What Mike Michelini is up to Now – Sept 21 – 27, 2025
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Hey everyone, Mike here with another weekly update. This past week wrapped up my time back in the “old stomping grounds” of Shenzhen, China—a place that’s been like a second home for over a decade. After hyper-networking and delivering a talk at the Shenzhen SEO Conference this past Saturday (September 20), it’s been a whirlwind of connections, reflections, and forward momentum. But man, the vibes here definitely feel different this time around. Let’s dive in.
Katrina:
Here are the winners for this week:
anneparalleled and lonelyllama
Shenzhen SEO Conference: Sharing Insights in a Shifting Landscape
I took the stage at the Shenzhen SEO Conference (held September 18-21 at The Ritz-Carlton Shenzhen), speaking on navigating China’s digital ecosystem—from Baidu and WeChat optimizations to global SEO trends. It was electric connecting with 40+ experts like Aleyda Solis, Gary Illyes, and other sharp minds pushing the boundaries of search in this tech mecca. We dove into workshops, keynotes, and late-night chats that sparked real ideas for cross-border strategies.
That said, the overall energy in Shenzhen this trip? It’s palpably slower. The once-frenetic pace of factories humming and deals closing at warp speed feels muted—conversations turned to economic headwinds more than explosive growth. China’s market is maturing, and it’s a reminder that even innovation hubs like this are feeling the global squeeze. It’s not doom and gloom, but definitely a pivot point for anyone sourcing or selling here.
Partner Check-Ins and Building the Ecosystem
Beyond the conference, I made time for key partners and friends fueling my ventures:
- Easy China Warehouse: Spent a full day with Justin (CEO and co-founder) brainstorming logistics tweaks. Their seamless fulfillment is a game-changer for Amazon sellers dipping into China—efficiency like that keeps the supply chain humming even in tougher times.
- NowShenzhen: Roamed the city with David, hitting up restaurants and spots we’re spotlighting on the platform. It’s all about curating authentic experiences for expats and travelers—think hidden gem eats that blend local flavor with global appeal.
- GFA High Tea Meetup: Our round-table session had a solid turnout, and the Chinese attendees raved about the format. We leveraged one of my vibe-coded software tools for real-time translation, making multilingual convos flow effortlessly. No more awkward pauses—events like this are proving that hybrid tech can bridge cultures in ways we haven’t seen before. I’m already scheming experiments for the upcoming Cross Border Summit to amp this up.
And shoutout to my rockstar team at Shadstone—they’re diving deep into vibe coding to build out a software inventory management tool. This bad boy’s gonna map the status and architecture of all our tools, giving me a clear dashboard to orchestrate the chaos. It’s like having a digital co-pilot for scaling these projects without losing the human touch.
Cross Border Summit: Ignition Awaits
The Cross Border Summit 2025 – IGNITION is barreling toward us—November 3-5 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with pre/post activities through the 10th. With just over a month out, the lineup is stacked: 7- and 8-figure sellers, platform insiders, and operators dropping playbooks on scaling globally. This isn’t just another event—it’s a community reset for ecommerce pros navigating borders, tariffs, and tech shifts.
I’m cranking up my focus here through launch. Expect intense prep: speaker syncs, workshop polishes, and that signature hyper-networking vibe. Post-summit, it’ll be a perfect window to level up the whole crew—stronger ties, bolder ideas, and real momentum for the next chapter.
Family First: The Real ROI
Being on the road these past 10 days has been non-stop value, but damn—it’s crystallized what’s truly non-negotiable. I miss my crew back home: my partner in crime and our two little dynamos, Miles and Maggie. At 2 and 4, they’re at that age where every hug and bedtime story rewires your priorities. The “main investment” right now? Pouring into them. Wrapping China this week means heading straight back to family mode—playdates, park runs, and just being present. Business will always be there; these moments won’t.
A Glimpse at the Future: Architecting Community
Deep in the dev trenches lately, I’ve been soul-searching my role. Coder? Nah, not full-time. The fit feels more like architect-designer: sketching the big-picture systems that connect people, tools, and opportunities. Holding back the full reveal (patience, folks—save some hype for the Summit), but here’s the teaser: in a world fracturing faster than we can scroll, community isn’t optional. It’s the glue. We’re building tools and spaces that amplify real connections—beyond algorithms, into something enduring.
Excited for what’s next. If you’re in ecommerce, events, or just chasing that global hustle, hit reply or slide into the comments—what’s got you buzzing this week? Let’s link up.
Tags: Shenzhen, SEO Conference, Cross Border Summit, Family, Vibe Coding, Ecommerce
Catch the video version here – dropping soon with raw clips from the week.
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