Is it easy to start a new business?

Starting a business is definitely challenging, especially in competitive cities like Shanghai. The main hurdle is standing out in a crowded market - you need a unique product or service to attract customers. Take my uncle's restaurant I mentioned earlier - even though there were already many dining options, he succeeded by focusing on authentic Hangzhou cuisine that wasn't widely available. That being said, it's become somewhat easier with digital platforms now - you can promote your business online without huge upfront costs for physical locations. But you still need that original idea and persistence to make it work.