In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Michael Rothling, a "2.0 Entrepreneur" who defies every corporate stereotype. A toy company CEO who took over the family business at 23, Michael blends the disciplined business acumen of his German father with the explosive, fashionable flair of his Italian mother.

From tufting rugs to utilizing AI for "Brain Rot" trends, Michael approaches business as a performance art. We dive deep into his philosophy of "Self Branding"—why he deliberately dresses in loud, pink outfits to sell emotion and experience rather than just products. Michael opens up vulnerably about his past battles with bullying, severe acne, and a recent "dark tunnel" of depression, explaining how art became his weapon to find light again.

We also discuss the "Kidult" market revolution, why having enemies is actually a sign of success (and fuel for your fire), and his passionate defense of Hong Kong as the ultimate safe haven for international business.

If you are an entrepreneur trying to find your unique voice, or a creative navigating the intersection of commerce and art, Michael’s colorful, fearless approach to life and business is essential listening.

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Who is Michael Roffling?

02:02 - The "Entrepreneur 2.0" & Mixing Toys with Art

05:24 - Inheriting a Legacy: The German Father & Italian Mother

11:36 - The Strategy of the "Paradise Bird" (Self-Branding)

13:12 - "Money gives you a better class of enemy"

14:43 - Art Process: Tufting, Splashing, and ChatGPT

28:00 - The Problem with "Toy Art" & Mass Production

38:43 - Childhood Trauma & The "Dark Tunnel" of Depression

46:58 - Advice to a 16-Year-Old: "Don't Give a Sh*t"

51:52 - Why Hong Kong is the Safest Hub for Creatives

56:04 - A Vision for HK: Attracting International Artists

QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:

"Money can't buy your friends, but it can give you a better class of enemy... I’m a fire. And if you put gasoline on the fire, it grows more up." - Michael Roffling

"I don't give a sh*t what other people think... It is not a rebellion. It is self-branding. It is self-security to go on the street dressed like this." - Michael Roffling

"I look at the toy in the aesthetic way, not into the emotional way... Yes, I am a Santa Claus... but I see toy more in aesthetic and how it's presented on the shelf." - Michael Roffling

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Michael Rothling is a Hong Kong-based toy industry entrepreneur and artist. Taking over his family's toy manufacturing business at a young age, he has evolved the company by integrating modern trends like the "Kidult" market and AI technology. He is also a practicing artist, utilizing mediums like tufting and splash art to express his vibrant, "Paradise Bird" persona and navigate mental health challenges.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.

CONNECT WITH US:

Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!

📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee