Girl Power! Meet the Girls Behind Shanghai's Super Communities

We’re taking a look at some truly inspirational Shanghai gals. These ladies have built amazing groups and communities, from fitness clubs. foodies, LGBT groups to travel enthusiasts. 

GGI (GIRL GONE INTERNATIONAL)

Michelle Ibarra, Asia & Oceania Regional Manager

Main Focus: Women supporting each other globally

Size: 10,000 active members in 10 cities across Asia, 3,000 in Shanghai

How did you end up where you are today?

Five years ago I was planning to move to Europe but had no friends there. I found the GGI community and met Anne Scott, the founder. We became great friends and she introduced me to women all over Europe. When I moved back to Asia I told her I would happily support and grow GGI Asia.   

What's your life mantra?

Don't be selfish. Help and treat others how you want to be treated. Pay it forward. 

Why did you start this community?

I am not the founder of GGI but I do support all of the Asian and Oceania cities...17 in total. I do it because I know what it's like being new in a foreign country (China is my 6th country in 7 years). I think it's important for women to feel a sense of comfort in knowing that wherever they move, a community will be there to support them. 

What has been your biggest achievement?

Organically growing Asia from its first city in Seoul, to ten cities in only three years. Meeting other women who also volunteer their time but are also passionate about supporting their community. 

How have you managed difficulties?

Time management. Efficiency. I am a teacher as well as a business-owner. If I didn't manage my time wisely I wouldn't sleep!

Website:  www.girlgoneinternational.com

WeChat personal: MichelleyIbarra

MADE IN SHANGHAI

Adja Lalu, owner of Lalu skincare

Main Focus: Community for Shanghai based craftsmen and entrepreneurs

Members: More than 500

How did you end up where you are today?

A night of frustration brought me to seek pampering through homemade skin care. I felt so good that I forgot all my issues and just slept like a baby. Since I knew I had to create and share something I love. I created LALU NATURAL SKINCARE, It became my therapy through life, my passion. Something changed in me, I gained confidence, realized that anything was possible and started to do what I love. Following that I created Made in Shanghai to celebrate all the craftsmanship and entrepreneurs in Shanghai.

What's your life mantra?

DARE to be yourself. Live every day like there is no other. Be creative, be weird, be YOU.

Why did you start this community?

I started this community to help all the entrepreneurs who are in the same position I was when I started Lalu. I had no clue on anything and many were experiencing the same issues. My group connects event organizers and entrepreneurs. By sharing our database, we have a supportive community that shares information on any topics related to business. We accomplish more together as a community than alone.

What has been your biggest achievement?

Everything! I am the laziest person ever and when I see where I am today, I feel like every day is an achievement. More seriously, starting Lalu, loving and listening to myself is one of my biggest achievements. I have a team working  to expand Lalu, I run two communities on wechat. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I could do that. 

How have you managed difficulties?

HOPE and believing in myself. When one door closes, another opens to you, it is up to you to stay down or not. Someone told me: "You are your worst enemy." and it is true. Fight your internal battles, carry on in the hardest times, seek the help you need among your family, friends or professionals.

Wechat personal: AdjaLalu

Lalu Natural Skincare wechat: LaluNaturalSkincare

INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND BRUNCH

Ambra Schilliro, Owner, Social Cloud PR

Main Focus: Gather international community, around a table, for brunch!

Members: Internations 697, Meet Up 2021, Couch Surfing 20

How did you end up where you are today?

It started 7 years ago when a fashion journalist (me) watched a Chinese TV show in Italy. I was so amazed that one week later I was in China. 

What's your life mantra?

Awareness, live the moment. One day at a time. This last sentence is also tattooed on my body, in case I may forget.

Why did you start this community?

I used to gather people in Italy so I decided to do it also here… for brunch! I created a group on Meetup Shanghai Socialize and became a consul of Internations for brunch and lunch.

What has been your biggest achievement?

Opening my own company, becoming the president of the Sicilian Association in China to found the China fashion group, and some other stuff. Here, if you work hard and are willing to take risks, you can get really big achievements.

