Investing Smart

May 7, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Some people do think that we make  a lot of money from the store but truth be told we make enough to be tax by the government and not get anything in return.  From HST to taxes and insurance and of course liability for the store and bills and more bills, so there is no way to get rich from having your own business especially when taxes are so high.  From income tax to property tax to business tax and some other taxes inpounded by the town.

Our only way to make more money is to invest wisely, like I told the boss all the time, else – our kid would never make it to college without having a huge debt first.  So we buy  american eagle gold coin  every now and then and keep those coins and resell them when the price is right.  You can never go wrong with investing with gold right? So for those out there – who wants to get rich – invest wisely not just by working hard but by investing smartly.

Filed Under: Business, Money/Investment, Musing, This Wonderful Town, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

Worrying Trends

May 2, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Yes! worrying trends said the town’s chief admins officer – wow! you mean he only realized it now?  HOLY MOLY!  i didn’t have a degree in managing this town but 5 years ago, when folks in this town starting moving away to get a job – i already knew that things isn’t looking really well.  Surely, then he should have done and said something?  no?

Isn’t it a bit too late to start worrying now?  and start looking for solutions for the deficits of this town and where the money is going to come from seeing that there is less property to tax and less business occupancy to collect?   Jeeze ! it sure didn’t take a genius to see it eh?  or did everyone sit in their cloud 9 this long?

Filed Under: Bizarre/Shocking, Business, Random Ranting, This Wonderful Town ·

Building For Sale

April 27, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Yes, another building up for sale but we had thought that the owner was selling it to her niece, so we were quite surprised to see it on the real estate listing. Locality is good and the building is by far the best we’ve seen in terms of condition and only needs a few more  destaco clamps  to work on some areas and it’s ready to be used in any way we want.   Unfortunately, the price is pretty high and even though we can afford it – we are not willing to pay that much for a building and then left with no cash to turnover.

Of course, if the owner is desperate enough, she might consider lowering the price and we can think about it again. But thus far, the building is not as big as we want, so we are not in a hurry to make an offer yet. I figured if we needed to spend as much money, we might as well purchase a bigger location, and then renovate it ourselves to what we want and turn the extra space into a income property.  Lots of potential in other buildings in the town.

Filed Under: Business, Gadgets, Home & Furnishing, Money/Investment, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

She Said I Was Brutal!

April 25, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

So a customer came in today and the boss wasn’t in – but she wanted to leave her computer and the works at the store – to let him check it out – to see if he wants to buy it.  I told her very nicely that we don’t keep customer’s stuff when when are not around ( in case, they accused us of exchanging their things like ram, hard drive and video card) and bad-mouthed us when we don’t even know about it.  I asked her nicely, if she could come back later in which she replied “NO! “  and turned around and called me brutal or rude !

What the hell!!!  I was so nice about it – and the store was crowded, I was serving another customer !  I was dumb – founded – didn’t know what to think !  why do people behave this way ?  you want to sell something to the store – you want my money – why in the world would you behave this way?  You can bet I wouldn’t be paying much when you come back when the boss is in.

Filed Under: Bizarre/Shocking, Business, Random Ranting, This Wonderful Town ·

Parking Downtown Issue Again

April 23, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

So we were visited by a few councilors asking us about the parking issues in our downtown and wanted our opinion about the extended hours for parking downtown.  Most of the councilors were earnest about it – but one was like hmmmm…  well, not really asking for our opinion – more like since I’m here – I’ll just pretend I’ll ask you something serious – so you will think I’m working hard for the town.

Well, even though I’m not originally from this town, I can assure you – I’m far from being naive or stupid, so since the question was asked flippantly I also replied flippantly.  And this councilor can be sure that he/she will not be getting my vote the next time round.  If the town councilors think that the folks in town don’t know who is really working for the better of the town, well, they are in for a shocked the next time it is time for an election.

