I find April’s edition exciting… you can also go to their online version. They have iPhone apps too!

Have a great business week!

Enjoy the compilation.

Then I asked myself, do I want to be the creative guy in the company or do I want to run my business?

It was a constant struggle. After deciding to take the lead in truly running my business, I finally let go of some work processes slowly and carefully. Letting go to people I trust and monitoring them closely, always.

Then strange thing happened.

Once I let go processes that can be handled by staff who are dedicated to see it through diligently, I now have the time to be more creative in the company! It was great! I found extra time to develop the business and be creative at the same time. What a great outcome!

So if you are constantly pressed for time, I recommend you to assess your situation and plan to let others take over some of your detail work. Breath. And then look at your business again and now plan to run it before it runs you down.

Make it work.

There’s this period called “garage” period that all entrepreneurs will go through. I borrowed this “garage” term from a friend who described it aptly.

Like any garage, you would need to manage every single little thing: the cleaning, the tools, the maintenance, the fixtures – you get what I mean.

I just love this period because it is really the exciting part of setting up a business. The adrenaline is the highest here too!

You are simply trying things out. The garage period is really the do-it-yourself period. I remembered mine.

I operated my business from home “garage” for few months – actually it was from the corridors of my in-laws’ living room. I planned my business there and made few cold calls. Not bad returns. Because – very low overheads lah. It was just the two of us and a fax machine!

Then we decided to take it to the next level. Rented a small room at Pasir Panjang Building. It was a no-frills office then. No lifts. No outstanding fixtures but the office came with a very nice view of the port. I just loved the view there.

We did everything ourselves. Carried the sofa, fridge, table and computers up to 4th floor. Imagine no lifts. Very tiring but completely satisfied.

I was the salesman, debt collector, dispatch and office boy.

It was also very difficult to employ anyone. No one knew us or had any confidence in what we can do.

There were many other hurdles to overcome during garage period: cashflow, invoicing systems, facilities… you don’t have much to work with.

But why was the garage period the most exciting part?

Well, things were simple and YOU were the centre of your company’s growth. Everything revolves around what you do or what you didn’t do. You will celebrate every little success (like the successful telephone line installation!). You will also celebrate the simple pleasures of a business deal. Meeting and convincing clients – hoping hard they go with you.

Given another chance, I would go through the garage period again anytime in the week and twice on Sunday.

If you are going through the garage period, savour every moment. It is the beginning of a great journey.

Make it work.