There is always a reason to start your own business. Independence, being your own boss, financial gains.
I agree that all of these are important rationales in wanting to own a business.
The main reason I want to be successful is to be able to take care of my family, my current and future one. My parents have taken care of me through now and I want to build something in order for me to take care of them as they get older. They think I am gambling my future away. I'm not. I trust in my business sense, my intuition, and myself. But even if I were, I'd wish they would realize that for them, it's worth it.
The worst thing my mother ever said to me was this. "How can I trust you to take care of me when I'm old"? Yes this is a rough translation from Chinese and she said it in the heat of an argument. But I don't think she realized how hurtful this one sentence was to me. I flipped a table, smashed my TV, and just broke down and cried. How could she say something like that to me? She came up to apologize, realizing what she had said. But it hurt so badly. I think about it to this day. Maybe she didn't really mean it but if she had that in her mind to actually say it out loud... what kind of son am I that the thought of not taking care of her ever crossed her mind? I actually tear up every time I reread this. Everything I do is for my family. Making money off yu-gi-oh and nursing so my parents don't have to worry about me. Putting money away for my car so my parents wouldn't have to chip in. Saving here and there to give some cash to my sister so my parents don't have to.
I am doing this for my family. I want to be able to make enough money at something I enjoy so that I can live a long life while being able to take care of my family. Working as a nurse in Southern California did not make me happy, almost depressed even, and it certainly didn't allow me to save money fast enough to take care of my family in the next 5 years. With my sister's college tuition and car needs mounting, and my parents' retirement age impending, I feel like this is a calculated and necessary risk that I must take on for the greater well-being of my family. Maybe this sounds altruistic. Who doesn't want to make money for themselves to spend? But the truth of the matter is that no amount of money can make up for my family and starting this business can allow me to hopefully have the best of both: money to take care of me and my family, doing something I thoroughly enjoy.
-Wilson
Monday, August 26, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Does service matter?
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. –Arthur Ashe
Wow, it has been almost been two weeks where I haven't posted. I have been very busy at work (and also took a few days off to celebrate my birthday!) and now I can finally write about a topic I think is very important. SERVICE.
When I ask my friend's opinion, most of them say this. I come here for the good food and/or cheap prices. That's it. They also think that good service equates to higher prices. Why? Why do people think that good service has to go hand in hand with high prices? Why do I have to put up with the waiters who don't give a rat's ass at a local establishment just to get decent food? Why do most only expect great service at an expensive sit down hoity-toity French restaurant? I think that great service should be had at any level of eatery, regardless of price and location.
How many times have you had a chance to go into another restaurant or cafe but end up going to your usual spot? There are plenty of reasons but one is service. They greet you with a cheery "good morning!" They remember your name and your usual order. They make you feel comfortable and at home. This is a great feeling and definitely something that should be done more of.
I think there are a few reasons that there is a lack of service in certain places.
1. Under compensated employees: It's hard to have your staff be very friendly and enjoy working if you do not pay them enough. If they are overworked and underpaid, then you will not get the best out of them. This also leads to high turnover which in the long run means higher expenses related to more training and decreased customer service.
2. Ineffective management: First it's important for the management to look for employees who are the right fit for their job. You should not look for great quality service from a very quiet person who you hired to be a waitress. It's not in her nature to be cheery and talkative with the customers. Maybe she can change, but with all that work and talk, you might as well have hired someone else who fits your needs in the first place.
Secondly, a lack of proper training and discipline by management can lead to future breakdowns in service. That is why companies should have a strict service goal to make sure that all employees know how to treat and interact with customers.
I think great customer service plays a major role in returning customers. It makes the environment more pleasant for everyone. Another side note I want to talk about is the importance of the staff getting along. It is important that the staff treats each other with respect and dignity because this leads to teamwork and strong flow in the restaurant. Having that sense of family and comradery leads to more effective work and improves morale, which indirectly leads to better customer service. A happy employee is one that will do their work more effectively and efficiently while treating customers well.
Without the employee, the store owner has nothing. That is a point that many people seem to lose track of but I will always remember.
-Wilson
Wow, it has been almost been two weeks where I haven't posted. I have been very busy at work (and also took a few days off to celebrate my birthday!) and now I can finally write about a topic I think is very important. SERVICE.
When I ask my friend's opinion, most of them say this. I come here for the good food and/or cheap prices. That's it. They also think that good service equates to higher prices. Why? Why do people think that good service has to go hand in hand with high prices? Why do I have to put up with the waiters who don't give a rat's ass at a local establishment just to get decent food? Why do most only expect great service at an expensive sit down hoity-toity French restaurant? I think that great service should be had at any level of eatery, regardless of price and location.
How many times have you had a chance to go into another restaurant or cafe but end up going to your usual spot? There are plenty of reasons but one is service. They greet you with a cheery "good morning!" They remember your name and your usual order. They make you feel comfortable and at home. This is a great feeling and definitely something that should be done more of.
I think there are a few reasons that there is a lack of service in certain places.
1. Under compensated employees: It's hard to have your staff be very friendly and enjoy working if you do not pay them enough. If they are overworked and underpaid, then you will not get the best out of them. This also leads to high turnover which in the long run means higher expenses related to more training and decreased customer service.
2. Ineffective management: First it's important for the management to look for employees who are the right fit for their job. You should not look for great quality service from a very quiet person who you hired to be a waitress. It's not in her nature to be cheery and talkative with the customers. Maybe she can change, but with all that work and talk, you might as well have hired someone else who fits your needs in the first place.
Secondly, a lack of proper training and discipline by management can lead to future breakdowns in service. That is why companies should have a strict service goal to make sure that all employees know how to treat and interact with customers.
I think great customer service plays a major role in returning customers. It makes the environment more pleasant for everyone. Another side note I want to talk about is the importance of the staff getting along. It is important that the staff treats each other with respect and dignity because this leads to teamwork and strong flow in the restaurant. Having that sense of family and comradery leads to more effective work and improves morale, which indirectly leads to better customer service. A happy employee is one that will do their work more effectively and efficiently while treating customers well.
Without the employee, the store owner has nothing. That is a point that many people seem to lose track of but I will always remember.
-Wilson
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