Three University Students Funded a Cafe via WeChat in Six Months

Most students dream of turning a side hustle into something real—something that pays bills, builds a team, and maybe even lands them a brick-and-mortar shop. But in an era where anyone can launch a free WeChat account, keeping it going, making money, and scaling it into the offline world? That’s the hard part. Here’s how three undergraduates in China did just that.

Within six months of launching their student services WeChat account, three undergrads at Zhejiang Normal University turned a profit—and then used those funds to partially crowdfund a café on campus.

How 'Pocket Shida' Began

In March last year, three male students at Zhejiang Normal University—Tang Zhonglin (International Trade, junior), along with seven friends—founded 'Pocket Shida', a campus lifestyle WeChat official account. At the time, the school already had several competing accounts. Their first move? Offering food delivery, which helped them gain an early user base. But as third-party delivery apps entered the market, that revenue stream dropped off quickly.

To regain traction, the team shifted focus. They consulted their college’s network marketing professor and settled on a dual approach: entertainment-based engagement (like offline events and roadshows) and essential student services. They rolled out features including grade and class schedule lookup, fruit and milk delivery, merchant membership card partnerships, driving school registration, and part-time job listings. The account now serves over 22,000 followers and handles everything from matchmaking for roommates to daily errands.

From Service Account to Sustainable Business

The original eight-member team gradually shrank due to graduation and academic pressures, leaving just Tang Zhonglin, junior Chen Yi (same major), and senior Zhou Henghui (Urban Planning, Geography and Environmental Sciences). Running the account became time-intensive—Tang said he often worked five to six hours a day during busy periods.

Despite the workload, the account began generating profit by September. A portion of the income covers living expenses for six project members and pays stipends to eight student contributors who create content. The majority of earnings fuel further development of 'Pocket Shida'.

From WeChat to a Real-World Café

With some capital in hand, the team spotted an opportunity. On January 1st of this year, a café on campus went up for sale. Using their savings and support from parents, the trio took it over. Just ten days later, they reopened the space—working as owners, baristas, and kitchen staff.

"Running a café is way more exhausting than we expected. Balancing studies, the account, and the business was unsustainable," Tang said. Realizing they needed help, they launched a crowdfunding campaign structured not just to raise funds but to recruit partners.

They divided the café into 60 shares at 3,000 RMB each. Within four days, they raised 180,000 RMB through their WeChat account. The 45 shareholders included current students, alumni, and even a local trading company owner. This model reduced their personal financial burden and gave them a physical space for community interaction—an essential element for building trust and engagement beyond the app.

The team calls this approach an “internet+” strategy: translating online success into real-world collaboration. The café serves as both a revenue stream and a hub for offline activities that strengthen their digital brand.

What’s Next?

Though graduation is approaching, none of the three plan to seek traditional jobs. They admit their current business model still lacks clarity and stability. Their immediate goals include refining services and opening O2O (online-to-offline) retail locations. They’re also in talks with universities in Jinhua to expand their service coverage. Long-term, they aim to bring similar models to community settings and tap into new profit areas there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the students make money with their WeChat account?

They offered essential student services such as grade and class schedule lookups, food and milk delivery, part-time job boards, driving school registration, and even roommate matchmaking. These features attracted over 22,000 followers and generated enough revenue to cover operational costs and provide part-time income for team members by September of their first year.

How many people originally founded Pocket Shida?

The account was founded by eight students, but over time the team shrank to just three: Tang Zhonglin, Chen Yi, and Zhou Henghui, due to graduation and scheduling conflicts.

How did they fund the café?

They used savings, parental support, and profits from their WeChat account to initially buy the café. Then they launched a crowdfunding campaign through the same account, dividing ownership into 60 shares at 3,000 RMB each, raising 180,000 RMB in four days from 45 shareholders including students and alumni.

How long did it take the WeChat account to become profitable?

The account began making a profit six months after its March launch, specifically by September of that year.

What does the team plan to do after graduation?

They do not plan to get regular jobs. Instead, they aim to refine their service offerings, open O2O physical locations, expand to other universities in Jinhua, and eventually explore community-based business models.

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