Summary of Key Points
After retiring, Zou Shiming and Ran Yingying attempted cross-industry entrepreneurship multiple times, but all ended in failure. There are rumors that they suffered losses of up to 200 million yuan (the figure is questionable), which has sparked debates about who is responsible. However, this seems more like a form of "traffic marketing"—the couple used their struggles in variety shows to create buzz and ultimately turned that attention into revenue through live-streaming sales, essentially employing an entertainment tactic that leverages public sentiment to generate traffic.
I. What Mistakes Were Made in Their Entrepreneurial Failures?
Their failures were not accidental; they made common, avoidable mistakes:
- The Boxing Gym: They invested heavily without considering the market. The high-end boxing gym located by the Huangpu River in Shanghai covered an area of 18,000 square meters (larger than the UFC Asia-Pacific headquarters) and cost 50 million yuan in rent per year (equivalent to a salaried worker's annual income). The decoration was extravagant—a chandelier cost 3 million yuan, each treadmill 200,000 yuan, and they employed 8 people at the front desk. Yet, the gym had an average daily attendance of less than 100 people and was only profitable for one month out of the year, resulting in monthly losses of 2-3 million yuan. When they reduced the annual membership fee from 16,000 yuan to 6,500 yuan, their losses increased (since revenue decreased while fixed costs remained the same).
- Following Trends without Understanding: Unwilling to give up on the boxing gym's failure, they tried opening a hot pot restaurant, an internet-famous milk tea shop, and a film and esports business, all with significant investment in manpower. They had no experience in these areas; for example, running a milk tea shop requires a supply chain, proper location selection, and marketing strategies. They simply invested millions without considering the necessary factors.
- P2P Financial Investments: They also lost millions in P2P financial investments, which is a basic financial mistake. Even ordinary people understand the high risks associated with P2P lending.
II. Is the Claim of “200 Million Yuan in Losses” Accurate?
The figure has never been verified:
- Unclear Source: It's just a rumor without any official financial audits or settlement documents. When asked, Zou Shiming initially said he hadn't calculated the losses, then changed his statement to say it was more than 200 million yuan, and claimed they had sold their house to pay off debts. However, photos later showed that their children were attending private schools and the family was traveling, indicating their quality of life had not significantly declined.
- Suspicious Purpose: Before the claim of losses emerged, there was little discussion about them online; once the news broke, the entire internet began analyzing their personal lives, generating massive traffic. This seems more like a deliberately released "shocking" story than an accurate reflection of their financial situation.
III. Who Really Bears the Responsibility? Don't Make Zou Shiming a “Puppet”
Netizens are divided in opinion, with some blaming Ran Yingying for being too ambitious and others suspecting her of transferring assets. But the truth is more complex:
- Joint Decision-Making: Former employees of the boxing gym stated that opening the gym was a joint decision by both spouses, and Ran Yingying's family members didn't benefit much from it. As a retired athlete, Zou Shiming couldn't be completely ignorant about his own business; he's certainly not a naive person who can be manipulated easily.
- No Need to Get Too Serious: Even if they did suffer losses, it was a decision made together. Arguing about who is more at fault is pointless. The important thing is that they are now making money from this topic, not actually returning to poverty.
IV. Is This a Case of “Struggling for Attention” (Traffic Marketing)?
From their performances in variety shows to their live-streaming data, everything indicates deliberate manipulation:
- Variety Show Characters: Ran Yingying created the image of a "single mother" who cares for her child while running a business in *Sister Takes Charge 2*, portraying Zou Shiming as irresponsible (not caring about the child or doing household chores). These statements tapped into viewers' dissatisfaction with unfaithful husbands, instantly sparking discussion.
- Live-Streaming Sales: After the story became popular, their live-streaming sales reached several million yuan. The real goal was to use the “200 million yuan in losses” narrative to attract attention and convert that traffic into cash.
V. The Entertainment Industry's Strategy of Using Public Emotions for Traffic
This is a common tactic in the entertainment industry:
- Using Controversy for Attention: Stars don't mind being criticized; they fear being ignored. Zou Shiming and Ran Yingying used their financial struggles to create controversy. Whether people criticize Ran Yingying for wasting money or sympathize with her, it only brings them more traffic.
- Leaning on Public Emotions: Current variety shows and trending topics often use themes like infidelity, divorce, and hardship to provoke anger and sympathy among viewers, encouraging discussion and sharing. Every click and comment helps generate revenue.
In conclusion, don't be too emotionally invested in others' stories. Their perceived hardships might be staged, and your emotions could be exploited for financial gain. Instead of feeling pity for them, maybe you should pay more attention to your own wallet~