Summary of Key Points
Tang Zhenyi, a 21-year-old student from the Interdisciplinary College at the University of Southern California, returned to China to start a business with his own AI bookmark product, Mark. Unlike traditional AI tools that focus on “speed,” Mark emphasizes “authentic intention” – users manually highlight important content in books, actively choosing what they want to retain, thus combating the fatigue caused by the proliferation of AI-generated content. Over the past year, Tang has traveled from California to Shenzhen, experienced his first visit to a factory, negotiated with business owners, and organized offline events, transforming from a designer into a CEO. His product has also received pre-orders from influential figures such as A24 Partners, Vercel’s CEO, and a16z.
I. Mark’s “Anti-AI” Approach: Not Being Smarter, but More “Sure”
Many AI products compete in terms of how quickly they can generate content or how intelligently they can summarize it, but Mark takes a different approach. By incorporating traditional elements like film, stamps, and paper into its design, Mark creates a product that feels tangible and cultural. For example, when you use Mark to highlight sentences in a book, you’re not just asking the AI to summarize for you; you’re making a conscious choice to keep certain parts of the text. This is similar to using a Leica camera with manual focus – every shot you take is the result of careful consideration, not an automatic capture.
Tang Zhenyi believes that people are tired of excessive AI-generated content and instead crave something “authentic and intentional.” Mark aims to meet this need by helping users to identify and retain what they find meaningful, rather than replacing their own thinking process.
II. Returning to China to Start a Business: The Challenge of Moving from Design to Real-World Manufacturing
Previously focused on visual design, Tang’s first experience in a Shenzhen factory was quite unexpected. When the boss offered him a cigarette, he didn’t know how to smoke but accepted it only to be noticed by the boss, who realized he wasn’t even inhaling. This incident taught him that starting a business in China means dealing with real people – factory owners, CTOs, and supply chain partners. He also had to learn how to negotiate prices, analyzing costs and determining whether outsourcing manufacturing was more cost-effective than hiring his own team.
III. Brand Building: Focusing on Long-Term Growth Rather than Short-Term Traffic
Mark’s branding strategy is quite “anti-Internet.” They invest heavily in offline events, such as private gatherings in Los Angeles (inviting publishers and writers to test the product) and library events at the Collins Design Studio in New York. These efforts may not immediately generate sales, but they help build a sense of brand presence. For instance, an online campaign that failed initially led to a viral video on Thursday, attracting thousands of visitors who placed orders on the spot. Tang believes that a brand is built by sticking to its unique aesthetic and avoiding trendy, flashy designs (such as fancy animations); their website is designed simply, with just one image of Mark recording his thoughts, making it easy for users to remember the brand.
IV. From Designer to CEO: Moving from Detail Work to Building Systems
From designing and editing videos on his own, Tang is now learning from Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky about building an effective organizational structure for a company. Instead of spending hours on individual tasks (like creating posters), he delegates these tasks to his team, accepting that the results might not be as perfect as if he did it all himself. As CEO, his time is better spent on strategizing for the company’s future.
He emphasizes that entrepreneurship is a long-term endeavor and requires balance in life (eating well, exercising). He believes that taking things slow is actually faster in the long run, as steady progress is more important than rushing to success.
V. Capitalizing on the Trend of “AI Fatigue”: The Re-emergence of Offline Experiences
People spend 12 hours on their phones daily and have become indifferent to AI-generated content, preferring real, interactive experiences (such as dining with friends or receiving handmade gifts like illustrated letters from designers). Mark taps into this trend by offering a more personal, hands-on reading experience. Tang notes that technological advancements often lead to a backlash, and people sometimes crave simpler, more humanized alternatives.
Final Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
Tang advises his peers to not be too frugal in the early stages of their businesses – seek multiple design options and compare different manufacturers when developing hardware. Believe in your ability to achieve your goals within a year; he never thought he could build hardware or raise funding just a year ago, but now he’s made it happen. His long-term goal is for Mark to become a cultural symbol, collaborating with companies like Stripe, Miu Miu, and Penguin Random House. Personally, he hopes to balance his entrepreneurial endeavors with other interests (like Formula 1 racing) in three to five years.
In conclusion, Tang Zhenyi’s story demonstrates that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring patience, strategy, and a balanced lifestyle.