Little Stone Lion
Go Global. In Zen. In Green.
"Combining skillful storytelling with powerful, practical wisdom"- Marci Shimoff, #1 NY Times Best Selling Author
A Poem about Little Stone Lion
A ray of golden morning light
shines upon the little stone lion
He once lost his way in dark nights
But never lost his dreams
to explore the unknown land
He waits
until a ray of morning light
shines upon him
- Moon Creek Poetry (Link)
The Cowardly Lion finds Courage in his Own Heart."– The Wizard of Oz.
Little Stone Lion Introduction
- The Business Philosophy of Rising from Nothingness
In a world of rapid business transformation, "Little Stone Lion" emerges as a beacon of unique business wisdom, blending Eastern philosophy with Western strategy to empower entrepreneurs and business leaders on the path to success.
Written by a top former Accenture management consultant and entrepreneur Susanna Huang the book draws on her diverse professional experience to weave together insights from Zen philosophy and Western business practices. Through captivating real-life stories, the author explores how to build a top-tier brand from scratch, addressing key areas systematically and holistically.
This book is not just a guide to business strategy; it is a profound exploration of the entrepreneurial spirit. "Little Stone Lion" encourages business leaders to pursue success while maintaining inner peace and unwavering values. It introduces the concept of "U & I" (Uniqueness & Interconnectedness), emphasizing that sustainable success is achieved by embracing one's uniqueness while harmonizing with the broader business ecosystem.
Whether you are a startup founder or a business leader seeking new breakthroughs, "Little Stone Lion" offers you a holistic and straightforward business roadmap. It inspires you to build an innovative, socially responsible, and sustainable enterprise. As the book itself states, "Business is not merely a journey of wealth accumulation; it is a journey of soul awakening."
Susanna Qiang Huang
Zen-Inspired Management Consultant | Published Nature Poet | Award-Winning Solar Entrepreneur | East Meets West
Vision Statement
Pioneering a New Era of Interconnected Business.
We envision a world where success is not just measured by profit but by the positive impact on society and nature. 'Little Stone Lion' aims to empower entrepreneurs to build a business ecosystem that is both unique and harmonious.
Mission Statement
Empowering Global Entrepreneurs to Create Unique and Collaborative Businesses.
Through 'Little Stone Lion,' we inspire entrepreneurs to discover their inner strength, implement distinctive strategies, and achieve a win-win for individuals and communities alike.
Marci Shimoff
#1 New York Times bestselling author, 16 million copies sold worldwide in 33 languages,
Renowned speaker,
California, USA
"Combining skillful storytelling with powerful, practical wisdom, Susanna encourages us to use creativity and innovation to reimagine the business landscape. Little Stone Lion is a powerful guidebook for those committed to leading with purpose and compassion, achieving financial success and nurturing our planet and its resources”.
Ida Abdalkhani
International Speaker
& Award-Winning CEO
Global Board Member of Women Presidents' Organization
"If you seek wisdom over knowledge, this read is for you. Allow yourself to be transported to experiences of the soul”.
Zhi-Long Chen
Dean’s Chair in Management Science
Robert H. Smith School of Business
University of Maryland
"Susanna Qiang Huang's book "Little Stone Lion" stands as a beacon of graceful simplicity in the realm of business literature. Seamlessly weaving together Eastern and Western philosophies, this book invites readers to delve deeply into various business functions while offering a panoramic view of the business landscape. Like an artist meticulously painting a small bird that embodies the majesty of a giant eagle, Huang captures both the intricate details and the magical power of the interconnectedness of business operations."
This book transcends business strategy; it is a celebration of creativity, innovation, and sustainability. Huang's narrative encourages readers to reimagine traditional business frameworks and offers profound insights that resonate long after the final page. For aspiring entrepreneurs and business students alike, "Little Stone Lion" is a compelling read that illuminates the path to entrepreneurial success with clarity, wisdom, and a heartfelt commitment to making a meaningful impact."
Eric Wentworth
Creative Director
Author & Award-winning Marketing Professional
San Francisco, CA, USA
"Susanna is the poet laureate for enlightened human beings. Her lyrical phrasing and mystical connection to nature force the reader to think deeply about the value and meaning of her words. Seldom has a new talent in poetry exhibited such depth, maturity, and creativity."
