Report by Xiaozhi Zhong

  I chose AAE because I believe it offers a comprehensive and supportive platform for students to engage in practical entrepreneurial research and hands-on internships. The specific sub-task I selected is Green Business Model Research, an area that aligns with global sustainability trends and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its core research objective is to systematically analyze the operational logic, implementation paths, and value realization approaches of green business models within entrepreneurial projects, while focusing on the triple bottom line of people, Planet, and profits. This research aims to establish a standardized evaluation framework to help startups effectively measure their environmental, social, and economic performance.

The entrepreneur I selected for in-depth analysis is Lydia YAO, the founder of Sunny Snake. Her company focuses on a unique retail model focused on books and healthy snacks, embodying green and healthy consumption concepts. A key innovation of Sunny Snake is its provision of contactless pickup services, which not only reduces unnecessary person-to-person contact but also minimizes energy consumption associated with traditional in-store services, aligning with low-carbon operational goals.

Lydia’s business model integrates environmental responsibility into daily consumption: by offering nutrient-dense, additive-free snacks and promoting reading culture, she addresses both public health and environmental concerns. The contactless pickup system optimizes resource utilization and enhances customer convenience, reflecting how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can embed sustainability into core operations. These innovative approaches—combining health, culture, and green operations—make Sunny Snake an ideal case study for exploring how grassroots entrepreneurs can build viable, eco-friendly businesses that contribute to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).