Anyhow, back to the parking issue of our downtown – I seriously feel that parking shouldn’t be limited and if the town is worried that the employees are going to park where the customers are – they should just inform the business owners to tell their employees not to park in front of their own store and to use the car park.  Shopping downtown shouldn’t be this hard for the customers, who would wanna shop downtown if they have to worry about a parking ticket?  so please don’t make it so hard for the downtown businessmen – make the customers want to come downtown by offering free parking all day like Starrs Road.

Filed Under: Business, Random Ranting, This Wonderful Town ·

Tea Paradize In Downtown

April 20, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Love new businesses in downtown and something that I liked too !  so I’m really excited and have been buying a lot of tea from them.  It’s slowly growing on all of us and they even have specialty coffee as well and I heard the gelato are coming in for the summer as well, now that would be a lovely treat for the kids.

Filed Under: Business, Health, Musing, Shopping ·

New Store New Renovations

April 16, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

So our journey continues, looking for a bigger store to  move into and we have had several options from owning our own store to renting a bigger one.  But all needed some kind of renovation work – the difference is only – whether we have to fork out the money on our own or continue renting from the same landlord in a bigger location.  So I went looking at  replacement windows richmond va  for some prices for comparison – in case we decide to buy a building – which is the preferred option.  But any place that we decide to move needs good windows because we have had experience where the windows are not double paned, we ended up paying a lot in heat and that really almost caused us to close our store one year many  years ago.

So this time, we are going to be very smart, if we do move in anywhere, we are going to have the windows replaced and doors replaced since they are very old buildings and only by doing it the right way the first time, we don’t have to pay and arm and a leg for heat.   A lot is on the table right now and even though I rather stay at this location because of the best feng shui we’ve had in years, it’s a necessity for a bigger store.

Filed Under: Business, Money/Investment, Shopping, The Other Half, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

A Business Opportunity

April 3, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Yes, a building is up for sale and PB is interested in it – so he went for the first viewing and I went with him for the second viewing today.  Apparently there were several parties who were interested in it too but a look at inside the building makes me hesitant because it was not taken care of.  But there is potential and if we had the time and money for some major over-haul then it would be a great project and investment to make.

But as it is – we don’t have a lot of time on hand and we rarely have good luck with carpenters or construction workers here in this town.  Although I’m familiar with new hotels and looking at structural defects, Canada is far different from Asia and the type of contractors I was used to.

Back home I’m a very tough worker, but in Canada I tend to be a lot more laid back even with the employees because over here, they can quit and go on unemployment or sue you if they feel that they are not happy with you.  The unemployment agencies in this province seems to be more for the workers than the employers.

Just yesterday, I was told by our worker that he wished he would have known we are gonna be a few minutes late because he would have brought his meds with him.  We were only gonna be 5 mins late – and he was upset with us?  So if we are gonna be tough on the contractors like back home, they can quit and leave the job halfway ?

Unlike in Singapore I cannot hire another team because there are already so feel contractors  – so yes, to take on this project is going to be quite the heartache for us and a lot of stress I foresee but still it is a good business opportunity and I don’t wanna be a wimp about it and stop PB from buying it.

Filed Under: Amusing, Business, Money/Investment, Musing, Shopping, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town ·

Music Equipment In The Store

March 29, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Well, the boss had finally put in an order for some music equipment to be sold in the store.  Of course, we cannot afford to bring in things like the  mpc renaissance  but we have many things that we’ve ordered for the generic public.  I’m not really sure where he is going to put the drum sets and keyboards that he just ordered and paid for – because the store is fairly packed but if he wants to do it, I am not going to stop him either.  Why?  because there is a little demand for music equipments in this town.  I just hope that we can order more specialized things for those semi-professional musicians and that they are willing to wait for them to arrive as we cannot afford to stock such an expensive equipment like the mpc renaissance.

Filed Under: Business, Entertainment, Money/Investment, Musing, Shopping, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

More Empty Shop Fronts

March 25, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Yes, a lot more empty shop front in the works, a neighbor down the road is applying to move his business to his home because he said it makes no sense to stay on Main since we’ve not only lost the ferry but also people in this county.  Yes, the amount of people that had move away from this town is quite scary and still the provincial government don’t think that the ferry had affected the economy in this town really makes me very worried.

