Fate Deals A Hand

Things happen for a reason I believe. There are times when fate deals a hand that results in us finding ourselves in the most unusual of circumstances. When this occurs, we really hope that we end up in good circumstances rather than the opposite.

A case in point ... Ms Chew, I like to call her our 'Group Finance Director' (although we can't afford to pay her a sum that stands up to the title), has been a good friend since my days at Limkokwing Integrated, and has been our accountant from the day we started our first company, That Special Occasion, who now also helps us out with weddingsmalaysia. Then there's Patrick, a uni-mate of mine, who over the course of coffee with Elyse (another uni-mate of ours) and I after an alumni function, ended up taking charge of the Chinese edition of our weddingsmalaysia publication. Who would think that 2 individuals from different parts of my life, with no experience in the wedding industry initially, who eventually met whilst working with me, would then become business partners in a wedding-related company? It has happened, and I am truly excited for them.

It is never easy starting a new business venture, more so now in our troubled economic times. But their newly-formed outfit - Budget Brides - I feel, will be well received, in particular amongst those who have smaller wedding budgets. The concept is a solid one, the motivation is at an all time high. The challenge really is to put the idea in motion and get it off to a good start.

Bonne chance Ms Chew and Patrick! I'll be there to lend a hand when you call.

Photo courtesy of Budget Brides.

New Discoveries And New Ideas

I am one who is always on the lookout for new discoveries and new ideas. Be it on my travels or just around town, I keep an eye out for interesting stores, appealing restaurants and cafes ... you get my drift. The photo on the left is of one such discovery in Phnom Penh - D's Books. I think that the quote says it all really when it comes to travel.

Anyways, I was at Kota Damansara today for meetings, The Strand at Kota Damansara to be precise. I was punctual - I am always on time, but some of the others were running late, thus I had some time to kill. A rather attractive store signage and window display across from where I was parked caught my eye and piqued my interest. So, into kookoobee I walked. Purveyors of 'Home, Fashion, Lifestyle', the merchandise on display were quirky yet chic, some with relatively affordable price tags. For a recently opened establishment, I thought it a pretty good place for those artistically-inclined. They apparently also offer other creative services, so it will be interesting to see how it evolves when all their products and services are rolled out. I shall request permission for a photo the next time I visit and will report on their development in a future post.

Well, I must have been inspired by the find as both my meetings went well thereafter. The 2nd one in particular, which was with Patrick and Elyse, both uni-mates of mine at Flinders, the former also part of the weddingsmalaysia team. A business idea that I had proposed to them some months back has been gestating all this while but I came away from the meeting with a glimmer of hope that it may actually take flight, on a small scale for a start. Am keeping my fingers crossed! If all goes well, I hope to welcome Elyse into the weddingsmalaysia family soon. There is only so much I can do and an extra pair of hands can do wonders I believe.

Photo of D's Books in Phnom Penh.