For Nancy Yang, Vice President of Prodata International Corp., embracing Alibaba.com was more than a strategic shift—it was a bold step toward redefining her family business’s future. Inheriting decades of industrial wire assembly expertise, she saw e-commerce as the bridge to global markets, freeing the company from the constraints of traditional trade shows and opening doors to buyers across the world.
- Nancy Yang, Vice President of Prodata International Corp.
Prodata International, established in 1988, had built a solid reputation for precision parts and wire processing. Yet, despite their technical prowess, international sales remained reliant on costly exhibitions. “We realized that exhibition costs were too high, and the effectiveness was gradually declining,” Nancy shares. Joining Alibaba.com in 2021 changed everything.
Logging in for eight hours a day, five days a week, Nancy meticulously manages the company’s digital storefront. With over 5,000 products listed, they now receive 20 to 50 inquiries monthly from the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, and Eastern Europe, generating between $5,000 and $10,000 in monthly revenue. The company’s annual revenue through Alibaba.com now ranges from $30,000 to $200,000—a testament to Alibaba.com’s power in transforming business reach.
Participating in the Alibaba.com Asia-Pacific Cross-Border E-commerce Expert Competition was a turning point for Nancy. Competing alongside younger e-commerce innovators offered her fresh perspectives on market adaptation and consumer trends. “The competition gave us an opportunity to reassess our understanding of Alibaba.com and think about the future. It was a valuable learning experience, pushing us to explore new ideas and better respond to market shifts,” she reflects.
As a second-generation successor, Nancy balances preserving her family’s legacy with the pursuit of innovation. She actively studies Alibaba.com’s analytics, refines product listings, and uses buyer inquiries to shape new product lines. Prodata International’s three-star rating on Alibaba.com is not just a badge of honor but a reflection of their relentless dedication to service and quality.
Beyond the numbers, Nancy cherishes the connections she’s built through Alibaba.com. “We’ve learned so much from other businesses’ experiences. Sharing knowledge and strategies has helped us grow, not just in sales but in our overall approach to global business,” she says.
Her role as a lecturer on Alibaba.com has added another layer of fulfillment to her e-commerce journey. Teaching others about Alibaba.com’s features, she empowers fellow business owners to harness digital tools for growth. Nancy finds immense joy in guiding new sellers through the complexities of online trade, knowing that her insights can shape their success.
Looking ahead, Nancy is optimistic. She envisions further product diversification, enhanced marketing strategies, and deeper integration with Alibaba.com’s tools to sharpen their competitive edge. She also plans to deliver more lectures, sharing her evolving knowledge and inspiring a new generation of digital entrepreneurs. For her, digital transformation is not just a necessity—it's a gateway to limitless opportunities.
Nancy’s journey with Alibaba.com is a powerful reminder of what happens when tradition meets innovation. By embracing change, learning from the global e-commerce community, and relentlessly pursuing excellence, she has propelled Prodata International into a future of boundless potential—proving that with vision and determination, businesses can not only survive but thrive in the digital age.