How have you managed difficulties?

In a country so competitive in every aspect, you face challenges everyday. Sometimes I honestly just get mad. Meditation is a way I regainsome peace, I do it daily (using the Headspace App). I also hit the gym (nothing better than "swim the problems away") or saying the serenity prayerseveral times loudly. We’re bound to face problems somewhere along the way no matter what we do, our attitude is what can turn those problems into opportunities.

Social Cloud Wechat: socialcloud

STEP IT UP

Sharon, Founder

Main Focus: Challenge yourself and your friends through different activities

Members: 500+

How did you end up where you are today?

In 2015 I lost 20kg with the great support of my boyfriend, who is an expert in sports and training. However, after moving to China, I found it extremely difficult to eat healthy without overpaying and that resulted in gaining some of the weight back. Before going back home for Xmas I wanted to rebalance my weight, hence I got the idea to walk 500,000 steps in the 31 days leading up to Christmas. Beyond my imagination, this grew to a big challenge with a lot of participants stepping with me, some great food and fitness sponsors and the drive to organize more of these challenges.

What's your life mantra? 

'Commit or Quit'

Why did you start this community? 

I want to show the people that it IS possible to stay on the healthy track while living in Shanghai, by organizing these health events. I always try to get the best deals for my members so money is not an issue or an excuse to to go eat cheap and unhealthy food.

What has been your biggest achievement? 

I never thought Step It Up would grow to this, so I'm very proud of the community itself.  We share our passion.Project wise- the upcoming Shanghai Walkathon is the biggest event.  It sold out in only a few weeks!

How have you managed difficulties? 

My biggest struggle is time.  I work part-time as both an English teacher and Dutch teacher,  so I wasn't actually prepared to put all of my spare time into Step It Up.  I'm lucky to do something I have fun with though and have a very supportive surroundings!

Instagram: browniesandbananas

Wechat personal: sctderooij

Step it up wechat: stepitup

ACRO YOGA

Ammi, Heather, Jingyee, Fernanda , Vanessa 

Group based community 

Main Focus: Practice with yoga enthusiasts on Sunday afternoons at  Xuhui park to practice acro yoga 

Members: 500 +

How did you end up where you are today?

The acroyogaShanghai group started around 2.5 years ago with a common idea to share similar interests. First time was only two people. One person leads you to another, to another posture or trick to try. The community slowly expanded itself without promotion, people came to us to be part of the community via Meetup, Facebook, or just simply walking past when we practice and want to get involved.  Word of mouth spreads fast and so does the fun that is brought forth with acroyoga.

What's the group mantra?

Group based community to share, trust, communication, contribute and spread love

Why have you decided to take action in this community?

We love our community and the way that we are all so involved in it. We don't have a leader and we base our activities on whatever people have to give to each other: knowledge, time, interest, inspiration, space, etc. The fact that the community is not centralized means that we have people coming and going, long wechat conversations and sometimes no focus. But it also means that everyone is welcome to participate and be as active as they want/ can. It is not based in pressure, responsibilities or ego. It is based on friendship and pure love of doing something great as a group

What have been your biggest achievements?

To help people to develop talents, as a community.  We are all part of this achievement. Ammi is a great organizer, Heather is a great teacher, Jingyee as an events manager, Fernanda as our cheerleader and hospitable person, and Vanessa as is one of the most experienced monkey among the community. 

How have you managed difficulties?

Many talented people left Shanghai, it is hard to grow a community and keep it consistent. Somehow our community keeps flourishing because we have new people all the time and we are good at helping people develop talents. 

Another major challenge is to progress faster because we don't have a lot of highly-experienced people in the community. We watch a lot of videos and get insights exchanging moves with each other. And the same way people leave, we sometimes have experienced visitors coming by and proposing something new.

WeChat QR code: Zoegys

LADIES TREATS

Josephine, BD manager PINK Diamonds

Main Focus: Share all the tips, advises and deals between ladies and go party!

Member: 700 +

How did you end up where you are today?

