Hey everybody, I'm back again!
So friends who i have already met up with know that after my last venture in my previous company, I have decided to run my own business full time, and I have decided to run an online gift basket business because startup is RELATIVELY low as compared to other businesses, and also it is a pretty niche market in Singapore currently.
I'm gonna be recording down my experiences trying to start up my own business with no degree nor prior experience, I think blogging will keep me disciplined in tracking my progress and perhaps inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs to take the same leap. :D
So here goes...
Week 1 -
I'm quite blur about what is required to start this business. I am not very willing to open myself up to ask for help either which I KNOW is my weakness..... Ill just try to do everything on my own for now. Even though my dad is running is own business, but the nature of his business differs so much from the type of business that I want to do, and he's very busy anyway so I wouldnt want to rely on him too much. Of course, I do learn from him from the sidelines watching how business dealings take place, the transactions and the (shitload of) paperwork that needs to be done and its really interesting. One key thing I have learnt from watching him? Trust wisely, and dont be too ready to reveal anything. It had stuck with me till this day.
Bought a "How to Start and Run Your Own Business for Dummies" book with the gift voucher I received for Christmas and trying to follow it. It is easy to read but challenging to understand and apply. Have been in and out of office with a dazed look on my face like someone just punched me because of all that reading. I may be dummer than a dummy for now but IM GONNA PERSEVERE THROUGH THIS.
Have already decided on my business name, logo and branding. Now I need to sort up my finances and complete my business plan. Really wish I could just forget about all the finance shit and just run free but if I do that I just know that both me and my business would die a few years later as a consequence.
Have planned a sourcing trip to the Great Land of China with my Dad in March, and another holiday to New York in end April with my mum. The best time about running your own business is having the freedom to do whatever you want at your own calling. No one is going to nag at you for taking too many trips, or scold you for being a prick, or nitpick at every thing you try to do, which is awesome. But you need a lot of discipline to follow through. You answer to no one but yourself. Then eventually your customers. And your employees. And your investors. That's a story for the near future :D
Have been considering to take up a few things:
1. Driving lessons
- My dad is blind in one eye, so my mum does most of the chauffeuring. Itll help the family a lot if I knew how to drive so yup gonna take it up.
2. Volunteering with Little Heroes Dreams
- It is one of my lifelong goals to help kids in need, because I think every kid deserves the opportunity to make choices as to what they wish to become no matter what background they came from. It is also a very good self-reminder as to appreciate what I currently have, other kids arent as fortunate,
3. Get a public speaking certificate
- I love watching Ted videos and watching those really great speakers deliver powerful messages and inspire those who listen. I think public speaking is one of the most important skills anyone should cultivate, it will boost your confidence by leaps and bounds, and more importantly, able to increase your power of influence over people.
4. Get a DEGREE
- well, after 2 years of fighting with my loved ones about whether getting a degree is important, Im starting to think that well it actually IS very important in order to get a good paying starting job. Even if I'm terribly against the idea of a 9-5 deskbound job, but the money accumulated at the beginning stages of my work is essential in sustaining the cashflow of my startup. Also, the people that I get to mix around with during my classes and camps are invaluable sources of networks that I get to build, and eventually key in building my business.
- Now, instead of wanting to pursue a business degree, I'm thinking of whether I should take either a degree in either computer science, design or communications. Would the teachers allow me to take all? Haha. I wish man.
Going to rest now. Toodles~
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Past Reflections
Hey everyone (who still reads my blog), I'm back after a very long time.
Haven't gotten the chance to craft out a piece of writing to express my feelings and lessons learnt in awhile, and since it's the new year, I think it's the perfect time for me to do so. Should continue making this a habit in 2016, I can practise my writing skills and have a constant review about what's happening in my life.
I officially left Forte after 1 year 10 months. It was a bittersweet but necessary decision.
I have been promoting my company to all my loved ones like it's the best thing in this world, and refused to hear any other opinions of it. I respected my leaders a great deal and was very proud of the culture that was built within the Organisation. Till now, I still am.
It seemed as if I would craft out my whole career there. What was there to lose anyway? The talks of eventually getting the chance to run my own business after getting promoted through the system seemed promising. Also, the willing guidance given by all the owners would be very hard to find anywhere else.
Everything was going fine at first. I was earning very well, got myself promoted and gave me a lot of confidence that I could do the job. I knew it wasn't something that I would be willing to do in the long run, but since I was doing well, why not? Better to gain on-field experience compared to doing essay after essay in school all all over again. I felt like I could do anything, and was very ready to experience any challenge that came my way. However things just wasn't meant to be.
The disillusionment came when the opportunity to do a new campaign, Dominos Pizza came up. Personally, I hated that campaign to the core, because I personally didn't have anyone in my family who ate pizza, and I never ever believed in food coupons. Like who the fuck would buy that kind of shit? The in-store and online promotions were WAY better than the ones on hyphen coupon, and it just didn't feel right with my values.
When I made my feelings known, I was badly criticized for it. I was called selfish, because the rest of the team wanted to move. And that I was too comfortable in my current campaign, and that I was afraid of challenges. My leader is an extremely powerful figure, and I believed every single word that she said about me. So I believed her, and took up the challenge., even if I was still against it.
Long story short, the whole teams income was cut by more than 3 times, results were shit, except for one or two people who truly believed in the product. Things weren't made any easier by the expectations placed on us and the daily reminder that 'we weren't doing well enough'.
My team crashed when we moved into Fast Wax. Everyone had to eat grass because no one was earning. We repeated the same mistake that we did before when we transited campaigns by dumping everyone into it without proper training nor guidance. Perhaps it was due to our arrogance, that we thought that our way was best and that we didn't need to learn from anyone else. At that point of time, it was pretty much one of the lowest points during my time in Forte. My confidence was at an all time low. I almost hated myself. The worst part was having to still put a smile on my face when meeting everyone while doing things that I personally didn't believe in. It was fake, and quite frankly, so painful. However, I still believed that things would get better. Little did I know I was driving myself insane by doing things that was making myself miserable.
This affected my relationships too. I was jumpy at my parents for making only a slight comment about my work. Screaming matches were the norm. I was constantly fighting with my boyfriend and kept insulting him for his ideals. The final straw came when my boyfriend and I had a huge fight and I crossed the line by saying extremely hurtful things. He ended up not talking to me nor replying my texts for the next few days.
I went into full recluse mode. I shut out all opinions from my family and my colleagues alike, and had a period of self-reflection. I have gathered different perspectives, now it was time for myself to make my own decision as to what I think would be best for me. Why was I always so jumpy at my loved ones? We're they really trying to put me down? Or was I just afraid of the truth behind their words? Were my leaders words REALLY the only way to do things? Was I staying because I really wanted to do this or just doing it out of fear that I would fail in life if I were to give up on this career? Because that was exactly how it seemed and how I felt. That was how blinded I was.
Thus, I decided to leave, after 3 whole months of contemplation. I have made very poor decisions, but it didn't come without truly valuable lessons that I learnt, which I would like to share:
1. Trust your intuition
- always trust your gut feeling. When you don't feel right about something, investigate, then act on it. Intuition is not some magic from thin air that tells you the future, but an instinct created based on past experiences. It is a very useful sense for our ancestors back in the day when they were trying to survive.
2. Don't put anyone on a pedestal.
- we all have people that we admire. Whether they are really influential people or our idols. However, we have to remember that they are humans, and they have their weaknesses just like all of us. It is dangerous when we put people on a pedestal because we are tempted to do their beck and call even if it isn't actually the best way for ourselves. Also, if we realize that they too have flaws, we would be extremely disappointed. Decision making becomes emotional, irrational because of our feelings of attachment to the people we respect. This is all self-inflicted, because it isn't the other party's fault.
