Fired From Office, Now Thriving With a Car Full of Foreigners

Source: OT-Team(G), 湖南日报

After a corporate layoff, a Shanghai manager turned ride-hailing driver—and built a thriving business serving foreign visitors.

Seven, a 43-year-old former senior manager at a multinational in Shanghai, lost his job during a round of corporate downsizing 4 years ago. What might have been a devastating setback instead became an unexpected turning point. Today, he runs a small but thriving ride-hailing business tailored to foreign visitors — and he insists he has never slept better or earned more.

Seven's journey began more than a decade earlier, when he sensed that age would eventually put him at a disadvantage in the job market. "At 30, I could already see that competing with younger generations would be tough," he recalled. "So I decided to focus on English." To practice, he rented out a spare room near a university district to international students and interns. Over ten years, he lived alongside tenants from more than 20 countries, sharpening his ear for accents and learning to converse comfortably with foreigners.

That investment proved decisive. By the time his corporate career ended, Seven already had eight years of part-time ride-hailing experience. Initially he treated driving as a stopgap while applying for new jobs. But soon, he realized his English skills gave him a unique edge. Foreign passengers enjoyed his easy conversation, local insights, and food recommendations. Many returned for repeat rides and recommended him to friends, creating a loyal "private client base."

Business grew quickly. Today, Seven has saved the contacts of more than 1,000 international passengers and even formed a small fleet of carefully selected fellow drivers. The expansion of China's visa-free policy has brought even more visitors, boosting his orders by as much as 70–80% year-on-year.

Seven doesn't just drive. Often, he doubles as guide, interpreter, or even informal business assistant when foreign clients visit factories outside Shanghai. He summarizes his formula for success in five points: English fluency, deep local knowledge, an outgoing personality, a passion for sharing food and culture, and — crucially — genuine enthusiasm for the ride-hailing profession. "Many drivers see this work as a burden," he explained. "But passengers can sense whether you enjoy what you're doing."

His reputation has brought both colorful encounters and extraordinary stories. One evening, he chauffeured a Broadway magician from New York who tipped him double the fare after a night tour of the Bund's light show. On another occasion, he helped three Russian businessmen recover a forgotten bag containing more than $100,000 in cash. After hours of retracing their steps and with police assistance, the bag was safely returned. One grateful passenger handed Seven a $100 tip — the largest of his career.

The interior of his car reflects these experiences. Banknotes from around the world, given as tips, now cover the roof of his vehicle. "The first one was a £5 note," he said proudly. "Each one is a memory."

Beyond the income, Seven values recognition. His family still struggles with the social stigma of his new profession, but he insists he has found meaning. "It's not just about money. It's about being respected," he said.

Looking ahead, Seven plans to grow his business into an online travel company. Once his private network of foreign clients reaches around 10,000, he intends to step back from daily driving and focus on training and managing his team. "There's still so much room to take this further," he said with conviction.