Because of the latest development, I’m kinda weary as to whether we should invest in a business property here, I’m quite scared too if our money is going to go down the drain.  I mean we are doing well now but what if people keeps moving away from this town, who will be left with buying consoles and games and computers?

I know we need a bigger store but do we really wanna put so much money down?  the town hasn’t convinced me enough to want to do that truth be told.  I wanna be able to up and move if things don’t turn around for the town because eventually, it will affect us right?

Filed Under: Bizarre/Shocking, Business, Money/Investment, Random Ranting, The Other Half, This Wonderful County, This Wonderful Town ·

Office Automation

March 16, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Many a times we have customers asking for software for their computers like the   web workflow software  or the powerpoint software and sometimes drawing software.  And as much as we would love to be a one-stop shop for every customers need, there are just too much software out there to stock every thing there is out there.

As a small business, we know that the changes in software’s need is so rapid, so instead of stocking them, we only order them when a customer needs them.  Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to wait for the software to arrive in a few days but luckily, web workflow software can be downloaded immediately through the website, I wished that other software allows my other customers to download immediately with a code, now that would make things a lot easier.  One can always hope that one day it would be so easy, even with a kiosk that sells the software would be great for our store.

 

Filed Under: Business, Money/Investment, Shopping, The Other Half, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

The Town Needs More Action Takers

March 10, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Yes! we don’t need more talkers – we need more action takers.  Talking is easy as we all know – it’s taking the bull by it’s horn that is what we need.  I know that the airport is trying very hard to get something going and negotiating with some people from away, if only everyone is like him that would be really nice.  Please no more talking – some action is much better for this town. I’m tired of seeing the town going downhill and sure people are going tell me why don’t you do something then ?  well, I’m not paid to do something – I’m just a small business owner who is trying to keep the business going for a long, long time to come not just for this year or next year but a lot of years down the road, so that my kid can take over the business.  When someone wants to start paying me for business lunches, business class flights and hotel accommodation – then it’s up to those who are getting all these perks to do something eh?

 

Filed Under: Business, Money/Investment, Random Ranting, This Wonderful Town ·

Music Benefit

March 6, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

 

There is one thing about this town that I admired a lot – it’s the amount of community support when one is in trouble or needs help.  Music benefits seems to be one of the many benefits you see every week in this town – whether it is for raising money for a recent family who lost everything in a fire or a small sick child who needed some spare money for the parents to travel with them to the city to seek medical help.  Auctions are common in these benefits too – but I haven’t seen anyone donate a  Gibson SG Standard  yet – now that would be something to get in one of these benefits if someone would donate a nice Gibson – not just the SG Standard.  But yes, I myself have attended some good benefits in my many years in this town – and have seen some very generous donations.

Filed Under: Amusing ·

Dealing With Irate Customers

March 3, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Most of our customers are great but once in a while – some wake up in the morning without taking their meds and then come to the store and make trouble for us.  We were not in the store yesterday, so poor Gary had to fend for himself.  Customer came in asking for a store credit for something he had bought over the weekend and our store policy is only the boss can do it. Since the boss was sick, Gary couldn’t do anything and instead the customer threatened Gary that he was going to bring his lawyers to sue us for $10K  * slap forehead * .

Anyhow, customer returned today and of course, didn’t kick up a big fuss but I did tell him that we didn’t appreciate his behavior and that there was no need to go after Gary for anything because he was just doing what he was told.  His complains were not relevant whatsoever  and after 13 years in business, we know how to handle crazy people like that.

Filed Under: Bizarre/Shocking, Business, Random Ranting, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town ·

Entertainment Equipments

March 1, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

The other day a customer was in from Weymouth and he said that our store was like a mini – mall, you can find just about anything and we do have a little bit of everything even entertainment equipments like the  dbx  .  Anything to make money like I’ve said before – but I wished the boss knows more about them before buying them because you never really know what to look out for on 2nd hand stuff.  Luckily, we do have a supplier now for these entertainment equipments – so if a customer wanted a specific speaker or amp or powered speakers, we can get it for them immediately. And it does look like we are branching out into more entertainment equipments besides guitars and speakers and amps – we are also thinking of bringing in some high end stuff to cater to the more specific customers.  Wish us luck now.

