Club ensures rosy prospects for ex-Alibaba staff members

Yang joined the Ex-Alibabaer Club at the end of 2013. Recommended by Sean Shou, Yang became the organizer of the club's Shanghai branch in 2014 due to his helpfulness and enthusiasm.

"I set up my own business at an earlier time. Therefore, my personal experiences and connections will be somehow quite helpful to other club members. I really hope that the club will become a channel to provide all kinds of knowledge and help," he said.

"For me, it was also a great privilege to be included in this club. This is not only because I have reconnected with my former colleagues, but also because I have met a large number of very talented people, who have provided me with help in my work and life. This is also in line with the club's motto of 'realizing every member's dream'," he added.

Hu Zhe, 33, left Alibaba in 2010 after working for the company for five years, departing as the corporate affairs department manager. With the dream of establishing his own company, he went to Beijing and set up an Internet company, which he later sold to Alibaba.

But after this deal, he signed a prohibition of business strife contract, which means that he will not be able to work for a similar Internet company any time soon.

Luckily, he started to pick up knowledge about Chinese traditional art and antiques, as his father is a specialist in this area. His interest helped him set up a brand new business providing Chinese lifestyle products and renovating the 144-year-old brand name Jiaoyeshanfang, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

In 2011, Hu re-registered this century-old brand name and started to operate it both online and offline.

For the online platform, Hu's company sell all kinds of Chinese-style products such as guqin－a seven-stringed plucked instrument similar to the zither－incense, teacups, writing materials for Chinese calligraphy and even Chinese traditional style furniture.

Jiaoyeshanfang also has a brick-and-mortar store in Hangzhou, where consumers can have a closer look at its products and experience the exquisite layout of the space heavily influenced by traditional Chinese culture. Consumers can get their gifts tailor-made at Jiaoyeshanfang, and can also seek professional help from it in terms of decorating their home or offices.

Starting as a one-man business, Hu now has around 30 employees. The company's clients are all big names including museums such as the Imperial Palace and Suzhou Museum, industry key players such as Hanergy Holding Group Ltd and Alibaba, as well as boutique hotels like Four Seasons and Aman Resorts.

"The ultimate goal is simple and clear, which is to become the leading Chinese-style brand," said Hu.

Hu joined the Ex-Alibabaer Club last year. Soon after Spring Festival, the club recommended candidates appropriate for his company, which Hu thinks is of great help.

"Former Alibaba employees are closely connected, as if there is a bond linking us together. The club serves as a very important platform for us to communicate and exchange ideas," he said.