It’s like tip toeing through a minefield
Troubled times
I have been lucky.
The job I have is more frustrating than it is challenging. Few if any staff benefits, together with zero chance of career advancement and development opportunities.
But I am still employed.
The money that’s still needed, is deposited into the bank every month and as long as I bite my tongue and keep my head down, we will be OK. Which is more than can be said for many in these troubled times.
As often as I think about it, I have to remind myself just one of the reasons why working for oneself is not always what it is cracked up to be. Besides the ever present uncertainty there inevitably comes a time in every growing business, when you have to start making compromises. Times when you start to wonder why the hell you ever got yourself into the situation.
Obstacles, challenges and problems which can never be anticipated.
More often than not, complications which begin to surface once you start employing others to do the things you no longer have time or the skills you need. The point at which your needs, the needs of the business have to be tempered and watered down to accommodate ‘others’.
When clarity and singular purpose is superseded by the need to communicate, to share and grow relationships. Never an easy transition.
Reason to think twice about making the jump? Maybe not.
Few ever listen and those that do will never know. Something I would probably do all over again. But once bitten an experience that makes a good argument to continue looking for that elusive alternative.
A reason to hang onto what I have for now. Whilst I build from home brick by brick . No staff, minimal overheads and a recurring monthly income. The perfect business.
Mystery Diners
If you eat out regularly and like the idea of someone else picking up the tab consider getting involved in the The Food Route.
Village franchise
Thailand supports a plethora of small local business brands and franchises. In every village no matter how quiet and rural the chances are that you will find a coffee kiosk and if not coffee, tea. And generally it will be one or other of the branded franchises no one else has ever heard of.
The coffee culture in Thailand started emerging in the early 2000’s. At a time there were very few if any coffee stalls, there were no boutique coffee shops and hardly any of the glossy corporate chains.
If I am not mistaken there was Black Canyon. But that was about it. Today it is a very different story.
There are coffee stalls and kiosks everywhere. Amazon coffees have sprung up like mushrooms at PTT petrol stops. And they are being followed by the likes of Inthanin and others. The market has quite literally exploded into a coffee culture that is uniquely Thai.
Uniquely Thai in that the franchise concept has filtered right down to the micro business level with Mom & Pop running their busiess from home. It is not just coffee and tea either. There are franchise options for noodle carts and the sale of fresh meat.
Franchising is recognised as a business model that works for both the franchisor as well as the vendor.