The long and winding road to success

Car-hailing company boss shares her customer-centric approach and challenges of balancing work with family

Jean Liu, president of the country's largest car-hailing company, was celebrating her 37th birthday on the day China Daily interviewed her. Liu's office could barely fit four people at a time, roughly the same capacity as a regular Beijing cab.

At her office, however, there were no signs of any party. A prolonged business meeting had made her almost miss lunch. Two bouquets and a navy-blue gift box bound with purple ribbons were the only suggestion that someone was having a special day.