We had the good fortune of connecting with Dali Ma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dali, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think of risk not as something to fear, but as a necessary ingredient for growth. For me, taking risks has never been about being reckless—it’s about being intentional, informed, and bold enough to step into the unknown when something calls to you.

In my career, risk has played a pivotal role. Leaving the comfort zone—whether it was pivoting from street photography in Europe to high-fashion work in the U.S., launching a clothing brand like Purmulti from scratch, or stepping into thought leadership in AI and digital marketing—none of those moves were guaranteed. But each one aligned with a bigger vision.

What I’ve learned is that the biggest rewards often live on the other side of uncertainty. Risk has been my compass in choosing purpose over predictability.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My journey as an entrepreneur has always been rooted in curiosity and a willingness to create what I didn’t see in the world. I didn’t start off with the intention of launching multiple ventures—but I’ve always followed the thread of what feels meaningful, especially when it intersects creativity, innovation, and culture.

Setting up my companies—like Truly Yours Inc., which focuses on economic research, and Purmulti, our fashion brand based in Shanghai—wasn’t the result of a straight path. It was a series of bold steps, some serendipitous turns, and a whole lot of learning on the go. With each venture, the vision has been clear: build something original, thoughtful, and impactful.

There were moments of doubt, financial pressure, cultural pushback, and the complexity of leading teams across different industries and geographies. But I’ve learned to treat challenges like creative constraints—they force you to innovate.

What I’m most proud of is building with integrity. Every company I’ve helped shape reflects a piece of who I am, but more importantly, it reflects a belief that business can be both beautiful and strategic. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, to think long-term, and to surround myself with people who challenge and inspire me.

What I want the world to know about me and my story is this: I didn’t come from a traditional business background—I came from physics, philosophy, and art. But that foundation taught me how to think differently, ask better questions, and never stop evolving. And that mindset continues to guide every company I build. I was honoured to be chosen as one of the Forbes Top 100 Most Influential Chinese.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting LA, I’d show them a side of the city that’s creative, soulful, and a little unexpected. We’d start with design-forward cafés in Silver Lake, dive into art at The Broad and local galleries in the Arts District, and spend golden hour in Malibu with our feet in the sand. We’d check out emerging fashion studios downtown, catch an outdoor screening or a low-key show at Zebulon, and have late-night convos over natural wine in Echo Park. LA’s magic isn’t just in its landmarks—it’s in the layers of community, culture, and quiet moments that make you feel like you’re part of something bigger.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Joseph Choi, ultrarichfunding@gmail.com

Website: https://www.trulyyours.love

Instagram: dali.photographer

Other: www.purmulti.com
www.dali.studio

Image Credits
Image 1 Dali Ma as Forbes Top 100 Most Influential Chinese
Image 6 Dali Ma and Co-founder Alina Lin at Beijing Fashion Show representing Purmulti
Image 7 Purmulti (Dali’s Women’s Clothing Brand) walking Beijing Fashion Show

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.