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Is It Bad To Tell Too Much, To Be Too Real?

In motivation by Michael Michelini10 Comments

I am not going to disclose the people who suggest this, but a few people say I am telling TOO MUCH on my blog. That showing my chaotic and insane life online may scare employees, business partners, and current or potential customers – as well as show my competitors who may be reading this too much inside information on my …

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Still Feel I’m holding myself back

In family friends, motivation, travel by Michael Michelini10 Comments

Another day in Xiamen, visited some ecommerce and sourcing people, hoping to grow some connections here and get to know the city more. Most of the others from the trade show left on Sunday, almost immediately after the trade show ended…..not giving one extra day before or after to see the city. Maybe I used to be like that, short …

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In Ningbo – Now I understand why businessmen are so old

In business, motivation by Michael Michelini3 Comments

I definitely underestimated what it takes to start a business……i figured i had some customers, some cash saved up, the rest would work out…..hahaha, 3 years later (from Shadstone beginning, 6 if you count from newyorkbarstore beginning), the struggle continues….. This is my countless times in a factory in the Ningbo area (yuyao, ningbo, yong kang – all over Zhejiang …

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Small Business changes who we are

In corporate world, motivation by Michael Michelini6 Comments

I am waiting in the lobby of shangri la hotel in tsim sha tsui meeting my friend scott taylor from delta tau delta fraternity, he and i met in a leadership academy (2001) in west Virginia, he went to Georgia tech in atlanta – i was at Stevens tech in new jersey. We met again 7 years ago or so …

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To Start a Business – Its Not Only Money

In motivation by Michael Michelini5 Comments

its will and drive. its about focus. Its about going against the odds. Its having the strength to keep going, even when maybe your closest friends think you’re completely insane. I just refuse to give up. Maybe its the way I grew up, but I feel I need to be a street fighter, a scrapper. Life isn’t about taking the …

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Lonely in New Office

In business, family friends, motivation by Michael Michelini2 Comments

I guess its like the saying goes “be careful what you wish for”. My previous office, was 1 massive room with a glass dividing wall between the office and the main room – NO privacy. So looking to move, I wanted to have multiple rooms, and areas that I could have private meetings with staff and visitors. Here is a …

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Things I want to do before I die

In motivation, travel by Michael Michelini2 Comments

I am cleaning up my desktop and computer, going through tons of folders and files…rather annoying but its good to go through it on a weekend – travel back in time and remember all the hopes and dreams of the past. Some are real, others never became – or realized something else. I found a really great file, things I …

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So many changes, holding on as best I can

In china business, motivation by Michael Michelini2 Comments

Hey, this is my personal blog, and it seems people here like reading about the real life story of my experiences….so here goes…hope it doesnt seem too much like complaining… Obviously being a small business owner, boot strapped and always under cash flow pressure – I am faced with daily pressure to deliver. Guess overall I like the pressure, even …

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Reflection – how did I end up here?

In china business, motivation by Michael Michelini14 Comments

Reading some linkedin.com discussions, and one that caught my eye was “how did you get into your industry where you are today?” I answered it in the thread, but also want to expand on it more here. Since I can remember, I always wanted to have my own company, back in 2003 after graduating university and starting a new full …