I started my new life in Shanghai two years ago, coming here as an exchange student for 6 months. I met a lot of people, grew my network and fell in love with the city. I decided to stay. I got awesome job opportunities in nightlife, F&B, and marketing. I’m currently the BD Manager for PINK Diamonds Boutique & Senior PR Organizer at Esee Lounge & Restaurant. I'm thankful for all the opportunities that have been offered to me, and this is only the beginning!

What's your life mantra?

Live, laugh and smile all the time

Why did you start this community?

I had this in mind for a while. After meeting ladies from all around the world who were all achieving so much, I thought why not bring them together to build a community that welcomesnewcomersto Shanghai? It’s a group that shares advice, great deals, and general tips to improve our daily life in the city. The first group is full and the second one is growing fast. The pioneering ladies of Shanghai are both inside! Name of the group: Ladies Treats in SH!

What has been your biggest achievement?

Succeeded in being an expat and working lady in China, far from my family and my childhood friends at 23 years old, now for more than 2 years! 

How have you managed difficulties?

I'm optimistic. Whatever the obstacles and issues are I will face them head on. Sometimes it can be tough, you justhave to be aware you have only one life. If you are a trustful, honest and mindful person, you will always have people behind you, and that is the best gift life can offer!

Instagram:  josephinebsh23

WeChat personal: JosephineBFR 

SHANGHAI PRIDE

Charlene, Founder

Main Focus: To create awareness and promote acceptance for the LGBTQ community through various sports, cultural, and social activities to 20,000 followers

How did you end up where you are today? 

Came to Shanghai as an engineering manager in 2005, made friends quickly and created an LGBTQ networking group to welcome new-comers to Shanghai, organize activities, and support each other.  Then we created ShanghaiPRIDE as a volunteer-based festival to create awareness and promote acceptance for diversity.

At first it was just a big farewell party to a couple of friends leaving, but the following year we found people telling us that we created a movement to help others accept themselves and support each other.

What's your life mantra?

Do what you say and say what you do.

Why did you start this community?

It happened by chance.  When I first arrived, there were only very few of us, we just connected, welcomed new-comers, and now we are a community!

What has been your biggest achievement?  

Whenever someone comes up to me and thanks my team for the work we put in to Pride events to allow him/her to accept themselves and come out to their family or friends, that's the biggest satisfaction and that makes it the biggest achievement.

How have you managed difficulties? 

Talk to my biggest supporters... God and my wife, Darick

Website: www.shpride.com

Pride WeChat ID: shanghai-pride

EXPAT NEIGHBORS

Evrim Kanbur, founder

Main Focus: To improve neighborhood connections between expats

Members: 3,800 people, 200 active members in Hong Kong and Tokyo 

How did you end up where you are today?

Three years ago I decided to get out of my comfort zone, to learn from scratch and grow every day. China was the place to be. It is not common for a Turkish girl to do this. I knew that my heart was looking for something special but I didn’t know what it was. Then I found it, Expat Neighbors. 

What is your life mantra?

 “You are one decision away from the life you have always wanted. Just one decision” 

“Life is not about achievements, it is about contributions. When you dedicate yourself to an idea, you become more than a man, a woman.” 

Why did you start this community?

After one very very bad day I was sitting down and asked myself: “Why do I do it to myself, leaving all the comfort behind and now struggling?” As an expat you make some serious sacrifices… loneliness, health issues, housing problems, missing your home...But we don’t have regrets coming to Shanghai. Being an expat means new experiences, new challenges, new perspective and limitless opportunities.Still down, I was digging deep saying: “How can I increase the advantages and decrease the negative sides?”I looked around, there were so many foreigners passing by without saying “hi” to each other. I said “these are my people, we all go through similar problems, yet we feel alone. It shouldn’t be this way.” 

In Turkey neighborhood bonds are very strong. When you move into a new apartment, your neighbors welcome you. It is time to trigger a neighborhood movement here in Shanghai to create a better world.Here you go, I wanted my neighborhood connections here too. 

What has been your biggest achievement?

