I was honored to be invited to the China Institute 2011 Gala (http://www.chinainstitute.org/support-us/special-events/annual-gala/) at the famous Cipriani 42 street by its trustee Sophia Sheng.  As a Chinese living in New York, the city with the most Chinese population in America, I am glad to have discovered New York’s oldest institute for this important culture. Sophia Sheng, a friend and a dedicated trustee invited me to an interesting dance performance and showed me this organization, which provides a comprehensive program in not only culture, art, language education but also corporate business seminars for young associates and executives.

Attending the 2011 China Institute Gala at the 42 street Cipriani gave me a look at the professional level of its dedicated members.  One thousand elite attandants came from different fields and countries. They filled the beautiful Cipriani restaurant to honor the two Blue Cloud winners: American business executive Virginia Kamsky and Chinese real estate billionaire Zhang Xin. 

Both Kamsky and Xin are incredibly accomplished entrepreneurs. Kamsky was credited for her work to bring and introduce western businessmen to China and Xin, is one of the self made female billionaires in the world. She is only in her 40s.  They have helped people to learn more about China through their businesses and achieved tremendous successes from it.  When I chatted with Xin and Kamsky, I found them very sociable, funny and talked about their families a lot.

The evening gala opened my eyes about the accomplishment by the elite Chinese. I am also glad to discover a place for people to learn about this important culture in New York.

The event was hosted by China Institute President Sara Judge McCalpin and distinguished attendants included Jewelry designer Anna Hu, Trustee Sophia Sheng, Jay Goffman, Chinese Ambassador Peng Keyu and Anchor Kaity Tong. 

For more about what you can learn and participate at China Institute, go to chinainstitute.org.

                             What’s Next for Li? Invest In A Bright Future!

Dear Friend!

After 5 months of competing in the global TV host contest, I want to tell you that I was not the Paradise Hunter. Since the announcement, I have received an overwhelming amount of supporting messages, emails and comments from friends, my fellow finalists and contestants that I was beyond touched!!  You have warmed my heart and I feel I already won despite the result!  AND I have a even more exciting future ahead because of this process so I want to share with you & would love for you to participate!

This journey has not only given me enormous publicity in America, China, India and other countries, but also incredible learning in marketing, social media and many exciting opportunities:  More than 7 corporations including Paradise Hunter and a billion dollar corporation, have approached me with business, media and P.R. collaboration proposals.  Many are related to the Chinese market.

So my journey has just started and I’d say, it will be even more exciting than winning the contest!  Here are what’s next for me and how you can be part of it:

1 I will start my own Li Jing media venture, an “international Chinese Oprah” blog/news site on my reports on culture, fashion, business, celebrities and inspirational stories. It will be bi lingual in Chinese targeting the Chinese market in America, China and around the world and of course, anyone who wants to be successful =) With my unique connections with top American and Chinese media that no one else has, it will reach a market that everyone is trying to reach!

2 Besides the “International Oprah” website, we will also provide media, social media, education and P.R. service for companies, especially those interested in the Chinese market.

3 My ultimate goal is to be the FIRST NON NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER to host my own fun, inspirational and international show on top American and Chinese networks such as Oprah, E!, China’s Dragon TV, CCTV, and Phoenix TV.  It will be in English and Chinese reaching billions of audience around the world.

So I would love to have your support on the following:

1 I want to raise $1-2 million, which is aimed at developing to a multi million/billion dollar company. If you know anyone or you want to invest, contact me. We will reward a finder’s fee. We already have businesses to start in a few weeks and expect a great return!

2 We welcome volunteers/interns in WEB DESIGN, media, marketing, business who want to be part of this exciting journey, with potentials to become a paid position in the future.

3 Contact us for speaking engagements, hosting, media, business and Chinese market opportunities! Our specialties include P.R., media, business, events, bi lingual in English/Chinese and social media.  

4 Share my story and the message of hope! Facebook me li2000@gmail.com, twitter @lijingusa, Chinese twitter http:/t.sina.com.cn/lijingusa, and youtube/jinglimail.  I love reading your comments and emails!

