From shutterbug to velvet rugs

Executives often boast of being "self-made" men, but the life of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co President Li Shufu has truly been a journey from rags to riches.

The man who leads his company in the landmark acquisition of globally renowned brand Volvo recounted his story on Nov 10 at a get-together in Tianjin for Geely GX7 drivers, many of whom can relate as owners of small and medium-sized enterprises striving to make their businesses bigger and stronger.

At the gathering, Li told of how his first investment ever was a single second-hand camera that he bought from his father for 120 yuan in 1982 at the age of 19.