Meeting Post Thoughts

I think at this point we're not popular enough to compete effectively to a point. We're aren't big enough to where distributors and retailers will be interested in buying several thousand bottles and having exclusivity in the Chinese market. Obviously we'd love someone to buy a ton a bottles, and that way we'd be done with it, but it seems that the market for ice wine is still in its infancy. Affluent Chinese are still uneducated about wine, especially dessert wine. Retailers recognize there is potential but they are unwilling to take the risk. Additionally, I'm a little concerned about our price. We are looking to sell a bottle of our ice wine or 500 RMB for a bottle of 200ml. We are confident that it will sell, especially if we have a partner who has a demand for their ice wine already. But, we need to revamp our strategy.

Quality assurance, security, and the prospect of having a thriving and lasting business relationship is what is ideal for St. Laurent. This is why we would prefer to deal with a single partner in China who shares our vision. But, due to reasons mentioned previously it seems expecting someone to invest heavily is a tad unreasonable. Therefore, we need to make several sales to push smaller shipments into China. It will require a little more research on our behalf, but I feel it may be even more beneficial for us.

The big fish is out there, but we need the right bait. Thus, we need to penetrate the market asap and build the culture of drinking icewine from the ground up. I feel that if we get numerous orders of of 250, 500, and 1,000 bottles, we can make more money in the long run. Additionally, we'll learn much about the business and market, so when we do find that big fish, we'll be ready and not get taken advantage of.

The marketing is everything, but if we can get solid investments, we'll be able to promote our product with greater facility. We need a price list, and we need people to try the wine ASAP. Meetings, pitches, we need to get serious.

Apartments in China

I've been living out of hotels in the last few weeks, I guess its the life of a salesman/hustler like myself. Due to the expenses, I decided to start looking for an apartment in the metropolis of Shenzhen, due to its convenience (an hour from Guangzhou, it borders HK, but its cheaper than HK, etc.). I realized yesterday that the first tier cities of China are not only much more expensive than the second tier cities (like Dalian, where I lived for a year), but their costs are similar to that of Western cities. I saw a few serviced apartments, which were definitely out of my price range. I was willing to make the move, but realized that Shenzhen is such a massive city, that it really isn't so convenient to move around.

Nonetheless, I thought I had found my apartment. It was affordable, in a great location with a local Chinese market, and near Western-style bars. When I visted there were a few things I was concerned about. First, was that there was a lack of AC in the living room. Considering its a fucking sauna in Shenzhen, I was worried. But, there was AC in the room, as well as wireless internet, which is rarer than most westerners would believe. Just as I was about to sign on the dotted line, I saw the bathroom.

Me: Where's the toilet? (looks at Chinese/old world toilet)...Oh

Landlady: You are in china, but you'll get used to it

Me: Hmm, and what are all these buckets with water for, does it flush?

Landlady: That's how you clean it

Needless to say, I'm still in a hotel in Zhangmutou, a small city outside Shenzhen. Believe it or not, it's actually more convenient (and cheaper) to stay here when doing business in the Guangdong area. Besides, I'm hustling way too hard to shit in a hole.

Business Meetings in China

So...people are interested in our Ice Wine. Shit is about to pop off, but the Chinse business environment presents numerous obstacles. A lot of people bitch to us about the price (suggest retail is 80 USD for a bottle of 200ml), even though they are aware that we're selling a luxury product that is not meant to be purchased by everyone. People also want exclusive rights to sell our wine in China, which is worth a lot to us considering how massive the market is. One company even wanted us to pay him 50,000 RMB, ship him an entire container from Quebec to China (on our dime), and give them exclusivity.

So, we don't have any sales as of yet, because as you can see an optimal partnership is hard to find.  Nonetheless, this shit has been fun. In one meeting, the president of an investment firm interested in the wine popped a bottle of 1,200 RMB cognac during our discussion. We proceeded to get FUCKED UP. By the end of the meeting, this guy was wobbling while walking us out.

It's not all great though, especially when you don't know much Chinese. But I can fake it pretty well. It's kind of a weird sensation when a Chinese man is looking at you directly in your eyes as if you understand him. You better not flinch though, and laugh at every joke he says. At a certain point their translator was struggling with her English. Not all was lost though, as they had a French translator because they deal with French wines a lot. My partner is from Quebec, so it allowed the meeting to continue. I, however, speak no French. At a certain point, my drunken self looked around and realized "I'm the only one here who has no clue what the fuck is going on"

A Day Off

Her name is Pam. She is from the Netherlands. I had met her earlier and offered to accompany her around the city. We proceeded to get fucking LOST in HK. We saw several places, took many buses, but mostly, we talked. Her English was great, so she was able to get my horrible sense of humor. Overall, I think I layed my game down flat. That is, until the end of the afternoon. I don't know why, but I didn't make a move. Her eyes were gorgeous, definitely green with a touch of hazel on the inside.

