life experiences, insights about entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and projects I was building. I also shared moments from my personal journey — from arriving in the U.S. with $500, to building my first restaurant, launching companies, mentoring youth, and supporting meaningful causes. People resonate with authenticity, and over time, they began following not just for the content, but for the values and vision behind it.

One thing I’ve learned is that consistency and community matter more than perfection. I engage with my audience, listen to their stories, and respond to their needs. I focus on building trust and offering real value — whether it’s inspiration, practical advice, or hope.

For anyone starting out, my advice is:

Share your story and your values — people connect with authenticity more than polished perfection.

Focus on giving, not just promoting — help your audience, solve problems, inspire, and they’ll stay and grow with you.

Consistency is key — post regularly, engage genuinely, and stay true to your vision.

Don’t be afraid to start small — every follower matters, and communities grow one meaningful connection at a time.

Social media isn’t just about numbers — it’s about creating a space where your mission, your vision, and your audience can grow together. That’s how PandaNme became more than just a platform; it became a community of ideas, solutions, and inspiration.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I manufacture my products, but I didn’t start with manufacturing knowledge myself. When I co-founded ABR LLC with my partner, I had a clear vision for the product — the Ask Believe Receipt Toggle Bracelet — while my partner provided the funding to bring it to life. I focused on designing the bracelet, ensuring it carried the right message, aesthetic, and functionality.

Next, we needed a manufacturer who could turn the design into a high-quality product. After researching options, our agent in China helped us find a manufacturer who also produces for Tiffany & Co., which immediately gave me confidence in their craftsmanship and reliability. Our first shipment sold out in just three days, showing that our vision resonated with customers.

Through this process, I learned key lessons about manufacturing:

Clear communication is essential — convey your design, materials, and quality expectations precisely.

Start small — a limited run helps test both production and market response before scaling.

Partner wisely — choosing the right manufacturer can make or break your product.

Stay flexible and patient — even with careful planning, challenges arise, and adaptability is critical.

This experience taught me that you don’t need to know everything at the start. With a clear vision, the right partners, and courage to act, an idea can become a successful product — even selling out in just three days.

Contact Info:

• Website: pandaNme.com GIC501c3.org
• Instagram: 1lilyZhou
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lilyz8
• Linkedin: lily Zhou
• Twitter: @theZmedia
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AZ3DGlobal

Image Credits

Ken Zhong