Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter: Qin Meihua) news: During the Spring Festival holiday, machines hummed nonstop in the workshop of Urumqi Xinmuchun Dairy Products Co., Ltd., in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, filling the courtyard with the rich aroma of milk. Tumarbek Serikaz, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, was run off his feet. With three of his employees away for the holiday, he had to personally handle every step of the process — from delivery and fermentation to drying and packaging.

Photo taken on February 28, 2026 shows Tumarbek and his family chat about their plans for this year while having a meal.

"This is what it's like running your own company; you have to know how to do everything, and when push comes to shove, you've got to step up yourself." On February 27, 2026, Tumarbek wiped milk stains from his hands and said with a smile. His face still carried the energy of youth, yet also showed the steady determination of an entrepreneur.

Tumarbek is a native of Dongnan’gou Village in the Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District), northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. After graduating from university, he worked in the city for two years, living a stable life, yet he never stopped thinking about his hometown and the milky aroma he grew up with. After careful consideration, he made the resolute decision to leave his secure job and return to the village to carry on his family's time-honored dairy-making tradition.

Photo taken on February 27, 2026 shows Tumarbek Serikaz (right) and a worker make yogurt curd (traditional dried yogurt balls) in the workshop of Urumqi Xinmuchun Dairy Products Co., Ltd.

At first, he simply planned to renovate his family's unused house into a small workshop. When village officials learned of this, they came to him immediately, proactively helping him navigate relevant policies and apply for support. "The village knew I wanted to make something happen. They not only helped me secure special funds but also provided me with the village collective's factory space to use for free," Tumarbek said.

Photo taken on February 27, 2026 shows Tumarbek Serikaz checks how well the yogurt curd has dried.

From the project's approval in September 2024 to the official establishment of the company in May 2025, his entrepreneurial journey progressed smoothly and steadily in just a few short months. Today, the factory floor is lined with a six-ton-capacity refrigerated milk tank and large-scale pasteurization equipment, processing up to three tons of fresh milk daily. Initially, the milk supply came from just a few herder households in the village. Now, the company has gradually expanded to establish long-term partnerships with multiple surrounding farms, ensuring a fresh and stable milk supply while also providing these livestock farmers with a reliable market for their products.

Photo taken on February 27, 2026 shows Tumarbek Serikaz checks the separation of ghee.

"Our milk sources are reliable and our processes are clean and up to standard — that's how we ensure the product is safe for people to enjoy," Tumarbek explained.

Currently, the company offers a wide range of products, including fresh milk, yogurt, yogurt curd, butter, cheese, and milk skin products. To cater to younger tastes, he and his team have conducted repeated experiments and launched new products like oatmeal yogurt and Greek yogurt. With their rich, smooth texture, these new offerings have been well-received by customers as soon as they hit the market.

Photo taken on February 27, 2026 shows Tumarbek Serikaz puts the prepared yogurt into freezer.

As the business grew, he prioritized hiring fellow villagers. So far, the company has created seven jobs, and plans to recruit three more people this year, enabling more locals to earn a steady income close to home.

"When the weather warms up, I want to renovate the cold storage room and also design our own product packaging — combining traditional dairy products with modern techniques." Speaking of his plans for the year, Tumarbek's eyes shone with determination. "There's so much to do. But we'll take it step by step, build up the brand, and achieve prosperity together with everyone."