3. Happiness isn't about sacrificing yourself for others, but about sharing your happiness with others.
- my previous company has always emphasized on give more than you take, about always giving more to others even when it doesn't benefit you. Until now, I still find that the most meaningful lesson that I've been taught but the hardest to apply. However, I got that concept wrong for quite awhile. I thought that giving more than I took meant that I had to sacrifice my own happiness in order for people to be happy. Not only did this backfire but it also made the people around me miserable as well. The black aura all around isn't very pretty.
- I realized that in order to help others sincerely, we shouldn't be deprived of anything ourselves first. It's like saying we are in debt and yet want to help the poor. It doesn't make sense. We need to help ourselves first before we have the ability to spread the joy to others. Only then would it be a 100% genuine.
4. No one has the right to make you feel shitty about yourself.
- NO ONE. Not your family, not your partner, not your friends, not your mentor. Feeling shitty doesn't mean setting expectations or telling you your flaws so you can improve, but putting you down, saying things like 'I don't think you are capable enough' or 'I don't see you as a leader' or labeling you to be one type of person. If it gets that bad, then perhaps they aren't the right people that you should have in your life.
5. Follow your heart
- don't let the fear of failure stop you from what you truly wish to do. Many people don't dare to take that leap of faith, and thus stuck with a job that they are miserable with, a relationship that they aren't happy in etc, and that's the root cause of their misery.
That being said, I am nevertheless extremely grateful for all the guidance and opportunities that Forte has given me through this period of time. Even if I'm not working there anymore, but the friendships that I have made would be hard to break.
Now, I am enjoying my time a lot more, having time to workout, meet my friends, spend time with my family and just chill out with a book. I'm in the process of starting up my online store, which was something that I truly wanted to do since the beginning. Let the true sprit of entrepreneurship shine!
Stay tuned for more updates. ;)
See you loves,
Theodora
Haven't gotten the chance to craft out a piece of writing to express my feelings and lessons learnt in awhile, and since it's the new year, I think it's the perfect time for me to do so. Should continue making this a habit in 2016, I can practise my writing skills and have a constant review about what's happening in my life.
I officially left Forte after 1 year 10 months. It was a bittersweet but necessary decision.
I have been promoting my company to all my loved ones like it's the best thing in this world, and refused to hear any other opinions of it. I respected my leaders a great deal and was very proud of the culture that was built within the Organisation. Till now, I still am.
It seemed as if I would craft out my whole career there. What was there to lose anyway? The talks of eventually getting the chance to run my own business after getting promoted through the system seemed promising. Also, the willing guidance given by all the owners would be very hard to find anywhere else.
Everything was going fine at first. I was earning very well, got myself promoted and gave me a lot of confidence that I could do the job. I knew it wasn't something that I would be willing to do in the long run, but since I was doing well, why not? Better to gain on-field experience compared to doing essay after essay in school all all over again. I felt like I could do anything, and was very ready to experience any challenge that came my way. However things just wasn't meant to be.
The disillusionment came when the opportunity to do a new campaign, Dominos Pizza came up. Personally, I hated that campaign to the core, because I personally didn't have anyone in my family who ate pizza, and I never ever believed in food coupons. Like who the fuck would buy that kind of shit? The in-store and online promotions were WAY better than the ones on hyphen coupon, and it just didn't feel right with my values.
When I made my feelings known, I was badly criticized for it. I was called selfish, because the rest of the team wanted to move. And that I was too comfortable in my current campaign, and that I was afraid of challenges. My leader is an extremely powerful figure, and I believed every single word that she said about me. So I believed her, and took up the challenge., even if I was still against it.
Long story short, the whole teams income was cut by more than 3 times, results were shit, except for one or two people who truly believed in the product. Things weren't made any easier by the expectations placed on us and the daily reminder that 'we weren't doing well enough'.
