Fund consultant from Tanzania
"I never regret my decision to quit the medical profession because I'm achieving my success in a better way," said Patrick Samuel, a 42-year-old Tanzanian entrepreneur in Beijing.
When Samuel finished his medical education in Peking University in 2003, he landed a job as doctor with Peking University Third Hospital.
However, around 2007, China's rapid economic strides convinced him to branch out to the business of investments.
He figured he "did not have the luxury of time" to spend at least 20 years to attain professional excellence as a doctor, including pursuit of further studies. He quit and in 2008, started Beijing New Horizon Investment Consulting Co, which provides investment proposals to private clients.
Although his family and friends thought he had gone crazy, Samuel remained focused and earned his spurs the hard way, learning about business and investments by burning the midnight oil.
"To be a successful consultant, you need lots of talent. You've to be a jack of all trades in the real sense," Samuel said. "I read over 60 books per year and that is just not any book."
His services include profit forecasts and investment viability assessments. The Beijing-based company serves more than 1,500 customers and earns around 5 million yuan ($747,000) per year.
Many Tanzanian companies seek Samuel's services to forge cooperation agreements with Chinese companies. "China is a Land of Opportunity and so is Tanzania, especially after the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is a project that will benefit the world, especially Africa."
In March 2017, with the help of New Horizon, representatives of the Burundi government visited Tellhow Sci-Tech Co, a listed high-tech company in Nanchang, and planned to establish a diesel power plant near the capital Bujumbura.
"With most of my adult life spent in China, I have established a strong connection with this country," said Samuel. "Immerse yourself in the culture of China, and you'll soon find a way to achieve your goal here."
