Education and Training
| MD, MS in OBGYN | Peking Union Medical College | 1978-1982 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | Peking Union Medical College Hospital | 1982-1985 |
Renjie's Story
I am often asked about the story of why I invent disruptive products and why started this business. The truth is that my entire life prepared me for the moment I invented NeuEve. Although both of my parents were medical doctors with a passion for science, my journey was anything but a given. All the challenges I’ve endured have shaped me and led me down this path.
I’m a Baby Boomer, which means I grew up in the 1960s. The 1960s for me was pretty wild, but probably not in the way you’re imagining. I grew up in 1960s China. Let me paint a picture for you through the eyes of 12-year-old me.
I remember the feel of the wooden shutters barricading the doors of my school. I remember the smell of smoke and the heat of flames rising from scattered piles of books in our apartment’s courtyard. English, physics, biology, math, romance books. All illegal by decree. When I close my eyes, I can still hear crescendos of howls and jeers on the street as the mob chanted abuse at caged professors and teachers on a forced parade.
For almost all of my fellow classmates, this was truly a dream come true. How many students throughout history have fantasized about revenge against their teachers? Can you imagine? School’s out, forever! No more homework, no more tests!
There are words my father said to me, that stuck with me forever. In my childishness, I wanted to follow the crowd and join my friends. I complained that it wasn’t fair that he didn’t let me.
Renjie, I don’t want you to do what everyone else does. You’re not everyone else.
— My Father
From that point forward, I would never again follow the crowd. I preferred to blaze my own trail, always seeking more science knowledge.
In my teenage rebelliousness, I pursued knowledge by reading from “illegal” books. While other girls would sneak around with boys, I would sneak around with books.
When universities nationwide finally reopened, I easily tested into medical school. I chose OB/GYN as my specialty because I truly enjoyed bringing happiness into people’s lives.
When China’s borders finally opened, I was among the first to make a new life for myself in the US. Life was hard. We were forced to hustle to survive. We lived in someone’s cold garage. I was trained as a medical doctor, but to make ends meet I also worked as a waitress, a seamstress, and a babysitter. With my hands busy, I was always dreaming of new inventions.
I have delivered tens of thousands of babies, but when I finally had my own my heart practically stopped with joy. When I became a mom to Kevin, I couldn’t have felt more proud. My only regret was that I only had one child. I couldn’t wait for him to spread his wings and devour knowledge in an environment with freedoms and opportunities that I never had.
I spent many years working in pharmaceutical research and development. I saw up close how pharmaceutical companies do business. On one hand, I saw how they create and innovate scientifically, and on the other hand I was frustrated by their blind spots. I was always improving processes and innovating new approaches, which really rubbed leadership the wrong way. They weren't open to new ideas and improvements, unless your name had the letters “MBA” after it.
Since leaving the corporate world to pursue my own business adventures, I haven’t looked back. I have truly found my calling. I am building NeuEve to challenge the status quo of how health product businesses are run.
Through NeuEve I can help people and make a real difference in their lives. The thank-you letters I get from customers is the reason why I wake up in the morning. My heart beams with pride when they explain how my products made them confident, and helped them save their relationships.