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 …
In Ningbo – Now I understand why businessmen are so old
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 …
As I Have More Readers – I cannot change my purpose
Its great that each day now I hear about people enjoying to read my blog. Of course that is the first purpose I had when I first started this blog , to share my experiences starting up a company and transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship & small business. I remember the conversation in a New York diner, with Greg …
Small Business changes who we are
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 …
To Start a Business – Its Not Only Money
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 …
Putting More Internal Pressure on Myself then Ever Before
Sorry to those around me…but I am on a rampage the past couple weeks….I am just fighting like never before…..That is how I deal with things….I come at them head on. I need to be aggressive….I didn’t come this far, all the way out here to China, to get lazy, drink beer, and try to get other people to pay …
Current horoscope I’m gonna write a best seller!
My mom and dad always send me scanned copies of my horoscope. This is a rather recent one I thought I would share today. IT IS AWESOME + EXACTLY WHAT I THINK EACH DAMN DAY For those who can’t see the image clearly. Your life is a journey, not a destination. You should one day write a book about your …
Lonely in New Office
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 …
Things I want to do before I die
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 …
So many changes, holding on as best I can
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 …
Reflection – how did I end up here?
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 …
Maybe I just need a vacation – am I a good businessman?
I always try to take criticism positively….even if someone tells me in a negative condescending matter. I think it helps a person grow and you have to keep your ears open even when you may not want to hear it. I have to add an image from the movie “Fallen Down” – I’m not that bad….YET! haha, but some days …
Time to Shine in 2010
Its been since christmas since blogging….no i haven’t forgotten about you guys….its more because ive been working day and night – and that is pretty boring to blog about. But i am getting more confident, more focused. I am sure 2010 will be a great year….all the time, years, invested both in time and in money, now is the time …
The World Needs Dreamers Who Perform
wondering if my uncle is giving me a hint a bout my being a dreamer …. and artist…. in some way…he just sent me this email DEAR MIKE, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS ARTICLE. PARTS OF IT, I BELIEVE COULD PERTAIN TO SOME WHO ARE NOT ARTISTS. ……. ((((rest deleted from this blog entry)))………. LOVE, UNCLE BILL …
Is it really that great to win the lottery?
Ya, sounds crazy right….but everyone must think how great it is to win the lottery, yet…have we considered the ramifications? Here are some reasons i would consider it more: If it were kept private – i think the feeling of winning the lottery must be one of the greatest in ones lifetime, but having it announced on the television has …