In a world where account shutdowns and data lockouts seem to happen more and more on these social networks, we need to really be more aware of “owning our own data”. We also can’t help but be responsible for others’ data as well, especially for our friends and other relationships. For years, since the late 1990s, I had been finding …
2020 Year In Review, 2021 “Plans”
Time for the 2020 Year End Review and 2021 Plan. High res image of Mike and Maggie What a year it has been. Year 2020, I almost want to call the inflection point of “AC/BC” (After COVID, Before COVID). And, next year to not be 2021, but to be “1 AC”. Chatting to a friend about our meeting in Spain …
The Question: Scale or Sell An Ecommerce Business
We all wonder, when building up a business, what is the end goal? Build it for the rest of our lives, or part ways with our “baby”. It is true, a business, a brand, become part of our identity. For the first E-commerce Gladiator business, we decided to sell. We also believe the future owner has more funds and more …
Why we still MUST buy from Chinese factories
With the many sourcing challenges being faced by entrepreneurs, many are wondering if there is a need to look for factories other than in China. There were identified contenders but nothing seems to offer as much as Chinese factories can. What do you think this is? Are you thinking of moving to another factory source? Before you do, check out …
Speaking at the East x West Online Seller Conference
East x West, Asia’s Premier Online Conference for Amazon Sellers will be holding its regular gathering of Amazon product owners, sellers and marketers on April 25, 2020. The entire conference will be done virtually by streaming all the live sessions direct to your device. You will have the opportunity to ask speakers questions live as well as participate during the …
Speaking at Work From Home Initiative Online Forum
The Free Online Forum last April 20, 2020, hosted by Work From Home Initiative was a very informative and productive one. We discussed the topic, Post-Pandemic: Defining and Preparing for the New Normal. Really learned a lot from this forum. Here are some grabs: Work From Home Initiative will be hosting a Free Online Forum with the topic, Post-Pandemic: Defining …
Speaking at Global Sources Virtual Summit
The Global Sources Virtual Summit last April 21 – 22, 2020 was a success! The discussion on how to OPTIMIZE YOUR SOURCING in the current uncertain time was indeed insightful. In the summit, we also talked about sourcing masks and other medical devices. So timely and valuable. Here are some of my colleagues in the summit: I’m honored to share …
Back on The Move – Visiting a Hazmat Suit Factory in Wife’s Hometown
Less than a week from being released from quarantine, and back on the move. But to be honest, not able to leave the province (like a US state) so easily due to the quarantine process and health check in each province. So we are sticking to finding and visiting factories in the “neighborhood”. We’re lucky to have Wendy’s network and …
Featured on Fulfillment Bridge for our Loadpipe Group Buy From Factory Startup
Have not been so overworked in a while – I love the pressure. From pressure and hard work comes value and assistance to the rest of the world. During the last couple weeks of building out Loadpipe.com group buy from factory direct website, we’ve linked up with Fulfillment Bridge on their mask trading shipping service. They mentioned us on their …
Last Quarantine Vlog: Will I Ever Be Allowed Back in USA?
Well, this is the last video blog I plan to do under Chinese quarantine. Its Sunday April 5, 2020 as I type this up and tomorrow at 640pm I will be allowed to check out of this makeshift hotel hospital. Coronavirus swab test, Coronavirus blood test, checked the box. Didn’t get issued any results, but guess no news is good …
Drastic Times, Drastic Measures: Mask Trading & Re-launching Sourcing business
My wife has been pushing me for weeks to do this, and I have been resisting. As always, the wife is always right. We need to change our business models and do what is most needed – for the world and for our businesses. I’m bringing back the old Shadstone Sourcing trading business – Shadstone-sourcing.com – and will be focusing …
Quoted in Wall Street Journal: Amazon not accepting inbound shipments
The crisis continues – this time hitting the Western world and distribution. Last month it was about factories being closed and not able to make the product- now it is about Western countries / USA – being able to receive and ship it. Can you believe yesterday, March 17, 2020 amazon suddenly announced it will not accept new inbound shipments …
Company Retreat in Bohol Turned Operation: Evacuation
Writing this up from my hotel room in Bohol under much different circumstances than I expected for our team retreat. Rushing to the airport on Thursday, Marc told me that Manila is considering going on full lockdown. I wasn’t sure if I could make my flight before the lockdown was announced or what would even happen. Flight went like normal …
On “My Worst Investment Ever” Podcast Sharing Biggest Business Failure!
Still on a roll getting the word out online and was invited on the “My Worst Investment Ever” podcast with the amazing host Andrew Stotz to share my biggest business failure. Was a pleasure to be on – and it was a bit painful to share and dig up those memories (and the money lost) – but we need to …
True Passion – Sharing and Teaching People How to Earn a Living
“Back at it” – The Alpha Rock Capital partners have let me loose and to do what my passion is – to share and spread the good word. Alexa and I took a trip to Quezon City (my old home from 2010!) to speak at Ace and Andi Estrada’s Manila Mastermind e-commerce event. A few hundred attendees there, all local …