January was nothing short of hectic. While I managed to keep up with everything, the workload has been the most intense since I started my own business. This was especially challenging as I had to juggle CNY activations for the bubble tea shop while wrapping up tasks for JTCM before the holiday break. It was a relief to finally take five full days off, but it required many late nights to make it possible.
I'm proud of how I kickstarted the new year by attending numerous networking events and interviewing almost 10 candidates for a part-time shop staff position at my bubble tea shop. I'm becoming more adept at asking the right questions during interviews and clearly defining the qualities I require in new hires, which brings me peace of mind as they start working at the shop.
In addition, I've taken on a new teaching role this month. While it's only a part-time commitment with one lecture per week for a short elective course, adjusting to the new system and dedicating time to prepare two-hour presentations has been draining. However, pursuing this role aligns with the objective of pursuing my EMBA. I am hopeful that more educational and speaking opportunities will come my way this year, despite the current workload.
iii) Exploring New Ventures as a Busy Entrepreneur
i) Launching Branded Merchandise for CNY Activation
I wasn't planning on having such a large activation for my bubble tea shop in January. It was primarily because we couldn't finalize a collaboration in time. However, I knew that CNY is a significant event that we couldn't afford to miss. As a result, I decided to introduce a brand-new gashapon awards system for our customers. With a qualifying drink purchase, they had a chance to win our branded tee, bucket hat, or phone strap.
Designing the items wasn't too challenging or time-consuming. The real stress came from managing the product logistics and worrying about timely deliveries. I couldn't have pulled it off without the invaluable support of my staff. They are always there to assist me in creating new items and are enthusiastic about helping me bring these ideas to life. Ultimately, they are the true salespeople at the shop, and I depend on them to successfully introduce new offerings to our customers.
In the coming month, I plan to interview several more candidates to hire two additional part-time staff members to ensure our shift roster is always fully staffed. Simultaneously, I aim to explore opportunities to work even more closely with my longest-serving staff, hoping they can contribute to other aspects of the business. Stay tuned for updates!
ii) Getting Back into Networking Opportunities
One of my main focuses this past month has been reconnecting with my community through networking events. In addition to participating in the Transpacific Entrepreneurial Conference hosted by Cancham, I had the opportunity to catch up with my Quantic Hong Kong Alumni peers, congratulating each other on our graduation. It was wonderful to meet new individuals, share about my work, and introduce them to my bubble tea shop.
I have achieved my lead generation goal for this month, but the real test lies in seeing how many of these leads will convert. Hard work does pay off, but I am cautiously optimistic, given the challenges I faced in the past year. Nonetheless, I am hopeful for better days ahead! If things go as planned, there are exciting projects and collaborations on the horizon that I look forward to sharing soon.
iii) Exploring New Ventures as a Busy Entrepreneur
On top of everything else, I attended a conference hosted by HKTDC to evaluate how well I am aligning with the 2025 content marketing trends. Additionally, I took a leap and submitted a brand-new project proposal for funding for the first time. While my proposal was rejected this time, the experience was invaluable. I appreciate the panel's kind remarks on my strengths and am committed to diligently addressing the weaknesses in my plan.
Overall, I wish everyone reading a wonderful new year and hope that you can maintain your momentum. It's not easy, but I believe that we have overcome some of the toughest moments, and now it's about consolidating our past learnings and applying those insights.
In 2025, my goal is to continue growing my business, whether in content marketing or the bubble tea sector. While I often question why I dedicate so much effort, I consistently remind myself that I am privileged to do what I love. Even when faced with failures and challenges, not everyone has the opportunity or courage to even try. So, if there is a will, let's demonstrate that there is always a way!
Joyce
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