The stock market boom not long ago not only provided a steady source of funds for thousands of domestic enterprises, but was also a fountain of hope for many aspiring entrepreneurs. Take Qian Yafeng for instance. The 26-year-old NQA Certification Co salesman began buying shares immediately after passing out of graduate school 18 months ago. Initially, he used his own meager savings to do so. But as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index (SCI) graph continued its northward journey, he began borrowing from his parents to invest. By the time the index touched its highest point, the value of his portfolio had crossed 240,000 yuan ($34,280), a princely sum for a fresh graduate.

But he was not satisfied with what he had. Instead, he longed for more.

"I wanted more, and borrowed even more money from my parents to buy, buy, buy," Qian recalls. He had a reason for throwing a bit of caution to the winds - his dream was to set up a manufacturing plant. With the stock market going on a bull run, he kept laughing his way to the bank.