TikTok Story: Bewakoof Founder Shares Zhang Yiming’s Bold Choice
In a world where prestige and status often dictate our choices, it’s refreshing to hear a story that celebrates the power of following one’s passion and joy. The journey of Zhang Yiming, the founder of TikTok, is a testament to this philosophy. In a recent conversation with Bewakoof founder Prabhkiran, he shared the fascinating story of how Zhang Yiming chose Nankai University, a relatively unknown institution in China, over elite colleges. This bold choice was driven by his desire for a laid-back lifestyle, seafood, and freedom, rather than prestige.
In India, where the obsession with rank and status is deeply ingrained in our culture, Zhang Yiming’s story is a powerful reminder that personal alignment, not approval, can drive success. So, what inspired this unconventional choice, and how did it ultimately lead to the creation of ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, worth over $300 billion?
A Different Kind of Student
Born in 1983, Zhang Yiming grew up in a small town in China. Unlike many of his peers, he wasn’t driven by the desire to attend a top-tier university. In fact, he was more interested in playing video games and reading books than pursuing a traditional academic path. When he was accepted into Nankai University, he saw it as an opportunity to escape the pressures of elite colleges and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.
During his time at Nankai, Zhang Yiming was free to pursue his passions, including developing his own software and games. This period of relative freedom allowed him to experiment and learn at his own pace, laying the foundation for his future success.
The Power of Alignment
So, what drove Zhang Yiming’s unconventional choice? In a world where prestige and status often dictate our decisions, his decision to attend Nankai University was a bold one. By choosing a university that aligned with his values and lifestyle, Zhang Yiming was able to focus on what truly mattered to him – personal growth, experimentation, and innovation.
In an interview with Prabhkiran, Bewakoof’s founder, Zhang Yiming credited his time at Nankai with giving him the freedom to explore his interests and develop his skills. He noted that, in contrast to elite colleges, Nankai University was more focused on practical skills and less on theory, making it an ideal environment for him to learn and grow.
The Birth of ByteDance
After graduating from Nankai University, Zhang Yiming went on to found ByteDance, a company that would eventually become one of the most successful technology companies in the world. Initially, ByteDance focused on developing mobile apps, including a news aggregation app called Jinri Toutiao.
In 2016, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, a short-form video app, and merged it with its own short-form video app, Douyin. The resulting platform, TikTok, would go on to become a global phenomenon, with over a billion active users worldwide.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Students Alike
Zhang Yiming’s journey is a powerful reminder that, in the pursuit of success, it’s essential to align oneself with one’s values and passions. In a world where status and prestige often dictate our choices, it’s easy to get caught up in the desire to attend the “right” university or pursue the “right” career.
However, as Zhang Yiming’s story shows, following one’s joy and aligning oneself with one’s values can lead to far greater success – and happiness – in the long run. For entrepreneurs, this means taking risks and pursuing opportunities that align with their passions, rather than trying to conform to traditional models of success.
For students, this means considering alternative paths and opportunities that align with their interests and values, rather than feeling pressured to attend a particular university or pursue a specific career.
Conclusion
Zhang Yiming’s story is a powerful reminder that, in the pursuit of success, it’s essential to prioritize personal alignment and joy over status and prestige. By choosing Nankai University, Zhang Yiming was able to focus on what truly mattered to him – personal growth, experimentation, and innovation – and went on to build a global empire.
As we reflect on Zhang Yiming’s journey, it’s clear that his bold choice was a key factor in his success. By embracing his passions and values, he was able to create a company that has changed the world – and in doing so, has inspired countless entrepreneurs and students to follow in his footsteps.
Source:
https://ascendants.in/business-stories/tiktok-story-by-bewakoof-prabhkiran/
