Author and fashionista

In 1992, Kan successfully transformed herself from a TV personality to an entrepreneur by creating the Yue Sai cosmetics brand, which became the market leader in China and was purchased by French cosmetics company L'Oreal Group in 2004.

Besides the new book, she has written nine others that have become bestsellers in China. These include Yue-Sai's Guide to Asian Beauty, which teaches basic makeup and personal styling techniques, Life is a Competition, a motivational book drawn from her experience directing Miss Universe China, and 99 Ways to Live a Charmed Life, which provides young Chinese advice for their careers, relationships and all-around development.

"I am by nature very optimistic. I work hard, study hard, and the most important thing is that I feel a sense of mission. I believe in what I do, believe that I am meant to do it and that what I do will benefit the world," says Kan. "When I am under stress and difficulty in my life, I always go back to my original reasons for doing this work in the first place. Persistence, for me, is important."

Throughout her life, Kan has also been deeply involved in charity. On Jan 26, she is planning to host a major charity event in San Francisco, in which she will honor 12 of the most outstanding Chinese-American women, who have "contributed so much to US communities and the future of the world," she says.

Kan has never stopped doing what she loves. She is currently planning to do a 10-part television series exploring and highlighting the most interesting aspects of 10 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Chengdu.

"I firmly believe that a TV series featuring these major Chinese cities is not only timely, but also necessary to educate, enlighten and entertain by showcasing the Chinese people as they live today. This will help dispel some of the misunderstandings about China in the world," Kan says.