Jeff Gao

You have to be prepared to do things that other people don’t want to do. No pain. No gain.

 

Jeff Gao is the founder and CEO of Lordhair, one of the leading hair system brands that designs and supplies non-surgical hair replacement solutions to men and women across the world. In just one decade, he has established Lordhair as one of the most trusted hair solution suppliers in the competitive markets of the USA, Canada, the UK, and Asia.

The young entrepreneur quickly carved out a niche in the custom hair system market by evolving a unique approach that guarantees hair systems that are tailored to the exact needs of its global clients. Jeff is an avid supporter of business transparency and believes that Lordhair exists to make customers feel better about themselves. Jeff’s vision has made the hair replacement brand popular amongst men and women who are struggling with hair troubles and looking for a cost effective solution.

Over the years, the stock and custom hair system brand has garnered top class reviews from customers while following the custom experience roadmap designed by Jeff. When not creating strategies to take his brand to new audiences and markets, he loves to read and spend time with his family. In the next 5 years, Jeff wants to establish Lordhair as the best non-surgical hair system brand in the world.

Where did the idea for Lordhair come from?

Initially it was a business idea but over time the pride I was taking in learning about the positive effects our products were having on people’s appearance and confidence came to be a major driving force behind the business.
The name Lordhair actually came from watching the Nicolas Cage movie Lord of War and the “lord” in Lordhair was a reference to being number one and at the top of your game as we hope to be the world’s best hair supplier.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

It actually begins with taking my daughter to school before heading over to our company office. The first thing I will do is open up my notebook and check my to-do list. I will complete anything left uncompleted from the day before and then make a plan for the day. Most days revolve around checking and replying to emails and arranging meetings. In terms of making my days productive, I find that constantly reminding myself of our company’s monthly and yearly targets and making sure my work and the company’s work revolves around that makes for greater productivity.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I find that discussing my ideas with other people really helps. I read a lot of books and articles and that seems to help bring my ideas to life. Most of my best ideas actually come from my morning shower!

What’s one trend that excites you?

It’s a bit general but it has to be the continuing development of the internet and the way in which it bridges people all over the world.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I alluded to it before but my notebook plays a big part in being productive and making sure whatever I do is geared towards monthly and yearly targets. Taking time out too as I like to contemplate and reflect on things and recharge myself a bit.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I could’ve been a bit friendlier and less short with people. Understanding how people can benefit from you. I would also tell myself to read more good books. I still read now but finding time to read has become harder as my responsibilities, and particularly my family ones, have grown.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I never try to offend people and I make sure I listen to people so I’m not sure if I’ve ever said something that almost nobody has agreed on. Maybe you should ask my employees though!

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I just think you have to be prepared to work hard. You have to be prepared to do things that other people don’t want to do. No pain. No gain. That sort of idea. I’ve learned that you can’t afford to stay still and rest on your laurels.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

To be independent in all aspects of our business as I believe this makes for smoother business operations. I also want everyone to benefit from the business. Customers. Staff. Myself. A business can’t work if not everyone benefits. This is a second point but being credible and reliable are very important too. We try and be as transparent as possible.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

It’s relevant to being independent which I’ve just talked about. There was one time when I made a poor judgement in choosing to work with a third-party IT company which set the company back a good few months. The company just didn’t share the same values and ethics but I’ve learned from it and I don’t outsource any IT work anymore. All IT is now done in-house.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Without going into too much detail, we’re working towards making the order and production process more transparent for customers. We’ll be paying careful attention on custom orders in this regard.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

If you’re familiar with Chinese offices and workplaces, you’ll notice a lot of greenery. I actually spent close to $100 on plants for the office the other week. It’s all about purifying the air and making for a better working environment. It’s quite normal here in China.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

It would have to be WeChat. You can’t live without it in China whether you’re Chinese or not! If you don’t know then it’s an instant messaging platform that everyone has on their phones. Sort of like a cross between Facebook and WhatsApp. But you can do everything from WeChat, from buying plane tickets to making online payments to sharing photos and videos. Business-wise, I do a lot of networking on it too.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Secret“. The self-help book by Rhonda Byrne. It’s a book I strongly believe in and I’ve shared the book and the movie with all of my staff.

What is your favorite quote?

生于忧患，死于安乐
(Shēng yú yōu huàn , sǐ yú ān lè).

It’s an old Chinese idiom that can be translated into English in two ways: to thrive in calamity and perish in soft living or life springs from sorrow and calamity, death comes from ease and pleasure.

Key Learnings:

• Whatever you do work-wise, always think of the bigger picture.
• It’s not a good idea until you’ve shared it with other people and got feedback from them
• Empower employees and give them independence. A business can’t grow if not everyone is benefiting from it and that includes your employees as much as your customers.
• You can’t live in China without WeChat!

Connect:

www.lordhair.com/
Lordhair on Facebook: www.facebook.com/toupeesformen
Lordhair on Twitter: twitter.com/LordhairToupee
Lordhair on Instagram: www.instagram.com/lordhairtoupee/