Ever dreamed of launching a new venture or operating a small business in the world’s largest, fastest growing, and most dynamic consumer market? Thousands of adventurous businesspeople from around the world have followed this dream all the way to China - and more are joining them as the country matures, opens and internationalizes.

But among those who land in China dreaming of one billion customers, only a few survive. What are the key success factors in starting or operating a small business in China today? This is the question that led Dr. Juan Antonio Fernandez, a professor at the China Europe International Business School, and veteran China-based business journalist Laurie Underwood to write China Entrepreneur: Voices of Experience from 40 International Business Pioneers.

Based on in-depth interviews with 40 successful expatriate entrepreneurs in China, this book is packed with street-tested insights, anecdotes and first-hand advice from interviewees based in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and beyond. Hailing from 25 countries and regions and a variety of industries, the 33 men and seven women featured in China Entrepreneur share these key qualities in common: the determination, knowledge, connections, and spirit necessary to build a start-up business in China.

The goal of China Entrepreneur is simple: to help businesspeople from around the world build a small business in China. Covering the most critical steps for a new business – from winning the necessary Chinese government approvals and finding start-up funding, to fighting corruption and negotiating with Chinese suppliers – the book includes, in the words of one reviewer, “a lot of blood, sweat and tears.”

As one of the book’s 40 profiled business pioneers put it: “Entrepreneurs should talk to other entrepreneurs….You hear real stories from people who have been through it before.” The purpose of this book is to collect and share “real stories” and offer real advice from real China entrepreneurs.