Filed Under: Business, Entertainment, Gadgets, Musing, Shopping, The Other Half, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

More Inventory

February 22, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Most of our customers are looking to buy racks and stands  when they buy a tv at our store but we haven’t carried a lot of these kind of inventory because we don’t have enough space in the store as it is.  But things may change if we do buy a building ourselves and have lot of display area.  I think I would really like to carry more inventory of these kind because, one really can’t lose a rack or stand because they are of bigger object and not likely to get stolen. Therefore, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to come across a good business building to buy.

Filed Under: Business, Entertainment, Gadgets, Home & Furnishing, Money/Investment, Musing, This Wonderful Town, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

Corporate Lawyers For Small Business Owners

February 8, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

 We met with a friend today who introduced another friend to us during lunch and it looks like he is interested in opening his own business in this town.  Not surprised seeing that the property prices are so low here – and he wanted to pick my brains as to which corporate lawyers he should use.  And since ours is a very small town, I don’t really know if anyone here does just corporate law like the  corporate lawyer raleigh nc  a firm that I’ve read about recently.   So I told him that I would check with the spouse as we don’t use one ourselves since we don’t have huge liability like what this guy wants to do.  But he is right, every small business should retain a corporate lawyer just in case.  I might have to run this by the spouse soon and ask him what he thinks about it.

Filed Under: Amusing, Business, Money/Investment, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

Student’s Lunch Downtown Van Not Approved

February 1, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

So the van take takes passengers around town everyday is now deemed too dangerous for student to be on – to go downtown for lunch.  The board or the school does not approved of this kinda van it seems * roll my eyes*  really ????  I can’t believed that the school board is making it hard for the students to leave and take their lunch outta school.  What is next now?

Did the school know that these students order their pizza and they get delivered to school?   Either way, they are not going to be stopping anyone I am sure and in my humble opinion – I think it’s safer to take the van – and definitely much more time effective for the kids.

Filed Under: Bizarre/Shocking, Business, Random Ranting, This Wonderful Town ·

sexual harassment in the office

January 24, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Ahhhh..! sexual harassment in the office, the subject that folks do not want to talk about and know little about too.  What is considered a sexual harassment in the office and why you must speak up if you feel uncomfortable about insinuating remarks or when someone touches you in the office inappropriately.  And what about you?  what is the fine line from a joke and making your co-workers feel uncomfortable?    Some people may not know that men can also feel that they are harassed by their female co-workers or bosses too – and it’s not just the women that can be sexually harassed these days.   To find out more about sexual harassment in the office find sexual harassment lawyers San Diego  for more information, especially if you are currently being sexually harassed and don’t know what you should do.

Filed Under: Bizarre/Shocking, Business, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town, Useful Links, Useful Tips ·

Back In Its Hay-days

January 15, 2013 · By · Leave a Comment

Back in the hay-days, Mr Leonard`s looked quite the flourishing business but some 4 years after he died of heart problems suddenly, the building was left closed up and no one took care of it.  It doesn`t look like this anymore of course and it`s quite a shame truth be told.  We were interested in buying the building but a check with our carpenter, it looked like there were more damage inside and outside and on top where the roof is.  He cautiously predicted a renovation of up to $100K no less.

So even though the people who owned the building were very reasonable in asking for the said price, it would mean that we would have still overpaid for the building in the end.  Plus with not much reliable contractors to handle such a huge job, we figured we better hold off on offering any money for the building.

We are quite disappointed if you asked me – but I`m not into buying a building that needs that much repair, no time and don`t want to be in such a project.

Filed Under: Amusing, Business, Money/Investment, Shopping, The Other Half, This Wonderful Town ·
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