Can watching an American TV show overnight change your life? For renowned businesswoman Madison Zhao, it did precisely that. From that single show, she suddenly envisioned a completely different future —one of her own—a new life.
Dress: Charbel Karam
Madison Zhao left China and moved to the United States, a country where ambition is highly valued and where everyone has the opportunity to pursue success. With relentless hard work and bold dreams, Madison became one of the most prominent self-made entrepreneurs of her time. We met her in Cannes, where she made a stunning impression on the red carpet and shared the story of her remarkable journey: from inspiration to achievement, from dream to reality. She spoke of leadership with grace, determination, and elegance, always standing in high heels.
-You grew up in a small city in China, but your vision for life was always huge. How did you decide to move to the U.S. alone at just 16 years old?
I grew up in the smallest city in China, where business opportunities were scarce, and one became a millionaire only through inherited wealth. The only definition of success I was taught was stability—work hard in school, get a job at a government office or bank, and earn $2,000 a month for the rest of your life. My dad was a bus driver, and my mom worked in an office. No one around me ever talked about ambition or building a business. Even though I was taught that stability was the goal, my upbringing was anything but stable. At 14, everything changed. I accidentally stumbled upon an American TV show. I saw a completely different world—one where people were rewarded for ambition and where success could be self-made. I started learning English eight to ten hours a day. My turning point came when I saw my mom come home crying after being mistreated at work. I couldn’t stand seeing her like that, and I promised myself I’d do whatever it took to change her life. I learned that the government offered full scholarships to the top 20 students in our city who were accepted into the top 20 U.S. universities. So, I made that my goal. Despite how much I hated school, I excelled at doing what I hated. At the same time, I took tutoring jobs to save money in case I didn’t get the scholarship. I finished high school, got into UC Berkeley at the age of 16, and was awarded a full scholarship. So, at 16, I left my city and boarded a plane to America with nothing but a scholarship and a dream.
–From financial struggle to financial freedom, surely there were moments when you felt scared, sad, or disappointed, especially being alone in a foreign country, still a kid with little experience. How did you handle those moments and stay strong?
There were so many moments when I felt scared, overwhelmed, and completely defeated—mainly because of how I was treated when I first arrived. My four years of college were the worst experience of my life. There were nights I cried alone, wondering if I had made a huge mistake coming here. I had no one to call, no safety net, and no emotional support. But I couldn’t afford to break down. I had already burned the bridge behind me. What kept me going was a straightforward thought: I have to make this worth it. If I gave up, then everyone who told me I couldn’t do it would be right. But if I made it, I could rewrite the story—not just for myself, but for people like me: immigrants, underdogs, and girls from small towns with big dreams. I had already come this far, and I needed to keep going. And during my lowest moments, when I had nothing but time, I started exploring business opportunities. I began selling products on Amazon—and to my surprise, I started making money. I handled the pain by turning it into purpose. I didn’t have friends, connections, or support—but I had time. And I used that time to build. To try. To fail. And to keep going. I overcame it by turning my pain into purpose—a purpose to create something meaningful and make a significant impact on the world.
Total look: Lena Erziak
-You are now the founder and CEO of multiple companies. Tell us more about your companies and what makes them so popular globally.
I built each of my companies around one core belief: solve real problems better than anyone else in the industry. If I do it, I have to be the best—or I don’t do it at all. My first company began with education consulting. I helped students and families navigate a smooth and honest transition to U.S. colleges. While most agencies overcharge and underdeliver, I focused on building trust, delivering results, and achieving real impact. Next, I launched my edtech company, EDUX TECH. We have built data-driven tools that help high school students learn more effectively—through innovative homework systems, classroom engagement platforms, and personalised academic feedback. Then came Liuxuewd. In China, the study-abroad industry has long been plagued by fraud and a lack of transparency. I built an AI-powered platform that not only answers students’ questions but also verifies service providers and holds payments in escrow until the job is completed correctly. And finally, I created Madison Profit Academy. It’s a platform where I share everything I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey—so others don’t have to make the same mistakes I did. I teach fundamental strategies to build profitable, high-integrity businesses—and I mainly focus on helping women fast-track their success, build confidence, and take up space in industries that weren’t built for us. People trust my companies because they are built with heart and soul—not just for profit—and real results back them. I don’t build for hype—I build to solve pain points. And that’s why we’re scaling globally. Real solutions don’t need to beg for attention. They grow because they work.
Did you have a female role model who inspired you when you were starting out?