Song Qi
EVP, Global 500 Manufacturer,
OSU Fisher MBA Alumni,
Ohio
"I have known Susanna for the last two decades, observing her professional journey from working for large corporations to running a start-up, as well as the enjoyment she derived from the journey. This book has benefited from her vast business experiences and her unique understanding of both Western and Eastern business cultures. It provides a great business framework that can be applied to practical business problems both holistically and systematically. It is an excellent combination of management theory and real-world business practices."
Jan Rippingale
Founder, CEO, Thought Leader &
Keynote Speaker in Solar Industry,
California
"Little Stone Lion," deftly crafted by Susanna, unravels the complexities of business through an extraordinary blend of elegance, simplicity, and penetrating insight. Each sentence, radiant and potent, guides the reader through the intricate labyrinth of entrepreneurship, offering an immersive Zen journey. We accompany Susanna in her quest to expand her knowledge by sharing it, a testament to her belief in mutual growth. The book breathes life into the principles she champions, seamlessly marrying profitability with purpose and harmonizing intellectual depth with emotional resonance. At its core, "Little Stone Lion" serves as a luminous beacon of holistic, purposeful entrepreneurship - an indispensable read for those bold visionaries intent on making a lasting impact.”
Xuhui Shao
Former VP of Yahoo,
Managing Partner of Tech VC,
Silicon Valley
“This unique book offers an innovative exploration of how Zen principles can be applied to the business world. The author intertwines Zen philosophy with modern business strategies, creating a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and leadership that are rooted in the author’s own journey and her poetic personal reflections in each chapter such as “"Business is also an Art. A great brand is a masterpiece of Art…" that is so beautifully and artistically rendered in words. This book is particularly insightful for those interested in how mindfulness and spiritual values can enhance business practices, decision-making, and brand building. It's a narrative that weaves business acumen with a spiritual, minimalist approach, ideal for those seeking a holistic view of entrepreneurship and business strategy.”
Tyler Kanczuzewski
VP of Sustainability
reGen South Bend, LLC
Indiana
"Little Stone Lion is a breath of fresh air in a world of constant uncertainty. Implementing Susanna's ideas to go zen, and go green, can help one to live in the present and stay focused on what matters most. We all have so much to give to the planet, and this book can help you get there!"
John Miller
Co-Founder of Mana Pacific, Social Impact Entrepreneur
Pacific Islands
"Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about business's place in the world. This book challenges conventional wisdom and offers a bold new vision. By weaving together spirituality, emotional intelligence, and practical advice, the author provides a compelling case for leading with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. A must-read for any entrepreneur seeking to build an integrous business that thrives and truly makes a genuine difference in this world. This is a book and teaching that will stay with you long after you finish reading it."
Zhaoyang Liang
VP Executive,
Global Financial Services,
Arizona
“I especially enjoyed the coda, "Little Stone Lion: The End". It weaves together the personal, the philosophical, and the practical aspects of her journey as a green entrepreneur, as a minority, a woman, an immigrant, and an underdog. I feel the encouragement, unity, and empowerment, and it is quite inviting for readers like me to embark on our own transformative journeys.”
Mengji Li
Renowned Writer, Million Copies Sold
"Susanna is an exceptionally talented and respected Chinese woman, as well as an outstanding writer. Her writing is elegant and refined, with a keen insight into life. Reading her work is a delightful experience, and it is well worth your time."
Daniel Leung
OSU Fisher MBA Alumni Board Member, Consultant,
Hongkong
"Little Stone Lion" elevates beyond the typical scope of management literature. As I delved into its chapters, it felt like engaging in a deep, meaningful conversation with a long-missed friend, accompanied by the gentle comfort of floral tea. Here, I was captivated by her open recounting of entrepreneurial tales, interspersed with challenges and victories, introspective thoughts, and the illuminous pearls of wisdom. Susanna’s prose is concise yet vibrant, abundantly insightful yet remarkably approachable, all woven together with a touch of graceful refinement.”
Frank Agin
Founder and President of AmSpirit Business Connections, Ohio
"Susanna's storytelling and practical wisdom inspire us to use creativity and innovation in business. "Little Stone Lion" is a guide for leading with purpose, achieving financial success, and caring for our planet."
