Chris Zhong | Upswing Pioneer
After completing his undergraduate in the UK, Chris pursued his education in Japan.
After graduating, he worked in the marketing and advertising market for ten years. He considers himself a perfectionist, both when working and having fun. However, Hangover has always been one of his biggest enemies that stopped him from giving 100% at work and having the best time after.
1. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO WORK WITH UPSWING?
Before I started Upswing with Young and the rest of the team, I had used many other similar products, the majority of which were from Japan. However, in terms of results, I could not really find an effective product with an easy access to sales channel or at a reasonable price.
I met Young in 2021, back then he introduced me to an Upswing sample, and it really worked for me. A few months later, I was thrilled to be invited to join the founding team of Upswing. My aim was to use my knowledge in communication and marketing to build awareness of Upswing among the public and to help people create a perfect balanced, productive, and fun life.
2. WHAT WAS YOUR PREVIOUS AIM? DID IT CHANGE?
My aim has always been to connect people to make the world a better place. And it has not changed since I was in college.
“I believe in Upswing, it is something that truly connects people who are looking for a good balance between work and life.”
3. WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR SOCIETY?
I envision a society where everybody lives in harmony with themselves: people do the right things, things they are passionate about. However, in reality, most people spend their whole life searching for their passions. I hope Upswing can allow more people to be more productive and find their passions easily.
4. WHAT IS UPSWING’S CULTURE, VISION AND MAIN VALUES?
At Upswing, we want to create a healthy, fun, and productive world with the combination of modern technology and natural ingredients.
5. LESSONS LEARNED ALONG THE WAY?
There is no bad product in the market, but only products targeted at the wrong customers with the wrong communication placed in the wrong sales channel.
6.HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
I believe everyone is talented at something. Success is about finding what you are good at and build a passion on top of that talent.
8. WHAT ROLE DOES FAILURE PLAY IN SUCCESS?
One less thing to try out in life.
9. HOW DO YOU FACE HARDSHIPS?
Identify and write down problems that need to be solved, discuss them with my team, then solve the problems together.
10. WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR PEOPLE PURSUING THEIR DREAMS?
Think different and just do it because tomorrow starts now.
11. WHAT DOES HEALTH MEAN TO YOU?
Health means I could comfortably be myself whenever and wherever, both physically and mentally.
12. HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT/HEALTHY?
I work out 3 times a week and often go on trips close to the nature to keep fit. I also mediate every day to keep myself mentally healthy.
13. WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT UPSWING?
We not only make products that can solve people’s daily problems, but we also try to create a value and a lifestyle for those who would like to live in a healthy, productive but also fun world.
13. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My inspirations are mostly from reading about history and having conversations with people who had a very different life experience from me.
14. GO-TO PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
My lifehack is spending time in the nature. After all, we are all a part of it. Everything we do and create with our team is to contribute to harmony between humans and nature. Spending time outdoors always reminds me what I am working for, and that can help me to enhance my productivity.
15. HOW DO YOU REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL?
A combination of good sleep, meditation and work out.
16. HOW DO YOU REACH WORK-LIFE BALANCE?
Staying focused is very important to me because we all only have 24 hours a day. If we have no power over changing this fact, then why not try to improve the quality of the hours we have, so we can be more efficient at work and have a better time having fun. And that is exactly what Upswing is trying to help people with.
17. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?
I spend most of my time with my family. And other than that, I like to read (history books mostly) and meeting people with different backgrounds and experience.
18. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE?
Together with the team, I would like to explore more products based on our values and promote this work-life balance concept among more people on a global level.
19. WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL?
My goal is to achieve a healthy and happy family life and to be able to work on things that can make my family and friends proud of. That’s why we started business in the industry that helps people create a healthier lifestyle.
20. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR PAST-SELF?
I would tell my past self to focus more on present, because what you focus on now creates a better tomorrow. And that’s why we named our group At Now Group.