Some of the amazing achievements:
•    Becoming the only Asian and non-native English speaker finalist out of 700 candidates from 29 countries,
•    Being featured by some of the largest American and Chinese media such as LIFE, Getty Image, Wireimage, NY1, China Daily and Sina.com.
•    Many celebrity endorsement such as NBC Anchor Chuck Scarborough, NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, international pianist Lang Lang, former AIG CEO, Starr Foundation’s Chairman Maurice Greenberg, and ABC “The Bachelor” star Lorenzo Borghese as well as well known business brands 230 Fifth and SHECKY’S.  
•    My Dare to Dream finalist event was filmed as one episode by cable Wealth TV’s SOCIAL to air nationwide and internationally in 2011 
•    Youtube video was viewed more than 21,000 times, received more than 50,000 votes and Facebook friend 4 times during the contest.

Tune into ABC News Radio on Friday 3/4 for my interview with talented ABC Anchor Karen Chase on how to find/create your dream job in a tough economy.

Dare To Dream, Never Give Up & Your Dream Will Become True!

Thank you & With Love,

Li =)

Lessons from Shecky’s (sheckys.com) CEO Chris Hoffman: TAKE RISKS! Hoffman left his lucrative Wall Street job and started the national lifestyle company from his apt. 12 yrs later, a multimillion dollar business loved by millions of women=)

Check out Shecky’s FUN Beauty Night Out and Girls Night Out events around the country throughout the year. (in LA & SF 12/1-10) I LOVE THEIR GOODIE BAGS!! So practical and the bag itself is SO worth several tickets already!! Great idea to hang out with girlfriends and boyfriends =)  http://www.sheckys.com/events/

Read Chris Hoffman and Shecky’s inspiring story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shecky%27s_Media,_Inc.

I am so thankful to have Shecky’s support for my Paradisehunter.com global host contest to help me become top 2 voted in the world ( www.paradisehunter.com/vote/Li-Jing.html)!! Voting ends 12/15. You can vote once everyday. You can win a $200 Shecky’s Paradise Hunter Voting For Li Goodie Bag!! Just vote and msg me li2000@gmail.com or FB msg!  =) Thanks!

My lunch with Mr. Larry Leighton was filled with laughter, stimulating conversations, a non stop discovery of his amazingly successful career, admirable work ethnics and great advice! Unlike me =), as Larry said, he spent his whole life hiding. (Ha!)  So I am very flattered to have his permission to post these “rare seen” photos and share some great business/life insights from Larry.

It must be hard to hide as the managing director of a well respected investment bank (http://bentleylp.com/bentleyteam.php?id=17), a graduate of Harvard Business School and members of the prestigeous Harvard and Princeton Club. With decades of investment banking and global experience, active participation in community, education and charity, Larry has lots of great insights which I am honored to share a few:

1 Speak softly, carry a big stick! 

2 Besides hard work and experience, excellent businessmen and politicians need excellent intuition. Trust your intuition—or what we called gut feelings.

3 Integrity is a key factor to succeed in business and life! Integrity is not just honesty, it’s about someone’s soul/life value.

Larry is super wise, warm, and interesting: He is on the board of several major organizations such as China Pharmaceutical group and put lots of effort in education.  As for our lunch at Capitalgrille (thecapitalgrille.com), it was great and thank God Larry made reservation because it was so crowded (Wednesday lunch?) and filled with the dapper finance-type professionals. 

Lastly, let’s check out the menu! I had smoked salmon as appetizer and lobster and crab burger for entree. They tasted great, “maybe not the best or favorite” as Larry said, but I love the environment and the smoked salmon, so healthy!

A true stimulating time with a wonderful and refreshingly interesting banking friend!

Covering improeverywhere was one of the craziest jobs I’ve ever done…I was wrapped into a mummy with toilet paper on camera! How did I do? watch my video below

At China’s 61 anniversary party in NY’s Chinese Consulate!  I love the elegant deco and enjoyed meeting ambassador Keyu Peng, and guess what, I bumped into my former bosses from CBS and NBC. It was a fun and great event!