Having lived in Shanghai for about nine years, Liu has no idea how much wealth she has attained, for she has loyal staff to manage it - freeing her to lead "whatever kind of life I like," as she puts it.

Liu sometimes regrets her decision to turn down an offer from the best Swiss hotel management school, which would have enabled her to further develop her career in the hospitality industry, in which she had nine years of experience in Shandong Province.

But most of the time Liu feels she is lucky to have found a career she is interested in - design and the sale of women's fashion accessories.

"Interest is the key to success," said Liu, who has now set up six fashion accessory chain stores in the city and created her own brand.

Her accessories, either imported from foreign countries or designed by herself, are gorgeous with their dazzling colors.

"Chinese women are becoming more fashionable in their dress, but they seldom pay attention to accessories, and are not brave enough to wear peacocky ones," Liu said.

A Six-year Search

Liu did not discover her vocation at the very beginning, but after a six-year search.

She was determined to stay in Shanghai while she studied German at a local university in preparation for further studies in Switzerland. Liu found Shanghai a nice city that gave many opportunities to everyone.

She opened a restaurant and ran it for two years, only to find that she was not so interested in that line of business.

After two years of research in local and overseas markets, Liu opened her first fashion accessories store.

Working 12-hour days, Liu insists on inspecting all six of her stores in various parts of the city. It's not a burden but an enjoyment in her eyes, for the business interests her. She enjoys the life, traveling around to explore new styles and products to take back to her stores.

"As long as you have enthusiasm about life, and confidence, you can live well wherever you go. I never felt unable to deal with Shanghai and the locals," she said.

Hating to resort to tricks to attain business success, Liu believes honesty can bring about friends and customers.

'Stay Single'

Her ambition is to open a Chinese fashion accessories and dress shop in Las Vegas and to start a fashion magazine in Shanghai.

Liu advised those who want to start a business to stay single. They should have the courage to bear loneliness, she explained.

Liu has been apart from her husband and daughter, who live in Shandong Province, for eight years. Friends say she leads a modern life. She has not divorced her husband, although they once determined to do so. They are now more like friends than husband and wife.

"We have agreed that when one of us meets a suitable partner, we can part. He supports what I am doing," Liu said.

She said that at her age, she will not take love too seriously. She thinks happiness is the most important thing.

But her 14-year-old daughter is her cherished pearl. Liu puts aside all the work to accompany her during school holidays.

"My daughter will certainly take over my enterprise and become the best designer of my products," Liu said.

(Shanghai Star July 19, 2002)