4 Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Career

I've been working from home since January. While it has only been one month since I officially started on my online fashion business, it has not been easy mentally. The uncertainty of whether you are doing the right thing, and whether you will eventually get there can be daunting. 

I only know a handful of entrepreneur friends and David happens to be one of them. He's so approachable and chatty that there is rarely any awkward silence when you meet him. And today, I decided to visit him at his own entrepreneurial venture, Wee's collection - which specializes in the buying, selling & renting of vintage items from Post War Days right up to the 1970s. It has been a good 1.5 years since he turned this passion of his (since he was 16) into a full-time career and it was a joy seeing the vast collection of vintage items and knowing that it has been doing well. 

Wee's Collection

512 Changi Road, Singapore 419913

The main purpose of the visit was really to catch up and gain some insights into an entrepreneurial career. Four points that I took away from our conversation:

1. Focus - Personally I agree that it is easy to fall into the trap of wanting to achieve everything, especially when ideas start to flow. But, point to self, stay focus. Set milestones along the way. It's easier to direct one's energy and hit one milestone at one time than to achieve everything at one go.

2. Find means and ways to reach out to your target market - Reach out to your audience base using different marketing means, even if it requires you to put in plenty of effort, plenty of legwork and multiple rejections. It will eventually pay off.

3. Be patient - Unless your product/service is out-of-the-world, one-of-its-kind, it takes time to see if it will eventually work out. Be patient, strategise.

4. Network - Network and know more people, both within the trade and people whom you need to know in order to make your job easier. Help them out so that they have a reason to help you in return.

Some sneaks that is really not representative of the collection that he had. Head down to see more ;)

Did you know that bicycles in Singapore used to have number plate?

Thank you for reading.

♥ ZM & Kim

My Favourite Red Carpet Best-Dressed @ Golden Globes 2014

As with each year of Golden Globe Awards, the red carpet fashion is as glamourous as the awards ceremony itself. Here, I've rounded some of my favourite red carpet best dressed.

In my search of the photos, this really funny #jlawphotobomb moment is one not to be missed. This time round, Jennifer Lawrence has done it on Taylor Swift. Definitely brightens up the mid week blues.

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Couture

Taylor Swift in Carolina Herrera

I've come to realise my liking for vintage fashion after watching 500 days of summer (here). This time round, Caitlin Fitzgerald seemed to have nailed the retro vibes better than Zooey Deschanel. I like the combination of vintage and modern elements - how the classic fit and flare goes in a modern fresh blue colour and balanced up with the undone hair, tangerine lipstick and carefully chosen accessories.

Caitlin Fitzgerald in Emilia Wickstead

This is a difficult gown to carry off, but Cate Blanchett looks clean and classic in it.

Cate Blanchett in Armani Prive, Jimmy Choo, Chopard

While I have to agree that Lupita Nyong'o looks gorgeous in the red Ralph Lauren caped gown, I felt that it resembles too much of the Tom Ford gown (here). I, instead, prefer Michelle Dockery's sequined Oscar de la Renta dress with a mullet hem and monochromatic gold pumps. Stunning!

Michelle Dockery in Oscar De La Renta, Bulgari

Thank you for reading.

♥ ZM & Kim

500 days of summer. Love it!

 

I know I'm late to this movie... but, I have to say. THIS IS WAY BEYOND AWESOME.

A really simple plot yet it is able to clearly articulate a story - a story of a boy and a girl. Classified as a rom-com, I prepped myself for a oh-so-cliché plot, thinking that it would make me feel warm and fuzzy inside and go gaga over the male or female leads. Indeed, the casts are worth swooning over. But what really caught me was the plot. Presented in a non-linear, non-fanciful way. 500 days of summer tells a compelling story that people can totally relate to. Really. I'm all in. 

Watch it if you have not. Trust me. It's worth 90 minutes of your time. 

I'm sure I'm going to blog about Zooey Deschanel pretty soon. Her style and her character, it's simply impeccable.

 

Thank you for reading.

♥ ZM & Kim

A&Z ROM loh!

Following the post about how our love story begins (here), aiks and I ROM-ed this week! Depending on how you see it, the date could be interpreted as 1314 (一生一世 in chinese). This, of course, is an unintentional coincidence. haha!

Given a choice, I would prefer to have the solemnisation held together with the ceremonial wedding. But according to a fortune teller, getting married in the year of snake would be better for the both of us. It's better to be play safe and on a bright note, it saves the trouble of having to look for and invite a solemniser. haha!

We deliberately chose a late afternoon slot so that we could have our hair styled and have sufficient preparation time. I did my own makeup and it turned out pretty well! *beams*

We were told to arrived around 20 mins before but waited for more than half an hour to enter the solemnisation room. The point to note, it's okay to arrive a bit later. 

And this is what we do during the spare time that we had...

Mandatory photos with the parents and siblings.

And of course, the wedding rings and the LCD TV screen that broadcast your names!

The face reads, "Oh no! What am I getting myself into?"

There's a phototaking corner inside the building as well!

While I wasn't nervous on the day itself, but the idea of having to change surname and be part of another family does seems a little, for the lack of a word, scary...

Throughout the session, we were asked to hold our hands together and look into each other's eyes. Being together for more than 6 years, this gesture does make me tickled especially since this was done in front of so many people *shys*

 

The process ended in less than half an hour and I'm now officially married in the eyes of the law! Oh no!

Thank you for reading.

♥ ZM & Kim

Malacca Roadtrippin' Part II

Breakfast next morning was settled in our hotel. Marvelux provided an international buffet spread with fairly decent variety which include both Chinese and western selections. Compared to the food we had the previous day, this very much pales in comparison but served its purpose of filling up our hungry tummies.  

We did some shopping at the shopping centers near Hatten Hotel before heading off for lunch at Restoran Ole Sayang. The restaurant was pretty packed by the time we arrived and it was difficult to get the attention of their service staff. However, the really good authentic Perankan food more than made up for the shortfall.

Ole Sayang 
198 & 198, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka

Some of their must try include the Keropok (RM1 per plate) which you can buy a big bag from them to bring home at RM10, Ayam B. Keluak (RM32 for a large plate) and Cendol (RM2.50). Please also try their Sambal Belacan! For someone who doesn't eat chilli, I have to say that it's really worth a try.   

Barley Lime & Cendol

L to R: Ayam Pong Teh (S) RM13, Chap Chai (L) RM19, Ayam B. Keluak (L) RM32

Itik Tim (L) RM30

Ikan Jenak (L) RM80

Udang G. Asam (S) RM40

Satisfied us with big bags of Keropok!

We made one last trip to Jonker street before leaving for Singapore. You get to see a different side of the street in the morning as compared to at night. The reason why we were back there was for the Nonya Kuehs (mentioned here) but was told that they did not open for the day :(

 

We spotted the famous Jonker88 that sells Penang laksa.

This store sells merchandises from the superhero series. I really love the Ironman stuff toy.

We spotted a Mamee museum further down the street. Apart from the dried instant noodle snack packs that we are so used to, they also sell instant noodles that requires cooking. We were amazed. If you walked further in, you will noticed that their well-lit cafe serves as a good photo taking place and if you are lucky enough, you can even go for their little Mamee tour that is FOC!

Mamee Jonker House

No. 46 and 48, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka.

We finished off with a visit to San Shu Gong (三叔公) to buy some local souvenirs. I really liked their durian jam and bought one home! Near to it is the famous Chung Wah Chicken Rice which we never got to eat :(

With that, thank you for reading.

♥ ZM & Kim