How impressive is the Pang Donglai model? After copying it, the man no longer checks in, shares profits, and has paid off 1.05 million in debt!

Starting a business is not easy. Some people, after a setback, give up entirely, while others find a way out of despair. Recently, the entrepreneurial story of Mr. Yu in Zhengzhou, Henan, has gone viral online.

He used to be a truck driver earning about 5,000 yuan a month. Unwilling to spend his life working for others, he gathered courage and saved money to start a logistics business. But with no experience and poor management skills, his venture quickly failed. Not only did he earn nothing, but he also accumulated a huge debt of 1.05 million yuan.

During that time, Mr. Yu was overwhelmed. Collection calls came from morning to night, and relatives and friends avoided him. The immense pressure made it hard to breathe. He even felt so hopeless twice that he stood on the edge of a building, contemplating ending his life.

Just when he was at his lowest point, feeling anxious and lost, he happened to walk into a Pang Dong Lai store. He just wanted to find a place to calm his mind, but unexpectedly, the atmosphere in the store deeply moved him.

Unlike the mechanical service at other places, the staff at Pang Dong Lai wore genuine smiles and treated customers with patience. Even small issues, they handled with care. Mr. Yu wondered why the employees here seemed so motivated.

Later, he learned that the core reason for Pang Dong Lai’s cohesive team was simple—genuine care for employees. Founder Yu Dong Lai insisted on sharing the company’s profits with staff and respecting their autonomy, avoiding rigid management routines. This made employees feel truly part of the company, not just workers.

This management philosophy was like a light illuminating Mr. Yu’s confusion. With a desperate hope, he decided to adopt Pang Dong Lai’s model entirely for his small logistics company.

He launched two bold initiatives, which immediately drew skepticism from those around him. First, he promised to distribute 50% of the company’s monthly profits directly to employees—no empty promises, no tricks. As long as the company was profitable, everyone would see real benefits, transforming employees from “workers” into “partners in profit.”

Second, he completely eliminated attendance checks—no clock-ins, no deductions. As long as employees completed their tasks with quality and efficiency, they could choose when and where to work, even if they rarely showed up in the office.

People around him thought he was crazy, believing this “laissez-faire” approach would lead to the company’s collapse soon. Even Mr. Yu himself was uncertain at first, worried that employees might slack off. But the reality proved all skeptics wrong.

Once employees felt the boss’s sincerity and trust, and knew their efforts would be rewarded fairly, their sense of responsibility skyrocketed. No more reminders were needed; they took ownership of the company’s affairs, actively seeking ways to improve efficiency, serve customers, and even suggest ideas for the business.

One salesperson, who worked less than 60 days a year, still managed to earn over 10,000 yuan monthly through his effort and responsibility. This kind of motivation was beyond what Mr. Yu had ever imagined.

Without complex business skills or large capital, Mr. Yu relied solely on the principle of “genuinely caring for employees” to revive his nearly bankrupt company. Employees worked diligently, customers trusted and cooperated with them, the company’s reputation improved, orders increased, and profits grew year after year.

In just a few years, Mr. Yu paid off the massive debt of 1.05 million yuan. Not only did he free himself from debt worries, but he also accumulated significant wealth. The once-bankrupt small logistics company gradually stabilized and developed steadily.

Having escaped his difficulties, Mr. Yu was filled with gratitude. He wanted to thank Pang Dong Lai in person, for their management philosophy that saved him and his company. Later, he contacted Pang Dong Lai’s founder, Yu Dong Lai, through a friend, and sincerely shared his experience—telling how he turned his situation around from despair, full of admiration and gratitude.

To his surprise, just before the 2026 Spring Festival, he received a big surprise—four large boxes of New Year goods from Pang Dong Lai. The gift boxes had no fancy packaging, only practical specialty products and daily necessities, each item carrying Pang Dong Lai’s heartfelt recognition.

Mr. Yu was deeply touched when he received the gifts. He said that Pang Dong Lai not only gave him a direction for his business but also restored his confidence in facing life. This sudden warmth strengthened his belief that choosing to emulate Pang Dong Lai was the right decision.

After sharing this story online, it quickly sparked widespread discussion among netizens. Many commented, saying “Kindness is mutual; sincerely caring for employees will earn their genuine loyalty,” others said “Mr. Yu’s turnaround was never accidental but a result of sincerity,” and some marveled at “the broad vision of Pang Dong Lai.”

In fact, many people tried to learn from Pang Dong Lai, but most only copied the surface—abandoning attendance checks and profit-sharing—while neglecting the core sincerity of treating employees like family. As a result, their efforts often failed to replicate Pang Dong Lai’s success.

Mr. Yu’s story proves that Pang Dong Lai’s model is indeed replicable. The most valuable aspect isn’t specific policies or details, but the original intention of respecting and caring for employees.

Ultimately, the essence of business is never just about making money, but about exchanging trust and hearts. When bosses sincerely treat employees well and share profits, employees will respond with doubled effort, creating a virtuous cycle of “employee happiness, customer satisfaction, and business profitability.”

Mr. Yu’s story is not only an inspiring tale of entrepreneurial resilience but also a vivid lesson for countless entrepreneurs: don’t rush for quick success. Abandon the short-sighted pursuit of instant gains, stay true to sincerity and altruism, treat everyone who walks alongside you with kindness, and life will reward you gently. You will find your own path to success.

(Writer: Human Observer)