The Story of the Pass: Nancy has been doing really well over the last twenty years at the Canton Fair!
When Nancy Du first walked into the Canton Fair in 1999, she had no idea that the simple badge hanging around her neck would become the start of something really special. The badge was thin and made of paper. It was printed with just her name, but it opened the door to a world that would later define her career, her vision, and the heart of the Runtong & Wayeah Team..
1999: The First Step of Courage
The hall was buzzing with excitement, and the air felt electric with curiosity. Nancy had only a few samples and a stack of brochures she had printed herself, but she was happy to share these with customers. She wasn't sure what to expect, or if anyone would stop by. But someone did! Her first buyer, a lovely small importer from Africa, spent nearly half an hour chatting with her about materials and packaging. The deal may have been small, but to Nancy, it felt like a huge achievement.
2000: The Canton Fair was just one phase
Back then, the Canton Fair was a one-off per year, and everything was done by hand. The booths were simple, the order forms were handwritten, and the buyers came with thick catalog books. Nancy fondly remembers waiting in line for hours to register, and how she carried boxes of product samples by hand. "Every step was a struggle," she says, "but every struggle made me more certain — this was where I belonged."
2004: Finding The Direction — Shoe Care
The year 2004 was a big one for us. Nancy discovered the niche of shoe care — a small but growing demand among global buyers. You know, I really feel like these products are different from fashion items. They're all about the details and the quality, and that's so important. She realised that this was something she could do well. That year, she returned home and began developing her first line of shoe polish and insoles.
2002: Explore Products that Suit customers’ development needs
Those were the years of searching — Nancy tried all kinds of products, from daily goods to travel accessories, unsure which direction to take. “I didn’t yet have a product that truly represented me,” she admits. “But I had a belief — if I kept showing up, I would find it.”
2006: Moving from a Table to a Booth
By 2006, Nancy had her own booth, which was so exciting! The products looked so much more professional, and the packaging was so much cleaner. Luckily, people remembered her face – "The lady with the shoe polish from Yangzhou." The Canton Fair has grown and grown, just like China's growing export power! For Nancy, it was a really exciting and humbling experience – she felt like she was part of something so much bigger than herself.
2013: The Power of Trust
Ten years had passed. Some of her earliest buyers still visited her booth, greeting her like an old friend, which was really lovely. They had grown together – their businesses, their families, their dreams. "We didn't just trade goods," Nancy says. "We were all in this together, you know, we had to trust each other."
2015: The Smile During the Booth
By this point, the booth had been transformed — it now featured lightboxes and samples that had been carefully arranged, with a small team smiling beside her. Nancy was no longer alone. She had established a professional network within the fair. "Every badge is not a trophy," she says. It represents a significant memory of who we were during that period."
2023: Reunion and Resilience
Following the pandemic, the 2023 Canton Fair resembled a reunion. Nancy's booth attracted partners she had not seen in years. The discussions focused on resilience, supply chains, and the importance of maintaining optimism in trade. "That year, more than business, it was about connection," she says.
From One Person to a Team, From Clients to Partners
When Nancy talks about Runtong's journey, she never starts with numbers or orders.
She begins with people – faces she encountered at the Canton Fair, names inscribed on yellowing business cards, and numerous handshakes that commenced not with contracts, but with trust.
Following Nancy's strategic decision in 2004 to focus on shoe care and insole products, the small booth she previously occupied began to attract returning customers. Some of these individuals were regular customers from Europe who made it a point to visit each year, not only to place orders but also to discuss market trends, family updates, and new store openings.
"They didn't just see me as a supplier," Nancy says softly. "They treated me as a partner with whom they had a long-standing professional relationship."
Runtong's business expanded in a similar manner — in a discreet, consistent, and compassionate way. Nancy learned that in trade, trust is the real currency. A good product is the first step, but it is also important to emphasise the importance of honesty and reliability in order to maintain a positive relationship with customers.
There have been periods when shipping was less efficient, or when exchange rates have presented challenges.
Nancy would work late at night responding to client queries, providing comprehensive explanations, and ensuring that each client felt understood and appreciated. "Sometimes, the objective was not to solve a problem immediately," she recalls. The objective was to communicate to the other person that they had support and that they were not alone.
During that period, there was a high volume of emails that commenced with the following words:
"Dear Nancy, thank you for understanding..."
"Don't worry, we'll just wait for your next shipment."
The words were simple, but to Nancy, they carried warmth.
As the company matured, the Runtong & Wayeah Team began to form — not as a corporate structure, but as a circle of people connected by the same belief: doing business with sincerity brings lasting partnerships.
Many of their clients have been working with them for over a decade. Some of these individuals even visited the factory in Yangzhou, not for inspection, but for the purpose of fostering friendship. They brought gifts from their respective countries, took photos with the team, shared meals and experienced moments of camaraderie.
One of Nancy's long-standing South American clients once commented that visiting her booth was like coming home.
For Nancy, this was the highest form of recognition she could have received.
As time passed, the company did not pursue rapid expansion or an extensive product line. Instead, it focused on being a reliable partner — responding quickly, customising flexibly, and keeping promises.
Each email reply, each sample sent, and each delayed shipment was explained with patience, contributing to the gradual building of Runtong's reputation overseas.
It should be recognised that every container shipped represented more than just a business transaction; it also represented a relationship.
Each box carried the weight of conversations, trust, and care — a connection formed over years of consistency.
Today, when new clients visit Runtong's booth and inquire about the unique qualities that set our company apart, we are ready to respond. Nancy smiles and says, "Perhaps it is the fact that we remember people, not just prices, that is the issue."
Runtong & Wayeah Team's growth is driven not by expansion, but by a dedication to excellence and a strong sense of purpose.
The 138th Canton Fair: A New Chapter of Encounters
As the 138th Canton Fair opens, the Runtong & Wayeah Team is once again present at the well-known yet constantly evolving hall. The new booth is a reflection of Nancy's expertise, showcasing a calm colour palette, an open layout, and products that speak for themselves.
This year, the team is proud to present a new generation of comfort insoles and neutral packaging concepts, designed for international clients seeking OEM/ODM collaboration. "Our objective is to create an environment that evokes the sense of a narrative unfolding," Nancy explains. "Because every visitor becomes part of our next chapter."
Epilogue: From One Person to a Team, From a Pass to a Purpose
Runtong has participated in numerous trade fairs over the past twenty years, during which time it has established many business connections. From the paper badge of 1999 to the smart pass of 2025, Nancy has always been focused on the future.
Runtong & Wayeah Team is a company that is known for its commitment to craftsmanship, sincerity and partnership. We warmly welcome all friends, both old and new, to meet us again at Booth 14.4 I12 and 5.2 F12, and to continue walking this long, beautiful road together.
Post time: Oct-23-2025