To bring about a neighborhood spirit by building meaningful relationships that enable us to match the needs with offers made by our expat neighbors, to meet 3,800 amazing, cool expat neighbors face to face, to talk to the world about Expat Neighbors at TEDxYouth@Suzhou. Mankind has been to the moon but failed to discover who is living next door. We made this happen.

How have you managed difficulties?

Just see the big picture and feel the excitement, you will overcome any difficulty one way or another. That helps me to turn obstacles into doors. Be aware of your feelings and control them will help you to handle the difficulties. Having a support circle that gives you a different perspective. 

Website: www.exptneighbors.com  & www.meetup.com/Expat-Neighbors/ and . Thank you

M2ADVENTURE

Mariane, Founder

Main Focus: Visit China via hiking groups and enjoy Shanghai with various sporting activities 

Member:  15,000+

How did you end up where you are today?

I guess mainly by following my instincts and passions. My choices were often considered "weird" by most people at first, but I never doubt nor regret any of them. 

What's your life mantra?

Keep your life adventurous by trying new things, if possible some crazy ones ;)

Why did you start this community?

I think the M2adventure community started itself. We were organizing outdoor activities for our group of friends and then the circles became bigger and bigger. I think many people really relate to traveling out off the beaten path and be adventurous.

What has been your biggest achievement?

It's hard to say, achievement is such a big word! But I think climbing Kilimanjaro is something I am proud of. When you hike to a 5900m summit, it's hard, you wonder why the hell you're there, but eventually you need to be strong and determined! 

How have you managed difficulties?

I try to keep positive as much as I can and remind myself that if there is a problem, there must be a solution! That's something I got from my grandpa. 

WeChat ID: mariane 14 

BEYOND THE BUND

Sarah, Founder

Main Focus: collective experience with the sole purpose of empowering people in shaping the future, trough events. 

Members: 100 elderly engaged in cultural activities  

2000 foreigners followers for the progressive ideas event platform

How did you end up where you are today?

The spirit of the unknown and wanting to take advantage of a raw environment with the landscape of true scale. To be able to change mindsets and implement true change.

What's your life mantra?

“Be a chimney sweeper if you like, just be the damn best chimney sweeper I've ever seen” - quoted by Grandpa

Why did you start this community?

The elderly are my favorite people in China, when I think about direct changes in a place like China I think about going towards it strategically, from a distance and with patience, events in many ways is not as intrusive and gives people a chance a time to take in, in real time

What has been your biggest achievement?

Winning the trust of the elderly by not speaking any Chinese :)

How have you managed difficulties?

By immersing myself in the local landscape and reminding myself why I am here, the truly local people remind me of the authentic exposure I am here for, and how much I want to make that change.

Wechat ID: sultanofoman

Beyond the Bund Wechat ID: BTBShanghai 

LQ SHANGHAI

Gabby, founder 

Main focus: to promote the visibility and inclusion of the LGBTIQ community, while providing a safe space to share, communicate, and participate in private and public, virtual and physical gatherings.

Members:1000+

How did you end up where you are today?

A combination of vision and perseverance - one part is having the idea and the next part is having what it takes to make that idea come to life. 

What's your life mantra?

I practice the art of living.

Why did you start this community?

Through the belief and want for such a community, ever since I knew I was a lesbian (12 or 13 years old) I always dreamed of being part of a large queer women's community. 

What has been your biggest achievement?

Moving to China without knowing anyone, and within five years developing a network of over 6,000 and starting four businesses. 

How have you managed difficulties?

My overall vision for helping people and making a difference in this world is what motivates me to stick to my plans and goals. Day to day there will always be struggles, but when I compare them to the overall goal of what I am working towards, they don't seem so big. As a leader being resourceful and learning to turn challenges into growth, is part of our jobs, so I welcome challenges. Also, I choose to focus on positivity, and what IS working, and commit myself to doing more of that. As a big believer in the law of attraction, we develop more of what we focus on, and what we focus on, grows. There is just so much to be grateful for.

Instagram: LesQueers

Wechat ID: gabbygabriel or gabbygabrieledu  

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