In Singapore people do what they do best to gain attention and say that their product is good, by slandering their opponents. I do not blame anyone but the government and our education.
When we are young when we do something wrong and the teacher tells us that, the first thing we say is never 'sorry' but 'xxx also do this what'. When election polls come, some xxx pple will say 'vote for xxx and you will not get hdb upgrade'. When you go to IT show you will find salesman say 'xxx brand is no good lah, parts all made in china etc' and never 'why my brand is better'. It is our society that build us and I do not need to go thru all 9 pages of this thread to find out.
Everyone who started as an entrepreneur needs to start finding business as a start. This is the most difficult and I know that because I have come through this route although not in the photo industry. When you have zero customers and zero portfolio, the first thing many people will do is to slash price. Like it or not, when a price war starts, no matter product is good or not, some people will buy. But we are not talking about product quality here.
I encourage many youngsters to start their own business even when you are very young and have no experience. Why? Some people will ask. Why not gain some experience while working for people and then start when you are more mature. Yes that can be a way but the advantage of starting young is that you can afford to make mistakes and you do not have financial commitment. You have many years ahead of you so why worry about the first 3 years?
For people who have established their businesses, I congratulate you on your success. But turn around and look back. Do you remember which client gave you the very first chance when you have zero portfolio and experience. Do you remember the client who said 'it is ok' when you made a mistake because your lack of experience and skills. We all gain experience and skills as we grow older and we become better at our work. But do not scuff or look down on people who are starting up their business. They are like you when you started out. Do not be the old fart chinese master who thinks an apprentice must sweep the floor for 10 years before learning the trade. Whatever skills we have we want to pass them on, sometimes not to our kids but the next most talented in line. When I grow old and cannot continue anymore, my company still can carry on. I will pass it to the most talented staff I have in the company.
Remember we all want to be successful but do not take that success with you into the grave. Leave it in the world for everyone to enjoy and for it to flourish further. Make it the next IBM or HP whom have lived past their founders. That in my humble opinion is doing something, contributing to the industry or society.