When I was 16, I remember reading about Zhang Yin, the founder of Nine Dragons Paper. She was everywhere in the Chinese news at the time—not just as a successful entrepreneur but as the wealthiest self-made woman in the world. She didn’t come from wealth or connections—she built her business from scratch, literally collecting waste paper and turning it into a billion-dollar empire. She wasn’t glamorous or soft-spoken—she was bold, tough, and unapologetically business-minded in a way that was almost unheard of for women in China at the time. Zhang Yin showed me what was possible. She proved that you didn’t need to be born into power to rise to the top—you could build it yourself, and she made me believe that maybe I could do something big too.
Total look: Lena Erziak
-What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is freedom. It’s not just about clothes—it’s about identity, intention, and energy. It’s how I show up in the world before I ever say a word. It’s a way to tell people, “I know who I am, I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to take up space.“ Fashion is how I reclaim power in rooms where people might underestimate me. It’s how I challenge the idea that you have to look a certain way to be taken seriously—especially as a woman, as an immigrant, and as a young entrepreneur. I can wear a full couture gown to a board meeting or show up in sneakers and no makeup—and still own the room. Why? Because I’ve built something real. Fashion adds the punctuation. Most of all, fashion is fun. It’s creative. It’s personal. It’s the reminder that we get to write our own rules—and we don’t have to dress down or disappear to win. We can lead, build, and disrupt—in heels, hoodies, or anything we damn well please.
-You’ve built tech companies in couture, walked into boardrooms in Balenciaga, and done so much more. What moment has impressed you the most?
Honestly, It’s not the red carpets or the boardrooms that impress me the most—it’s the quiet moments where I realise I’ve become the person my younger self used to pray for. Yes, I’ve built tech companies. Yes, I’ve walked into investor meetings wearing Balenciaga head-to-toe while raising millions. But the moment that hit me the hardest was when I walked into a shelter and rescued the animals that would’ve been euthanised if I hadn’t shown up. That’s when I realised this is what wealth means to me: the power to step in, to protect, to save. That was the moment I felt proudest—not because it was public or flashy, but because it meant I had kept a promise to myself. The moments that matter most aren’t the glamorous ones— they’re the ones that remind me why I do what I do and who I’m doing it for.
-What’s the most important trend you’ve started?
One of the most important trends I’ve started isn’t tied to a specific piece of clothing—it’s about identity. I’ve helped normalise the idea that a CEO can be bold, stylish, feminine, and even a little ridiculous—all at the same time. You don’t need to tone yourself down, wear a grey suit, or become someone else to be taken seriously in business. I’ve shown up to investor meetings in sweatpants, closed deals in flip-flops, and built tech companies without ever hiding my personality or aesthetic. That’s the trend: redefining what power looks like. Especially for women. Especially for Gen Z. I’ve had employees tell me, “You made me believe I could be successful and still be myself.” And that’s the trend I’m most proud of starting.
Dress: Ivette Bianchi; Clutch camera: Lena Erziak
-As a humanitarian, you use your success to give back to those who can’t speak for themselves. We know you are humble about your actions, but could you share a bit with us?
Of course. It’s not something I often discuss, but a big part of my heart has always been devoted to animals. Growing up in China, I witnessed heartbreaking cruelty —stray animals being euthanized, tortured, or killed for entertainment and profit. I felt powerless as a child, but I promised myself that one day when I grew up, I would do something about it. Today, I’ve founded multiple animal shelters across the country. I’ve helped rescue dogs from slaughterhouses, funded medical care for abandoned animals, and supported sanctuaries that give them a second chance at life. But my love for animals goes beyond pets—I care deeply about all creatures, especially those on the brink of extinction. Every year, I support global conservation efforts for endangered species, including one of my favourites: polar bears. Their survival reflects the health of our planet, and I believe protecting them is a responsibility we all share. To me, this isn’t charity—it’s responsibility. When you’ve experienced suffering yourself, you develop a deep instinct to prevent it in others. And that compassion doesn’t stop with people—it extends to every living being.
-What is your greater purpose in life?
My greater purpose is to use everything I’ve built—my voice, my platform, and my success—to protect and uplift those who can’t speak for themselves. Whether it’s young women who feel like they don’t belong in boardrooms or animals suffering in silence, I want to be their voice when the world doesn’t listen. I want to be a role model for women everywhere—to inspire, empower, and show them what a world built for women could truly look like. To remind them that you can be powerful, feminine, bold, and entirely yourself— unapologetically—and nothing bad will happen.
-What is a quote that drives you toward life and success?
There’s no secret to success—” copy what works, and then make it better.“ That quote reminds me that you don’t need to be born with exceptional talent or connections to make it. You just need courage, obsession, and relentless execution. Observe, adapt, and outwork everyone in the room. That’s how I built everything I have
Credits:
Photography: Greg Alexander
Production: Mephistopheles Productions
Art director: & Styling Sébastien Vienne
Assistant: Emmeline Yalaz-Lazizi
Interview: Ada Iliopoulou