Connecting the dots
Pan Zishi, in his late 30s, has never had a formal education in music or crafts. Self-taught, he founded Sine, a brand promoting steel tumbling drums (also known as hank drums), seven years ago. This business may seem like a sudden change of direction in Pan’s life, but it actually proves the truth of Steve Jobs’ words “connecting the dots” – all the dots in Pan’s life up to that point have now connected and been given a clear meaning.
From the very beginning of his career, Pang was averse to following a well-trodden career path. This unconventional attitude dates back to his college days, where, as he says, his academic training in philosophy is responsible for his tendency to “challenge, question, and ponder.” Compared to most others desperate to climb the social ladder, Pang wants to live an unpretentious life where he can be himself. But in his search for a job that suits his personality and can help him make a living, he faced one setback after another.
Always passionate about creative endeavors, Pang is a man of many talents. In high school, he played drums and formed an indie band with his friends. However, playing one instrument was not enough to satisfy his creative desire, so he diversified into digital music and songwriting. In college, he studied philosophy and also took courses in computer animation. His first job after graduation was in 3D animation.
However, he found it difficult to settle into a stable but unadventurous professional life. During the 2007-2008 financial crisis, capitalism came under heavy criticism around the world. After struggling to come to terms with his way of life for a long time, Pang decided to quit his job and devote himself to social activism. He then turned his back on civilized society, returned to nature, and lived a primitive, hippie-like life. At the same time, he abandoned his digital creative tools and began to rediscover the long-forgotten joy of handicrafts. But as fate would have it, his girlfriend fell pregnant. With the birth of their son, Pang once again had to contend with the harsh economic realities of everyday life.
“I didn’t know back then that denying or rejecting one’s past was actually such a dangerous thing,” says Pang with a faint smile. He now has a more objective view of the past, sitting in his spacious workroom, surrounded by ongoing projects and other experimental works.
His current work relies on craftsmanship and is highly dependent on his creativity, centered around the music he has always loved. As a sole proprietor managing his own brand, he also finds the opportunity to take advantage of the multimedia tools he is already familiar with. In this way, the business integrates the skills and expertise that Pang has acquired at different stages of his life. Finally, it is a perfect fit for his inclinations; it turns out that his past experiences were not in vain.
Pan Zisi perfected his product line through experimentation with waste gas cylinders and successfully built his brand.
