A faded photo shows Zhang's grandfather carrying hefty rope samples, traveling door-to-door in the 20th century—when nets were painstakingly handwoven. By Zhang's childhood, machines dominated: rope-twisters and weaving looms hummed nonstop in factories his father built.

　　While his father's generation expanded scale and refined quality, Zhang felt a deeper calling upon graduating. “This rope binds three generations—and the town's fate,“ he says. Returning home, he became the successor of rope-net industry.

　　Yet challenges awaited: homogenized products and profit-squeezing price wars. Zhang knew his mission: to weave a new web sustaining the old industry in the internet age.

　　Touched by the Net: The First Threads

　　“Internet + rope nets“ sparked opportunity. “My generation focuses on trade—connecting our products to global buyers,“ Zhang explains. He launched live sales on Douyin and Kuaishou. Initial streams drew just 30–40 viewers, but as a factory-direct seller offering quality and value, he persevered.

　　His breakthrough came on May 23, 2023: a viral video with 60+ million views brought 10,000+ orders overnight—a “pleasant headache“ that strained factory capacity. Online demand spurred offline expansion; his phone became the plant's command center. Today, his store boasts 101,000 followers, with 270,000+ shade nets sold.

　　Nets Cast Wide: Spanning the World

　　As e-commerce competition intensified, Zhang looked beyond borders. In 2024, he tapped overseas social media, showcasing factory operations and product details to build trust. “International clients often follow us for months before ordering,“ he notes. Steady content won confidence in quality and after-sales support, fueling overseas sales.