Zhou Chengjian

Early Life

Zhou Chengjian was born in 1966 in Qingtian County, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China. Little is known about his early life, but he began his career as a tailor. Zhou started his own business in 1986 at the age of twenty.

Rise to Success

In the 1990s, Zhou founded the Metersbonwe Group in Wenzhou with a loan of 200,000 yuan (US$24,691). Metersbonwe grew to become a leading fashion brand and the largest casualwear retail brand in China. Zhou obtained an EMBA degree from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. His wealth increased significantly, reaching $1.9 billion by 2008. Zhou was ranked No. 36 in the 2005 China Philanthropy List for his significant donations to the local education system. Zhou was recognized for his rapid rise in Shanghai rankings by the Hurun Report in late 2008. In 2014, he was ranked No. 892 in the Hurun Report's Global Rich List with a wealth of US$1.9 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Zhou's key strategy involved building Metersbonwe into a successful fashion brand, becoming the largest casualwear retail brand in China. The company focused on offering affordable fashion, releasing thousands of clothing designs annually. In 2016, Zhou's daughter, Hu Jiajia, became chairman. In January 2024, Zhou returned as president.

Philanthropy

Zhou has been recognized for his philanthropic contributions, particularly to the local education system. He was ranked No. 36 in the 2005 China Philanthropy List for his significant donations.