Tao Huabi: Crispy chilli godmother

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Tao Huabi grew up in childhood poverty in the province of Guizhou in southwestern China, but would one day become a household name in her home country. Her Lao Gan Ma brand, famous for its crispy chilli oil, is a staple in China and fast becoming one globally. BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng track the remarkable story of how an illiterate widow fought to survive single motherhood and become one of the most iconic figures of female entrepreneurship in China today. Hear how Tao Huabi’s own recipe became a crowd favourite at her humble food stall and turned into a billion-dollar business. What does it look like to grow a business without listing, borrowing or…