Hui Zhang
Executive,
Global Logistics
Texas, USA
"Susanna's sincere words, I see the story of a hardworking entrepreneur's transformation into a successful leader, from a puzzled practitioner following the flow to a confident industry leader who has found her true self. I hope you can join me in gaining multifaceted inspiration from this work, both in business and in personal growth and values. Furthermore, I hope her positive energy and sparkling light will bring starlight to more lives and make our shared world a better place."
Jiehui Liu
Writer, Renowned Publisher, CEO
"Susanna is a courageous and resilient lady with a touch of romanticism. Not only does she tirelessly pursue excellence in her endeavors, but she also maintains a reflective mindset, consistently using her writing to capture the truth. I believe this work will inspire and nourish you through her story."
Bo Guan
Founder & CEO
OSU Ph.D. in EE
"As an entrepreneur, I am deeply drawn to the author's Zen-inspired infusion thinking. Infusion is the key to resolving conflicts and achieving visions; it is the embodiment of long-termism. The author's multinational experiences and cross-disciplinary perspectives constantly flow with the poetry, positive energy, and mindfulness that infusion brings. On the path of entrepreneurship, especially at crossroads, this book will certainly lead you into a state of flow, helping you realize your own business Zen essence."
Edward Yu
Solar Executive
"" Numerous business managers have regarded books like 'Jack: Straight from the Gut' and 'The Essays of Warren Buffett' as essential guides for learning about business strategy and management in the US market. After decades of personal experience working in multinational businesses, my longing to read a book authored by a China-US business expert, with a specific focus on Chinese companies engaged in global and US market operations, has grown immensely."
For managers at all levels, this book serves as your comprehensive guide to advancing your business within both the US and the international market. And for all business owners, this book is highly recommended if your company isn't prepared for a million-dollar consultancy project yet still seeks invaluable insights. "
Grant Carpenter
Associate Attorney
“Little Stone Lion” is a compelling and insightful read, especially for small business owners navigating the competitive landscape. One of the standout aspects of the book is its focus on the mindset and resilience required to thrive against larger competitors. It offers a fresh perspective on the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that success is not solely about size or resources but about vision, determination, and the ability to adapt.
Unique Values
Philosophy of Uniqueness & Interconnectedness:
Little Stone Lion is more than a business book; it’s a manifesto urging businesses to thrive by embracing their unique identity while leveraging the strength of interconnected ecosystems. This approach celebrates individuality and fosters a network of mutual support, challenging traditional competitive models.
Zen and Green Approach:
Integrating mindfulness, simplicity, and sustainability, the book emphasizes success that values personal well-being, societal impact, and environmental responsibility.
Enso’s Inner House of Business Framework:
A fusion of Eastern philosophy with actionable strategies, guiding entrepreneurs to build brands resonating deeply with their values and target audiences.
Practical Wisdom with a Soulful Twist:
Goes beyond profits, delving into the soulful side of entrepreneurship, viewing business as a personal journey and form of self-expression.
Story-Driven Entrepreneurial Journey:
Through intimate storytelling and transformative experiences, it provides a relatable roadmap, inspiring readers to navigate their journeys with courage and wisdom.
Global Perspective with Local Insight:
Offers a global mindset infused with local wisdom, equipping entrepreneurs to scale internationally while staying true to their roots.
Joy, Peace, and Harmony in Business:
Promises the pursuit of joy, peace, and harmony as integral to business success, setting it apart from conventional business literature.
Management Consultant Zhaoyang Leon Liang
Diverse Readers of Little Stone Lion
The "Little Stone Lion" business book is crafted to resonate with a diverse group of readers who are at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
"Elegant and refined, with a keen insight into life. Reading her work is a delightful experience, and it is well worth your time." - Mengji Li, Renowned Writer, Million Copies Sold.
1. Management Consultants - "Wisdom over Knowledge Transformation"
Consultants seeking fresh perspectives on business strategy, enriched by the Enso’s Inner House of Business Framework.
2. Business Owners - "A Deep Soulful Entrepreneur Conversation"
Seasoned entrepreneurs wanting to rejuvenate their strategies and adopt sustainable practices for long-term success.