My team crashed when we moved into Fast Wax. Everyone had to eat grass because no one was earning. We repeated the same mistake that we did before when we transited campaigns by dumping everyone into it without proper training nor guidance. Perhaps it was due to our arrogance, that we thought that our way was best and that we didn't need to learn from anyone else. At that point of time, it was pretty much one of the lowest points during my time in Forte. My confidence was at an all time low. I almost hated myself. The worst part was having to still put a smile on my face when meeting everyone while doing things that I personally didn't believe in. It was fake, and quite frankly, so painful. However, I still believed that things would get better. Little did I know I was driving myself insane by doing things that was making myself miserable.
This affected my relationships too. I was jumpy at my parents for making only a slight comment about my work. Screaming matches were the norm. I was constantly fighting with my boyfriend and kept insulting him for his ideals. The final straw came when my boyfriend and I had a huge fight and I crossed the line by saying extremely hurtful things. He ended up not talking to me nor replying my texts for the next few days.
I went into full recluse mode. I shut out all opinions from my family and my colleagues alike, and had a period of self-reflection. I have gathered different perspectives, now it was time for myself to make my own decision as to what I think would be best for me. Why was I always so jumpy at my loved ones? We're they really trying to put me down? Or was I just afraid of the truth behind their words? Were my leaders words REALLY the only way to do things? Was I staying because I really wanted to do this or just doing it out of fear that I would fail in life if I were to give up on this career? Because that was exactly how it seemed and how I felt. That was how blinded I was.
Thus, I decided to leave, after 3 whole months of contemplation. I have made very poor decisions, but it didn't come without truly valuable lessons that I learnt, which I would like to share:
1. Trust your intuition
- always trust your gut feeling. When you don't feel right about something, investigate, then act on it. Intuition is not some magic from thin air that tells you the future, but an instinct created based on past experiences. It is a very useful sense for our ancestors back in the day when they were trying to survive.
2. Don't put anyone on a pedestal.
- we all have people that we admire. Whether they are really influential people or our idols. However, we have to remember that they are humans, and they have their weaknesses just like all of us. It is dangerous when we put people on a pedestal because we are tempted to do their beck and call even if it isn't actually the best way for ourselves. Also, if we realize that they too have flaws, we would be extremely disappointed. Decision making becomes emotional, irrational because of our feelings of attachment to the people we respect. This is all self-inflicted, because it isn't the other party's fault.
3. Happiness isn't about sacrificing yourself for others, but about sharing your happiness with others.
- my previous company has always emphasized on give more than you take, about always giving more to others even when it doesn't benefit you. Until now, I still find that the most meaningful lesson that I've been taught but the hardest to apply. However, I got that concept wrong for quite awhile. I thought that giving more than I took meant that I had to sacrifice my own happiness in order for people to be happy. Not only did this backfire but it also made the people around me miserable as well. The black aura all around isn't very pretty.
- I realized that in order to help others sincerely, we shouldn't be deprived of anything ourselves first. It's like saying we are in debt and yet want to help the poor. It doesn't make sense. We need to help ourselves first before we have the ability to spread the joy to others. Only then would it be a 100% genuine.
4. No one has the right to make you feel shitty about yourself.
- NO ONE. Not your family, not your partner, not your friends, not your mentor. Feeling shitty doesn't mean setting expectations or telling you your flaws so you can improve, but putting you down, saying things like 'I don't think you are capable enough' or 'I don't see you as a leader' or labeling you to be one type of person. If it gets that bad, then perhaps they aren't the right people that you should have in your life.
5. Follow your heart
- don't let the fear of failure stop you from what you truly wish to do. Many people don't dare to take that leap of faith, and thus stuck with a job that they are miserable with, a relationship that they aren't happy in etc, and that's the root cause of their misery.
That being said, I am nevertheless extremely grateful for all the guidance and opportunities that Forte has given me through this period of time. Even if I'm not working there anymore, but the friendships that I have made would be hard to break.
Now, I am enjoying my time a lot more, having time to workout, meet my friends, spend time with my family and just chill out with a book. I'm in the process of starting up my online store, which was something that I truly wanted to do since the beginning. Let the true sprit of entrepreneurship shine!
Stay tuned for more updates. ;)
See you loves,
Theodora
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