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Hi, I’m Alex Chen
Welcome to ChicYee! I’m the founder of this site and a cross-border entrepreneur who’s learned the hard way about the challenges of international payments.
My Journey
My journey into the world of global payments started back in 2018 when I launched my first e-commerce business selling specialty products to customers across North America and Europe. Like many entrepreneurs, I was excited about the potential of reaching global markets – but I quickly hit a frustrating reality: international payments are expensive and complicated.
In my first year alone, I estimate I lost over $15,000 to:
- Hidden currency conversion fees
- Unfavorable bank exchange rates (often 3-5% above market rates)
- International wire transfer charges
- Payment processor fees stacked on top of bank fees
- Delays in receiving funds from international customers
Worse yet, managing multiple bank accounts across different countries became an administrative nightmare. Each marketplace required local bank details, each supplier preferred their local currency, and reconciling everything at month-end was a full-time job in itself.
The Discovery
In early 2021, a fellow entrepreneur mentioned Airwallex during a casual conversation about payment challenges. At first, I was skeptical – I’d tried several “solutions” before that promised much but delivered little.
However, after researching Airwallex’s infrastructure and reading case studies from companies like GOAT and SHEIN, I decided to give it a try. The difference was immediate:
- Cost Savings: I cut my payment processing and FX costs by nearly 60% in the first month
- Efficiency: What used to take multiple platforms now happened in one place
- Speed: International payments that previously took 3-5 days now settled in hours
- Transparency: Finally, I could see exactly what I was paying for
By 2022, Airwallex had become the backbone of my business operations. I was able to reinvest the money saved into growth initiatives, and the time I saved on administrative tasks allowed me to focus on what actually mattered – building my business.
Why ChicYee?
After experiencing such a dramatic improvement in my own operations, I started recommending Airwallex to other entrepreneurs in my network. The feedback was consistent: “Why didn’t I know about this earlier?”
That’s when I realized there was a gap. While fintech solutions like Airwallex are revolutionizing international business, many entrepreneurs are still stuck with legacy banking systems simply because they don’t know better alternatives exist.
ChicYee was born from a simple mission: help business owners discover the tools that can actually move the needle on their bottom line.
What I Do Now
Today, I run multiple e-commerce businesses across different niches, all powered by modern fintech infrastructure. My daily operations involve:
- Managing multi-currency revenue streams from 40+ countries
- Paying international suppliers and service providers
- Handling marketplace settlements across Amazon, eBay, and independent platforms
- Optimizing payment flows to minimize FX exposure
This hands-on experience gives me practical insights that go beyond theoretical knowledge. When I write about payment solutions, I’m sharing strategies I use myself, backed by real data from real businesses.
My Expertise
Cross-Border E-commerce: 6+ years running international online businesses
Payment Optimization: Extensive experience with Stripe, PayPal, traditional banks, and modern fintech platforms
Multi-Currency Operations: Daily management of 15+ currencies
Marketplace Integration: Deep knowledge of Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and WooCommerce payment systems
Cost Analysis: Obsessive about tracking and optimizing payment-related expenses
My Philosophy
I believe in:
- Transparency Over Hype: I share real numbers, including both benefits and limitations
- Education Over Sales: My goal is to help you make informed decisions, not push products
- Practical Solutions: I focus on tools that solve real problems, not shiny features that sound good but don’t matter
- Continuous Learning: The fintech space evolves rapidly; I stay updated so you don’t have to
Full Disclosure
ChicYee participates in Airwallex’s affiliate program, which means I earn a commission when you sign up through my links. However, I only recommend Airwallex because it genuinely transformed my own business operations.
I’ve tested numerous payment platforms over the years, and Airwallex consistently delivers the best combination of cost-efficiency, functionality, and reliability for businesses operating internationally.
My promise: I will never recommend a solution I wouldn’t use myself or haven’t personally tested.
Beyond Business
When I’m not optimizing payment flows or writing guides, you’ll find me:
- Exploring new markets and emerging fintech trends
- Mentoring early-stage e-commerce entrepreneurs
- Reading about behavioral economics and decision-making
- Traveling (and testing local payment methods, of course!)
Let’s Connect
I love connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether you have questions about international payments, want to share your own experiences, or just need advice on scaling globally – I’m here to help.
Email: alex@chicyee.com
Have a specific question about your payment setup? Drop me an email. I read and respond to every message personally.
Start Your Journey
If you’re tired of losing money to unnecessary fees and want to streamline your international operations, I encourage you to explore what modern payment infrastructure can do for your business.
“The biggest cost in business isn’t what you spend – it’s what you unknowingly overpay.”