Former NBA star Yao Ming's investment empire

3 Byejoe

Retired Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming speaks during the award ceremony for the China Business Leaders 2015 in Shanghai, China, Jan 14 2016.[Photo/IC]

Byejoe in Houston, a private enterprise owned by a handful of American and Chinese investors, including Texas' Yao Ming Investments Inc, imports baijiu from China but modifies it for the US market.

From 2011 to 2013, Byejoe spent two years in product research and development, and to obtain the more than 60 different certificates and licenses necessary to sell liquor in the US. Byejoe started sales during the Chinese New Year in 2013.