3. Corporate Leaders - "A Practical Business Framework with Positive Energy"
Professionals experiencing transformations or transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, in search of courage and tools to navigate their new journey, with new values, new mindsets and new energy.
4. Business Students - "A Business Classic with Graceful Simplicity"
Students in entrepreneurship programs seeking a holistic view of business, combining Western management practices with Eastern wisdom.
5. Aspiring Entrepreneurs - "A How-to Book to Find Your Purpose and Vision"
Dreamers looking to start their own business, seeking inspiration and practical guidance through a philosophical and actionable lens.
6. Early-Stage Startups - "A Simple Holistic Systematic Business Guide"
Founders and team members aiming to establish a solid business foundation while avoiding common pitfalls.
7. Green Energy Advocates - "Giving Kindness Back to Our Mother Planet"
Individuals passionate about sustainability and green business practices, drawn to the author's background and the book's integration of these principles.
8. Zen and Mindfulness Practitioners - "A Zen-Inspired Journey, East Meets West"
People appreciating the infusion of Zen principles into business thinking and professionals lives.
9. Diverse Business Communities - "A Book of Encouragement and Enpowerment"
Minority and women businss owners who resonating with authori's personal journey, providing representation and encouragement.
Sample Chapter - Preface
Eiffel Tower Has a “Noble Heart”
"It is technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing." – Steve Jobs
As the night fell, I found myself sitting on stone steps, gazing at the majestic Eiffel Tower in the distance.
I was captivated by the slowly radiating golden light of the Eiffel Tower in the dark night.
It was in the summer of 2014; I explored Paris on foot.
The visitor counts at the international renewable energy exhibition in Paris dropped significantly, but it did not dampen my spirits to tour the city.
The following year, in 2015, an email popped up from our New York installer, informing me that they installed our inverters on the Eiffel Tower.
I wrote an article “Reaching for the Sky”, published on the North American Clean Energy magazine.
As I wrote this chapter, it dawned on me that the Paris Agreement was also adopted in 2015.
At the centre of the Paris Agreement poster stands the Eiffel Tower, gently touching people’s hearts.
Two seemingly unrelated dots connected in my mind, in a flash of awakening.
In the moment when Eiffel Tower was endowed with a new "heart", a renewable energy system, it found a new purpose in its precious life, inspiring people to Go Global, In Green.
Technologies are only the tools we use.
The overarching aim of humankind is to seek happiness, both in life and in business.
Technologies may be cold. The hearts of we, humans, are warm energy fields, filled with love and compassion, that can be felt by people over mountains, across seas, and through Time and Space.
Sample Chapter - Preface
A Small Bird Flies in the Sunshine
Business is a soul-awakening Journey, not just a money-accumulation Journey. – Susanna Huang
Walking toward the security gate inside the Columbus International Airport, my attention was attracted to the big overhead billboard. A small and lovely bird was projected by the light as the shadow of a big eagle.
This image resonated deeply within me. Green Energy Village, my boutique management consulting business, founded in Dublin, was that small and lovely bird.
In 2011, I left Mettler Toledo, a Fortune 500 global manufacturer, where I learned solar and sustainability at our week-long global management training program in the tranquil scenery Switzerland.
I took on the new solar industry, attracted by the magic of solar.
I started only with a laptop and a vision, in the Starbucks Café inside our local Barnes and Noble bookstore.
A decade later, our woman-owned and minority-owned small business was selected as the Top 10 Solar Energy Technologies Consulting Services Company. We also won the prestigious EuPD Top Brand PV Inverter Award in the United States, only one in our niche market, among other business giants, big eagles.
We are now living in a new world, facing unknowns and uncertainties.
Remember the mass extinctions of dinosaurs? Big businesses face big adaption challenges.
I observed that getting smaller is a mega business trend in this post-pandemic world.
Small businesses may have much better chance to survive.
But small is not enough, be graceful and powerful, like this small and lovely bird.
Or be young David who defeated Giant Goliath.
Green Energy Village is a living proof.
Sample Chapter
Standards, Not Stack of Papers
Picture me sitting in the Moon Creek Sunroom, gazing at the serene woods, while my thoughts fly thousands of miles away to the islands of the Pacific Oceans. I pondered how we could accelerate solar adoption on these twenty-two islands to fight climate change.
