Lei Jufang

Early Life

Lei Jufang was born in the Gansu province of China, one of the country's poorest regions. Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, Lei experienced poverty firsthand. Her early life instilled in her a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for her roots.

Rise to Success

Lei's educational background is in vacuum physics, with a degree from Xi'an Jiaotong University. After graduating, she worked as an assistant professor at a science academy in Lanzhou. Her journey to becoming a billionaire began with an interest in Tibetan medicine, which she discovered during a trip to Tibet. In 1995, she founded Cheezheng Tibetan Medicine in Linzhi, Tibet. Under her leadership, the company has grown significantly, becoming a leading manufacturer of traditional Tibetan medicines, particularly pain-relief patches and creams. The company went public in 2009 on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Key Business Strategies

Lei's business strategy involved modernizing the production of traditional Tibetan treatments. She used her knowledge of vacuum physics to develop innovative preservation methods for the herbal medicines. Lei adopted a grassroots, word-of-mouth approach to promoting her products and sent staff with free medicine to introduce to people, which drew the attention of the media and the public. The company focuses on products such as ointments, plasters, and powders. Lei's company also established strong links with the Chinese Olympic athletes which boosted her brand's reputation and sales.

Philanthropy

Lei invests a portion of her money in local Tibetan education, encouraging young Tibetan children to pursue medical careers.