I’m all about the new movement in life, flexible workspace, couchsurfing, community, social media, minimalist. I don’t think I am crazy, I just think I am maybe a more early adopter. I have stated I’m fully embracing couchsurfing And What is it to OWN an office? To own full time workers in a full time office? Or hotel renting in …
Happy Mothers Day! Miss Mom and Nana!
You know whats the hardest things you sacrifice when doing business overseas? Some may think the hardest things about doing business overseas would be language, culture shock, risks of not knowing people as well as your hometown / country…..nope, by far its the separation from your family, especially your mom and dad. The connection you have with your mom – …
Shenzhen Chinese Ecommerce Meetup, Google China Here
In 2010 and even more in 2011 I’ve been organizing twitter meetups and getting more professional with ecommerce meetups. As I’m doing these, been doing a lot of hyper networking, and met the “Chinese side” of the Shenzhen ecommerce meetups and was invited to one, without too much notice of where it was, who it was by, when it started, …
Another Reason We Need to Appreciate Every Day We Are Here
Read today about a blogger, Derek Miller who planned his last blog before he died of cancer. How fragile life is, how short life is. He reflects on his life and states he is no longer afraid of death, he has accepted it. Reading it cant help but make you think how you should appreciate your time on this earth. …
10 Startups Compete – Hong Kong Pitch Event at Bloomberg Offices
Sometimes I feel like its a reality tv show, heck maybe it will become one. Many of my friends abroad as well as in Shenzhen wished they could have attended today’s pitch event in Hong Kong, but because they couldn’t, I’m doing my best to blog about each startup, quickly below: There are ten startups here in Hong Kong, competing …
Issued Another Lawyer Letter, Part of Doing Internet Ecommerce Business in China
Just another day in China, I got a scanned letter today, it was hand delivered to my Florida, USA address. I’m not going to say I’m getting cocky that “nothing can happen to me, I’m in China” attitude (though many of my Chinese friends seem to think they are immune to US law), but I am getting a better understanding …
Do Tech CEOs Need To Be %@#$@^& to Succeed?
Again, unfortunately, I’m reading more news supporting the fact that “nice guys finish last”. This article I read, Why Are Tech Founders Such Assholes? (Gawker), points out the negative things famous and successful businessmen have done in their career to get ahead. Sure, you can spin things in different ways, and life is always about perspective. There is that saying …
Not All White Guys in China Are Rich!
Bet that title got your attention! But it is true, so many Chinese people see a white face and think he/she is rich. Maybe its culture, maybe its tradition, maybe its how In this post I put a statue I just saw recently in China, a fat Chinese guy. I’m told that a fat person in China means: Rich Happy …
Always On Call: Weekend Delivery – New China Warehouse Client!
Thats the thing about small business, YOU ARE ALWAYS on call. I am trying to get on somewhat of a schedule between Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, but life of a traveling salesman / social media dude (aka ME) life is anything but predictable and schedule-able. This blog of mine has intertwined my personal and business life – But GOOD …
Spending More Time on my Chinese Blog, mailini
I should cross promote the two blogs more, not sure if people even realize i have this blog translated to chinese. When I first came to China at the end of 2007 my good friend, Gao Xing, gave me my chinese name, mai li ni , which is a best effort to convert my family name, michelini, to a chinese …
Return of the Geeks, Have Their Fun Later in Life
I consider myself always as semi geek, semi cool…..I played on both sides when in high school, and learned to be flexible and deal with many personalities. I am not afraid to make fun of myself, maybe its a sign I’m getting old! I also blogged about how us “social media” online people are a bunch of nerds! There have …
Choosing Not to Make a Decision is Still Making a Decision
Spent last night making USA calls, to suppliers, clients, accountant(s) (yes, I work with 2…), trademark attorney, parents, and tried to catch some friends. Just this time difference (12 hours ahead here in Beijing timezone) makes it harder and harder to stay in touch with my friends on the other side of the globe. I have been in Asia almost …
Cannot Give Up, Cannot Forget The Long Term Idea
This is what i am constantly saying in my mind each day, over and over pushing myself, “don’t give up, think long term”. i got a question in ecommerce section of allexperts.com today, a guy asking me which products are most profitable to sell online…..today’s question was: There is a question waiting for you in the category of “E-Commerce, Web …
More Shenzhen Coworking Developments, Finding my Personal Strengths
Added Guangzhou to my weekly travel the past couple weeks, due to the Canton fair. Back in Shenzhen today, at least all these trade fairs are over now. It is just added that much more stress and complexity to my daily work life. After spending Sunday (Easter Sunday!) walking the fair with my good friend Brent, he helped bounce ideas …
Happy Easter from Hong Kong, then Guangzhou
Writing this Saturday evening (Holy Saturday) in my small apartment in Hong Kong. Making it an early night, and a relaxing night…I’ll be waking up around 7am tomorrow, Easter Sunday, and heading up to Shenzhen Bay border from Tin Hau CTS bus to meet up my friend Brent. I’ll catch a ride with him to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou. …