The challenges I faced in Barbados in the past served as a valuable lesson. Barbados is a beautiful island I enjoyed visiting, among happy tourists, though for solar business. We had developed solar inverters compliant with the local utility standards, only to encounter a sudden change in their grid requirements. This shift rendered our products incompatible, losing sales opportunities, after spending months on the product development effort.
Determined not to repeat Barbados experience in the Pacific Islands, I proposed a ground-breaking solution, when providing my consulting advice to a renowned solar social impact company in Hawaii. We shall not tackle each island's solar standards individually. By collectively standardizing the utility grid solar standards requirements across all twenty-two Pacific islands at the onset of the solarization efforts, we could significantly reduce implementation time from several years to less than a year. Millions of dollars could be saved by local utilities, solar equipment manufacturers, solar service companies etc.
Standards are not merely a stack of documents collecting dust on shelves.
In fact, they serve as our gateway to accessing top customers in our niche market.
However, many entrepreneurs shy away from the challenges associated with achieving and implementing product standards, often relegating them to a low priority. It's time to change this perception and understand the true values that standards bring to your business.
In the state of California, as part of their grid modernization initiatives, concerns arose regarding solar saturation and the stability of the power grid, preventing the big solar adoptions. To address these issues, we shall comply with the new solar data communication standards, hard requirements, and ensure that our smart inverters could intelligently communicate with the grids. This would enable them to respond to grid disturbances and prevent mass blackouts or brownouts. I asked our product team to contribute to the standard formation, while I joined the board of SunSpec Alliance, a leading international solar data communication standard non-profit organization.
Although it required several months of dedicated effort, we successfully achieved solar inverter compliance with these standards, allowing us to retain our top customers. As a result, we found ourselves with only a handful of companies competing in the solar inverter market, positioned as an industry leader.
Sample Chapter
Chasing Knowledge like “CATS”
Chasing CATS: Create, Apply, Teach, Share Knowledge. - Susanna Huang
From a young age, I embraced the belief that "Knowledge is Power."
But is this still true?
Tony Robbins, a thought leader, reminds us that "Knowledge is NOT power. Knowledge is only POTENTIAL power. Action is power."
I was a young Accenture consultant fresh out of Tsinghua University. I sought ways to rapidly expand my knowledge and present myself professionally to clients, top brands. Thankfully, Accenture had a global knowledge base, a treasure repository of insights contributed by the talented consultants from around the world. I eagerly "borrowed" knowledge from there, arming myself with confidence before meeting clients.
I want to challenge the traditional notion of safeguarding knowledge, some individuals
accumulated over the years. Today, knowledge is readily available at our fingertips, and it obsoletes quickly. Instead of focusing solely on the acquisition of knowledge, we want to shift our attention towards gaining valuable insights from the knowledge and applying that knowledge in the fields more quickly and effectively.
When I contemplate on the lifecycle of the knowledge, I saw the fun image of cats chasing their tails — a perpetual cycle that consists of Create, Apply, Teach, and Share knowledge.
C – Create Knowledge
A – Apply Knowledge
T – Teach Knowledge
S – Share Knowledge
Little Stone Lion's Journey
About Author
Susanna Qiang Huang
Susanna Huang is a visionary entrepreneur, management consultant and Accenture alumnus, and founder of Enso Circle Space. Holding an MBA from The Ohio State University, she has built a diverse career across Fortune 500 companies, global consulting, and solar entrepreneurship. In Little Stone Lion, Susanna blends Eastern philosophy with Western business strategies, offering profound wisdom to empower entrepreneurs, business leaders, and students. Her work inspires others to build purposeful, interconnected, and resilient businesses rooted in authenticity, mindfulness, and sustainability.
Navigate change with Enso's Inner House of Business Framework, a strategic roadmap inspired by Zen simplicity and deep wisdom. Designed for visionary founders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, this framework amplifies profits, impacts, and fosters sustainability. Rooted in Susanna Huang's Little Stone Lion, it offers a holistic approach to brand building, growth, and operations. By integrating Zen philosophy, it simplifies complexities, promoting mindfulness and interconnectedness across all business facets—from branding and product development to customer service and personal transformation. A comprehensive guide for thriving in today’s competitive market.
