Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Wang Ning, founder and CEO of Pop Mart, China's leading designer toy company, said that one of his company's core missions is to help pure artists gain global recognition and respect.
Wang founded Pop Mart in 2010 with a vision to bridge art and commerce.
"There have been challenges in the entrepreneurial journey, but it is also very interesting. You'll find that you're able to engage with different cultures, work alongside colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, and receive insights and perspectives from their cultures. This makes the entire company culturally rich, as everyone brings different strengths and expertise to the table," Wang said in a interview with China Media Group (CMG).
Wang said that in the early days, the team operated in a modest two-bedroom apartment in Beijing.
"It was a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment. One bedroom housed four people, another room served as the office, a few desks were set up in the living room, and our kitchen was used as the warehouse," Wang recalled.
That humble beginning laid the foundation for what would become a global phenomenon. In December 2020, exactly ten years after its founding, Pop Mart went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. To mark the milestone, Wang personally edited a commemorative video capturing the company's first decade -- a project he felt only he could truly do justice to.
One of the most pivotal moments in Pop Mart's rise came in 2016, when Wang signed Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong, the creator of Molly, the wide-eyed, pouty-lipped character who would become the brand's flagship IP.
"I remember that day very clearly. It was April 1, 2016. When I first visited the studio of Molly's designer Kenny Wong, I was immediately struck by how many amazing designs he had. He was so excited to share with me the time he created each character as well as their sales volume. He told me 'This one I sold 100 units; that one sold 50; this one sold 200.' I told him these designs were so brilliant, the works were so exceptional, yet they hadn't truly been commercialized. That's when it hit me: our industry actually carries significant social value. We have the power to help pure artists -- those who dedicate themselves to artistic expression -- gain recognition and respect from people all around the world," said Wang.
That vision has since been realized. Today, Pop Mart sells over 10 million Molly dolls annually, far exceeding anything its designer could have imagined when he first created the character.
Pop Mart aims to help true artists gain global recognition: founder
