I took the vlog camera with me to the factory to keep myself active on the video blogs, ha! Luciano and I are working on Excalibur Brothers brand using the Blimp Method (Brand Licensing Improved) with the Global From Asia community. We have a very patient and amazing franchisee group with all the China lockdowns and delays to get these …
Speaking On Going B2B To D2C at the Benelux Chamber Event in Shenzhen, China
With Shenzhen opening up a bit, finally time to get out and network and speak. Well funny thing – this event was scheduled to happen in March but got pushed back due to the lockdowns (in 2022!) I was invited by Bob to speak at the Belgium, Luxembourg, Dutch Chamber event at Brass house bar in Futian, China on Friday …
Another Notch on the Tree, Happy Birthday to Me!
Well another year, and a third birthday in lockdown life. But like throws you curveballs, you need to adjust your batting position. From one lockdown to another (david’s home to my home with wife and children) – just amazed at how well the team has grown. Just letting go, and trying my best to provide safety, encouragement, and positive culture …
Visit to 1 Factory (But Rejected in Another Due to COVID)
Mid-February 2022, and we are grinding along as best we can, right? Luciano and I are upgrading / re-building a product brand that started in 2003, and bringing a new product line that we are launching on Amazon. It is called Excalibur Brothers (https://www.excaliburbrothers.com) and we have gotten great support from franchisees in the community via the Blimp Method. Now …
Where Were You When the Coronavirus Came? (Mike’s COVID-19 Story)
Two years have passed since the world learned of COVID-19. The question, “Where were you when it happened?” is a common one. Today, both in video and text form, I want to answer that question and document it here for all of you. While video form is much more entertaining, I’ll also recap it through text, and also link to …
Happy Chinese New Year 2022 – Tiger Time
We are entering Chinese New Year, and it is the year of the tiger coming up! Years keep passing by here as I am “semi-trapped” (well, can leave, but can’t come back!), and we just keep chugging along. The family and I went to Park Hyatt for a “small new year” celebration (Wendy said that a week before “big Chinese …
Converting the Home Studio to a Home School
The journey of being a parent overseas is becoming a common occurrence for more and more people; I being one of them. It is already a complex and dynamic experience, what with multiple cultures and languages. And when you throw COVID-19 on top of it all, it becomes pure insanity! The schools in Shenzhen closed on Monday due to a …
Ferris Wheel Family Day at Oh Bay
2022 has just come and we’re working harder than ever before, but we always remember to squeeze in some fun while working. The family, David Ho, and several friends went to the Oh Bay park in Bao An, Shenzhen last Saturday. This Ferris wheel is high-end! You barely feel like it is a Ferris wheel as you are fully enclosed …
Christmas in Shenzhen, China, 2021
Moving past 2021 and into the new year means passing through Christmas! Here in China you never really get the Christmas feel, but with kids it is unavoidable – ha! The school and kids pep them up and I felt a bit guilty this year not getting a big Christmas tree for our apartment. Eventually though, the kids finally accepted …
Leadership Traits
People don’t follow people who are not confident. Don’t WAVER with your decisions. Be fair and respectful to retain the respect of others. If you cannot control yourself, how can you influence others? Plan your work and work your plan! Don’t move by guesswork, else your ship will end up on the rocks. Go above and beyond all the time. …
NowShenzhen Re-Launch: Making It Happen
As we come to a wrap on the year 2021, one big project we’ve been working on is taking over the site NowShenzhen (formally known as Shenzhen Party) that started this past summer. After tons of rebuilding, reworking, and analysis, the new site (we call it version 1.5) is live and we decided that what better way to get people …
Nice Reunion with Melissa, Who Helped Me Come to China
As we approach 2022, it feels as if the years just keep flying by. I’ve been back in Shenzhen now for a few months and I’ve realized that old friends are also returning. One example is Melissa. She was in South Africa with her husband and daughter (her husband’s job relocated him there), but in the last year or so, …
Reminiscing On Simple Days: Fishing With My Dad
As these extended lockdowns continue, many of us are reflecting on “the good old days”. One thing I look forward to doing with my son and daughter is to take them on a fishing trip. It was so cold while I was in Shenyang, China that it would have been an ice fishing trip! However, now that I’m down in …
HuaQiangBei Electronics Market Post Covid Tour with my Son
I’ve done a Hua Qiang Bei market tour video blog before, but that was all in the “pre-COVID” world. Friends like Andy Lee have been asking me for a vlog showing how the Hua Qiang Bei market has transformed since COVID became a reality. Today, my son received a DIY spider robot in the mail and made most of it …