Nonetheless, it's not all over. I have her phone number and she's here for the long haul. I don't know why I assumed I can do better, because if I really felt that way I wouldn't have spent an afternoon with her. Nonetheless, she's in my league and well worth the effort. If only I wasn't so goddamn busy with this business.

As much regret as I have, I must turn the great Juelz Santana at a time like this. MONEY OVER BITCHES

First Day as a Business Man

So, I lose shit easily. Small things mostly, like keys, cards, etc. Before I was certain it was due to the permanent damage being constantly stoned over the last five years, but considering my lack of cheeba here in Shenzhen/Hong Kong, I really must realize that I simply am not careful/thorough enough. Its time to realize that the devil is in the details, and to lose or fuck up the way I have been is not befitting of a 23 year old man. Today was one of those days where I ate bowls of shit throughout the day. I've crossed the HK/Shenzhen border twice, which now makes for four times in three days. I've been to.two banks, as well as Chungking Mansions today. If you don't know what Chungking Mansions is, it is a building featuring several hostels in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong. Before actually making it to your hostel, you have to navigate through several Indians and Africans offering fake Rolex watches and any drug you may desire (at exorbitant prices, BTW).

Anyway, all of these places feature several minutes of waiting in line, which is the one thing I loathe the most in this world. I was running an errand for my partner in HK while he was exhibiting our wines in Shenzhen. This was a great opportunity to see first hand exactly how a trade show goes does. Introducing product, making pitches, making contacts, setting appointments, etc., these are all things I missed the opportunity to witness because I was stuck with all this inane shit!

BUT, all is well that ends well. And my friends, it's looking like it will end well. Our ice wine took three awards, and fortunately, they will be awarded tomorrow. SO, I won't miss the chance to shake hands and get my picture taken, which is really what matters, isn't it?

In the end, there are certain things that kept me through the day. After my bank ordeal, I was sitting in the metro, fearing for my career. At that moment, a man walked in with a shirt that said in big bold letters "EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING". It was exactly what I needed, and I know it was not random. Two minutes earlier, I had prayed to God. I normally just feel better after praying, which is enough of a sign for me that I'm being heard. Hours later, the whole situation was settled. Just so you know, God is listening!

Selfish...

I'm fairly egotistical, selfish, and I get bored easily. The combination of these three characteristics makes me pretty horrible at maintaining a romantic relationship. I feel relationships work if  you are willing make willing to sacrifice yourself for someone else. I feel to truly be in love is to care about the feelings and desires of others and appreciating what you have, never taking anyone/thing for granted.

For me, I think its a matter of mental discipline. If I really want to and I really try, I can make someone else happy. But, when I don't get everything I want, I refuse to appreciate what the person does for me and instead feel like I am settling for a situation rather than striving toward something greater. For example, I love receiving oral sex. It's basically my favorite. So, when a woman does not go down on me I start to feel like I can do better. I start to think that I can find a woman just as good as this one, but who is willing to go down on me. I forget to appreciate that this woman will have actual sex with me, cooks for me, cleans for me, and is willing to put up with my stupid sense of humor.

What I fail to do is address the problem, and instead I just let it destroy the relationship. I never ask for oral, I feel that is kind of a bitch move. I just don't think it's a request or demand that a man should make. I find it much sexier when a woman wants to go down on you. So, when in bed I anticipate disappointment from not getting a blowjob, which ends up affecting the entire mood. Additionally, I get a much better erection if I receive oral sex, which in turn makes sex better for the both of us. But, to tell a girl that just makes it seem like you're scheming on her to suck your dick.

At the same time, allowing this to affect me and not sharing my desires with my partner may be worse. By keeping her in the dark, and continuously acting disappointed when all she does is kiss my ears, I'm setting her up for failure. If she knew why I was disappointed, she can address the problem. She may not suck my dick, because I feel like if its something she doesn't mind doing in the first place she wouldn't be waiting to be asked to do it. But, by telling her I can be (somehow) closer to addressing the issue.

So, it seems that one way or another, I've made my decision. I don't see myself settling, especially with the prospect of spending over a month apart coming soon. But, because I enjoy being with her, I enjoy talking to her, and the guilt that comes with breaking up with some is too much for me at times, I will continue to spend awkward nights with her, contemplating what to do. See how selfish I am?

Praying

I really don't know why, but I've been praying a lot more as of late. I'm not religious, and I definitely am not what I or most others would consider to be a good person. But, I feel like I've needed some guidance, support, or someone/thing to confide in. It's great.

I don't know what it is, but I get a rush across my torso, it's almost as if I feel God.