14 years ago, Timothy and Talisa Rogers moved from the United States with their children, crossing the ocean to start a new life in Hainan.

Having been away from their homeland for 26 years, they constantly sought a place to call home.

Eventually, Hainan became the place where they put down roots. From this home base, they created their own space, brought people together, and began exploring the beauty of the world.

In Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province, they opened a small shop that is half bakery, half Brazilian jiu-jitsu studio. Children's jiu-jitsu classes brought families back again and again, and soon the couple had made friends with many of their clients.

Most of their employees have been with them for more than 10 years, gaining skills in both baking and jiu-jitsu along the way. They often say, “This isn't just a shop. It's a home where we all grow together.”

The couple has also combined their love of chess with philanthropy, donating chess sets to children in Cambodia. The tiny pieces in these sets have crossed mountains and seas, connecting lives that might never have met, just like their little shop.

Flowers in spring, the sea in summer, autumn breezes, and winter sunshine—every season in Hainan brings something to enjoy and share. The everyday life of a small shop across the four seasons reflects the warmth and vitality of a family, as well as the energy and potential of a growing city.

The Hainan Free Trade Port welcomes everyone seeking a sense of belonging, from the warmth of a "small family" to the vibrant energy of a "larger community."

FTP Shopkeepers: Expat Entrepreneurs Ep. 7 — Across Oceans, Finding Home in Hainan