New Office? (Part 2)

Selamat Hari Raya!

Taking a few days off now. FI had been at my new office to and fro for the last 3 weeks, overseeing the renovation and moving in of furnitures and everything else to get started.

I realized how NOT EASY it is to go brick-and-mortar. Even though I am bootstrapping and my office is very simple for starters – it took me a week longer than I expected and so much for keeping in with the budget. I ended up spending an additional RM12,000+ on top of my original budget due to underestimation and making some mistakes here and there.

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However I still count myself a thrifty spender already if compared to other businesses that require high 5 or minimum 6 figure RM just to begin.

The 1,054 square feet office is an open work space area with a common area and balcony outside, overseeing Paradigm Mall and the LDP highway.
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I’d like to think of my new office space as a throwback to how MindValley originally started at KL Sentral in 2006 – with some improvements of course.

I am not big about splashing money on all the secondary and tertiary concerns at the moment. Those matter, but only at a later stage. And it’s up to me to grow the business to that level that warrants all the fancy playing.

So… no official logo right now. No fancy carpet (there’s a rug at the common area). No big plasma TV. No huge glass door.

Just going to focus on getting sales first on a company level and hiring a team.

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While the trips to the office and other places to buy essentials took place in the day, I spent many of the nights going to events, gatherings and seminars for networking opportunities to build my connections and also understand the B2B game – to be precise, how the world outside Internet Marketing works.

And then figure how I can introduce my online marketing expertise that I have accumulated over the last 9 years to the tables of my new clients.
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My brain feels muddled and fried now, and I admit to having little idea as to what to exactly do next, other than knowing I have several options, newly built connections and some rough ideas. Yes, this surprised my business associates who know me for a long time as a detailed planner and thinker.

It’s because I am spoilt with choices now that I don’t know which ideas bring the best, optimal results.

Since my office at present is 95% complete – just the installation of the pantry’s cabinets to go – I’ve decided to just continue hustling after the Raya holidays is over. I trust that clarity will get better over time, as it had always been in the past. Certainly beats sitting around doing nothing.

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It so happens that Jeremy Wong (Singapore) and Fukuda Koichi (Japan) happen to be in town so I welcomed my first guests to the office last Saturday. We bounced off some business ideas and got their insights as well.

All in all, exciting times ahead!

SHORT ACTION FILM: HVT Run

I didn’t want to announce this until I was sure it was complete – and here it is! During the Raya season I collaborated with a group of friends to direct and produce a short action film of our own.

Presenting… HVT Run!

Behind The Scenes And Bloopers:

In 2011 and 2012, I made two attempts to put out a short action film for the fun of it. Even though we shot the pre-production footages – painstakingly – they never got past post-production because we were hinging our hopes on one guy to do it… and well… he sucks balls.

That was in spite of working with the likes of Dan Khoo, Joseph Germani and JinnyBoyTV on the second round and at the time, it seemed so surefire that the short action film will be out.

I was upset about it though I know that the opportunity will come again, and I will do it myself when I meet the right group of people and find someone reliable to do the post-production, even if it means paying my way through for a non-profit film.

And I finally did this time!

So in more ways than one, I feel accomplished that the completion of this piece has redeemed me of my past failed attempts, YES!

It’s not without its mistakes but then again, which movie makes no mistakes? Haha!

I look forward to making more like this in the near future, when I am not working. 🙂

PHOTOS: Majlis Iftar PUIM

Thanks Gero Azrul for inviting me as a VIP guest to your event last week in Putrajaya! Truly exceeded expectations as I thought the short notice invitation to be not beyond catching up with other local Internet marketers and having dinner after fasting.

Your presentation on grants to help local online entrepreneurs and a compelling presentation on properties by your guest speaker Ahyat Ishak were amazing! The evening went by too fast.

New Office?

Didn’t think I’d do this… I’ve just signed on and got the keys to my first and new office space in Kelana Jaya!

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I’ve been working as an online solopreneur for the last 9 years. Money and freedom was good, now it’s way due time to bring on the heat!

I had been scouting for a suitable base for the last 3 days. The units at Kelana Square weren’t suitable and I didn’t feel good about them. Then I checked out Plaza Kelana Taragon and after viewing a few more units, I locked in on one of them with the best view from the tower.

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The office space is vacant and unfurnished, however I’m moving in the essentials within the next 1 to 3 weeks to get the show on the road first. That is my main priority.

Right now I’m feeling both excited and anxious.

Excited because there’s HELLUVA lots of opportunities in Internet Marketing just waiting to be seized, and I know I cannot do this alone.

Anxious because this is my first time ever. In fact, for a very long time I resented having a ‘formal’ office.

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Fortunately unlike just a few short years ago, today I’ve got mentors to turn to for advice and there’s an abundance of connections I’ve made in the past months to pull me through the initial stages.

So where will this new venture lead to? Time will tell.