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Transcript: Allen Zhao (Sherman Taylor) and Gary Sheng - China Education Licensing and Role Exploration

Date: October 23, 2025 Participants: Allen Zhao (Sherman Taylor), Gary Sheng Context: Update call on China education project progress, licensing changes, and exploring Gary's potential involvement

Executive Summary​

Allen Zhao provides critical updates on the China education project, including a major shift from local to national licensing requirements and a strategic government partnership where they manage the license while Allen controls finances. With one major investor secured and another expected soon, the project is developing three school models across different cities. Allen proposes multiple roles for Gary, particularly as a brand ambassador who wouldn't need to relocate to China full-time but could contribute during recruitment season (January-March). The conversation also touches on religious fellowship approaches and Allen's vision for innovating Chinese education.

Opening - Travel and Language Context​

Allen on Recent Travel:

"Yeah, they just touched back down in China"

Language Abilities:

"My Mandarin is so much worse than it used to be so that's one thing"

Gary offers support as someone interested in education, noting he can help "sanity check" ideas.

Critical Licensing Update​

National License Requirement Change​

Major Regulatory Shift:

"The government here changed it used to be a local license like Shanghai school Shanghai. Now you have to get the national license"

Government Partnership Structure​

License Management Agreement:

"They what agreement verbal agreement we'll put it in writing next week is They will manage the license basically they'll own the license, but we control the finance. Which is normal, okay"

This represents a significant structural change from their original plans, with the government taking ownership of the license while Allen's team maintains financial control.

Investor and Funding Update​

Current Status:

"We already have one big investor. We're probably gonna pick up the second investor next week"

This shows continued momentum despite the licensing changes.

School Development Options​

Three Different Models​

Allen outlines three distinct opportunities:

1. Suzhou University - ISD Model:

"There's something called an ISD it's a school within a school. And Suzhou University wants us to do an ISD"

2. Pure International School:

"Yesterday's meeting wants us to do a pure international school and they're gonna get our licenses for us"

3. Hoosier - Undecided Format:

"Another city called Hoosier they haven't decided what they want yet"

Language of Instruction​

All-English Model:

"So but it's all English. This all staff are English speakers"

When Gary asks about Mandarin requirements:

"Your level of Mandarin or Cantonese? It doesn't matter"

Proposed Roles for Gary​

Administrator Position​

Program Knowledge Leverage:

"If you want to come in as an administrator here that would be great. You know the program once we get it finalized. You'll know the program. Come over as an administrator"

Brand Ambassador Role​

Allen's Preference Against Being the Face:

"I could see you basically as a brand ambassador basically. If we're moving to different cities you're just the face of the company. I don't want to be the face. I don't want to be the face of the company. That's just my personality"

Limited Time Commitment Option​

Recruitment Season Focus:

"I think you just need to be here during recruitment season January February March. Three months a year"

This addresses Gary's concern about full-time relocation.

Student Interest Validation​

8th Grader's Enthusiasm​

Motivating Feedback:

"The teachers are not engaged this is an 8th grader like, okay. And I keep hearing dad talk about this program. You're creating. I want to attend your school"

Personal Impact:

"And then she as an 8th grader she was so excited and so that gave me energy today. This 13 year old, here's what my nephew and I talked about and she got excited about it"

Educational Innovation Vision​

China-First Strategy​

Innovation Approach:

"We are not we are innovating Chinese education maybe we can take it back to the US, but we're gonna start in China"

This represents a reversal of typical education export patterns, starting innovation in China rather than importing Western models.

Shanghai American School Model​

Emulation Target:

"Shanghai American School is what the government wants us to emulate and when you see this campus, it's better than most American universities"

Religious Fellowship Discussion​

Church Attendance​

Gary's Background:

"I went to a church like a small one on Sunday... I'm non-denominational but I'm pretty like close to evangelical. I only have much of a label, but I respect Catholics and Orthodox, but I am more of a Protestant vibe"

Fellowship Philosophy Differences​

Allen's Inclusive Approach:

"I will let non-Christians into my Christian group to help them convert. This other guy refuses to let non-Christians into the group"

Open Door Philosophy:

"My goal is that everybody needs to... I think churches should have open doors. Let's put it that way"

Leadership Model​

Rotating Leadership Structure:

"In my group of Fellowship, I don't say there's a single leader because every week one person chooses a book and leads the worship the fellowship"

Fellowship Conflict​

Scheduling Competition:

"What really offset me though? Because I have my fellowship I call it by little shit. Nine o'clock on Wednesdays. He then set up his Bible study Wednesdays at nine o'clock"

Gary responds: "Oh, that's really messed up"

Gary's Position and Interest​

Openness to Exploration​

Support Without Full Relocation:

"I think it's probably unlikely that I could live full-time in China, but again I do want to support you. I think that you're a very special entrepreneur"

Desire for Immersion​

Understanding the Work:

"I would love to be immersed in the work that you've done so I can get us to better feel for it and ideally there's a way for me to plug in"

School Visit Interest​

Existing School Tour:

"I'm sure that there is schools that you have in Shanghai, right that you can already tour, right?"

Allen confirms: "The one that Suzhou wants to emulate"

Next Steps and Closing​

Post-Financing Meeting​

Gary's Proposal:

"After you close your financing figure out yeah, let's... bring me out. Let's figure out how to plug me in. Yes through calls, but also just I would love to be immersed"

Allen's Reflection Advice​

Taking Time to Consider:

"But just reflect. I don't want to tell you just reflect and we'll try to set up a meeting"

Future Communication​

Ongoing Relationship:

"Keep me in the loop and I am more than happy to take a trip to represent you"

Religious Closing​

Both close with:

"And as always Godspeed"

Key Themes and Takeaways​

  1. Regulatory Adaptation: The shift from local to national licensing shows the project's ability to adapt to changing Chinese regulations

  2. Government Partnership: The structure where government owns the license but Allen controls finances represents a sophisticated compromise

  3. Multiple Opportunities: Three different school models provide flexibility and risk mitigation

  4. Language Flexibility: All-English instruction removes language barriers for international staff

  5. Flexible Involvement: Allen's proposal for Gary to be involved without full-time relocation shows pragmatic approach to talent acquisition

  6. Student Demand: The genuine excitement from an 8th grader validates the educational approach

  7. Innovation Direction: The vision to innovate in China first, then potentially export to the US, represents a paradigm shift

  8. Religious Integration: Both share Christian faith but with different fellowship approaches, showing alignment on values with flexibility on methods

  9. Brand Ambassador Need: Allen's self-awareness about not wanting to be the face of the company creates a specific opportunity for Gary

  10. Recruitment Season Focus: The January-March timeframe provides a concrete, limited commitment option for involvement

Strategic Implications​

  • The project has successfully navigated major regulatory changes
  • Investor interest remains strong despite licensing shifts
  • Multiple city interests provide growth opportunities
  • Gary's potential involvement could add credibility and Western face to the initiative
  • The limited time commitment model (3 months/year) makes participation more feasible
  • Religious alignment provides additional trust foundation for partnership