Today, I want to share a thought-provoking question that recently made me pause and reflect.

Last week, I caught up with an old friend who, like me, is a dedicated artisan. After some casual chatting, he suddenly asked me: “What do you think it takes to be number one in a field?” I smiled and looked at him, thinking to myself—wow, that’s a really good question!

To be honest, I had never truly thought about it. From the moment I founded Kamicarv Paper Carving Studio, I simply dived headfirst into my work. I gave it my all, focused on creating every day, and rarely looked back to analyze how I managed to get to where I am now.

Over the years, I’ve shared many things through our blog—our views on paper carving culture, creative techniques, and my personal philosophies on art. But this question—“What does it take to lead the industry?”—I’ve never really answered directly.

 

 

Being an Industry Leader Is Never Easy

I know how hard it is just to keep a business alive—let alone to lead an entire industry.

To do so requires the alignment of timing, environment, and people.

You need great products—sometimes even a breakthrough piece. You need visibility in the digital world. You need unique creations that stand out from the crowd. You need loyal customers who trust and support you. You need a team that works well together, a market rhythm that matches your pace, and strong branding strategies...

Simply “working hard” isn’t enough to carry you through all that.

 

 

So What Is the True Competitive Edge of a Studio?

After much thought and reflection, I’ve come to realize— the core of it all is the founder. Not slogans. Not dreams. But your attitude, your decisions, and your passion. Every choice you make—from creative direction to brand style, from how you handle details to how you communicate with clients— all of it reflects the founder’s inner compass.
 You are the brand. Your values become its tone. I’ve come to believe that creators who truly set themselves apart aren’t just lucky.
 They simply know exactly what they want to do.

Take me for example— even if one day Kamicarv stops making money, I’d still keep doing paper carving. Why? Because I didn’t get into this for money in the first place.

If you asked me to stop paper carving and pivot to painting, music, or other creative fields—I wouldn’t want to. Not because those aren’t amazing too, but because they’re not my greatest love.

I know what I love most. I know what brings me meaning and fulfillment. And today, I’m no longer chasing empty goals—I’m simply living in the joy of doing what I love.

So What Really Sets a Leader Apart? It’s not a technique—it’s a state of being. It’s about whether you’re truly living out your passion. It’s about growing a little each day—naturally, without even noticing. It’s about having that urge to perfect every little detail. It’s about whether you wake up each morning full of hope, ready to keep creating something better.

When you truly love something, you stop counting the hours. You don’t take shortcuts—you just want to do your absolute best. You don’t fear competition—because your focus isn’t on beating others. Your focus is on becoming the version of yourself you’ve always dreamed of.

 

 

In Closing:

So, back to that question: What does it take to be number one in your field?

At the end of the day, it’s not about talent or resources. It’s about whether you have the courage to walk the path you truly believe in.

Entrepreneurship isn’t a destination—it’s a journey of constant discovery, refinement, and love. And when you show up every day with more passion, more discipline, and more focus than most— when you take full responsibility for your craft and your brand— Being “number one” isn’t a goal. It becomes a natural result of how wholeheartedly you’ve walked your path.

Don’t you think?

 

( Translated from the original Chinese text )