Making a bag is a lot more involved than you think it would (or should) be. First, we decide what kind of bag we want ( shoulder bag, backpack, sling bag, etc), and we decide what else it will have to hold, and who we're selling it too. Then I'll do some more research on the market and start sketching away on some idea. Hopefully, we'll decide on one concept that we like and I'll make a packet of drawing to give to our factory to start making samples for us to test and review....this is a long story, so instead of reading about it check out the slide show and factory footage. I think you'll get the idea.
It's a really satisfying feeling to see a drawing you made in Rochester, NY go around the world and get turned into this thing, and then turn into thousands of more things ready to go out into the world. It cool to see, but also makes you realize that you're affecting what is put out into this World, and that you should take the opportunity to make it count.
Side bar: We took a day to visit the factory in China. The factory is in Qingdao, China, which is also the location of the water sport events of the Summer Olympics. So, the entire area is a construction area as the city is trying to prepare. The amazing thing about unlimited labor is that they can do the same construction in months that it takes us to do in years.
We were met at the airport by some of the factory managers, and we all piled into this tiny van and made out way to the factory. Here's a little taste of what it's like to drive there.
(I'm trying very hard to keep the camera still, but between the rough roads and the van with no shocks, it was difficult to do. You also get a new appreciation for side walks and traffic laws)
I think that just about does it for my trip, and Spring is here so I'm sure they'll be lots more to talk about soon.
Friday, April 25, 2008
People are strange, when you're a stranger...
Before I move onto China, I'd like to share two more details of my experience in Seoul that is sure to raise the eyebrow of any God fearing American.
Let's talk about personal space. We all need it. Sometimes it's because whatever you are doing at that given time is an event that should be kept to yourself, and other times it's just nice to get away. Well, I give you this...
Now, not all bathrooms are like this. Many have the standard westernized, Man and Woman rooms, but many if not most are like this. A general bathroom with Men and Women "zones". I didn't encounter any uncomfortable situations myself, but I can imagine some good ones.
Here's another:
There's lots of people in Seoul, and therefor lots of cars. Just like any major city really, but there are no (or at least it there doesn't appear to be) any parking rules. Basically, if you can put park it without blocking the main road, it's fair game. Naturally, you'll have these situations where you're going to get parked in, and in order to get out you have to find EVERYONE who is parked in front of out and ask them to move. When I was told about this "situation" I thought, "how is this possible?" I mean you'd be waiting all day! Well, I also learned that the trick to this is that every one's cell phone number is on the window of their car, so if you need them to move it, you just call. "And they'll come down and move it", you ask? Yes, they do. This happened to us once and I figured we'd be waiting for awhile (like any New Yorker would), but to my surprise the car was moved in a matter of a few minutes! Talk about respecting your fellow man.
Before we move on, please watch the following:
What's going on you ask? Why a rally to drum up support for Son Hak-Gyu! Mr. Hak-Gyu is running for a position in the South Korean Parliament, and he needs your vote. He shook my hand, and I saw into his soul.
My natural reaction was to chuckle at this sight. A group of teenagers dancing in a city market is supposed to be taken seriously? How can they take such a serious thing as Democracy and bring it to the level of a teenage dance party!? Then I thought for about two seconds, and realized America is no better. We just look at things like: if someone is or is not wearing a pin, believes in Jesus, wears boxers or briefs, or inhales. You know, the important stuff. Now, I only wonder what other countries think of us.
Sigh.
Let's talk about personal space. We all need it. Sometimes it's because whatever you are doing at that given time is an event that should be kept to yourself, and other times it's just nice to get away. Well, I give you this...
Now, not all bathrooms are like this. Many have the standard westernized, Man and Woman rooms, but many if not most are like this. A general bathroom with Men and Women "zones". I didn't encounter any uncomfortable situations myself, but I can imagine some good ones.
Here's another:
 |
| From Seoul |
There's lots of people in Seoul, and therefor lots of cars. Just like any major city really, but there are no (or at least it there doesn't appear to be) any parking rules. Basically, if you can put park it without blocking the main road, it's fair game. Naturally, you'll have these situations where you're going to get parked in, and in order to get out you have to find EVERYONE who is parked in front of out and ask them to move. When I was told about this "situation" I thought, "how is this possible?" I mean you'd be waiting all day! Well, I also learned that the trick to this is that every one's cell phone number is on the window of their car, so if you need them to move it, you just call. "And they'll come down and move it", you ask? Yes, they do. This happened to us once and I figured we'd be waiting for awhile (like any New Yorker would), but to my surprise the car was moved in a matter of a few minutes! Talk about respecting your fellow man.
Before we move on, please watch the following:
What's going on you ask? Why a rally to drum up support for Son Hak-Gyu! Mr. Hak-Gyu is running for a position in the South Korean Parliament, and he needs your vote. He shook my hand, and I saw into his soul.
My natural reaction was to chuckle at this sight. A group of teenagers dancing in a city market is supposed to be taken seriously? How can they take such a serious thing as Democracy and bring it to the level of a teenage dance party!? Then I thought for about two seconds, and realized America is no better. We just look at things like: if someone is or is not wearing a pin, believes in Jesus, wears boxers or briefs, or inhales. You know, the important stuff. Now, I only wonder what other countries think of us.
Sigh.
Making Friends
About 80% of what is involved in doing business in Korea, is the relationship itself. Business has a family feel to it, which is quite different to the western view of "business is business". So, a lot of our time spent on the trip was devoted to "growing" the relationship, and by that I mean lots of eating, drinking, and karaoke singing. Pictures don't do it justice, but here it is.
Everyone we met there was very friendly and outgoing. After only a couple of days you begin to feel like you've know these people a lot longer, and I could begin to see how strong loyalty can develop between business parters this way; even if you don't speak the same language.
I know I'm dragging this out, but China stuff will be posted up next and then I'll move along to a new topic.
Oh yea...some Karaoke action for ya (no, not me)
Everyone we met there was very friendly and outgoing. After only a couple of days you begin to feel like you've know these people a lot longer, and I could begin to see how strong loyalty can develop between business parters this way; even if you don't speak the same language.
I know I'm dragging this out, but China stuff will be posted up next and then I'll move along to a new topic.
Oh yea...some Karaoke action for ya (no, not me)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Big City, Small World
One of the "weird" things about traveling in Asia is that you become the overwhelming minority for the first time. Americans joke that "they all look the same", well, they think the same thing about us. Most of the white people you see are European, but every once in awhile you'll run into someone from the States. The whole experience certainly brings into reality how HUMONGOUS the planet is. However, every once in awhile something happens that makes things seem much smaller.
It was decided (for us) that we'd change it up a bit one night and instead of having Korean beef BBQ we'd go for some Japanese beef (both are extremely delicious). For some reason the place where we intended to go wasn't there anymore, but we found another place down a nearby side street. After we had started eating the host/owner came out and started some small talk with us. His English was perfect, so we asked him if he had ever lived in the US. He went on to tell us that he grew up in the States!
Us: "Wow, cool we're from Upstate New York."
Him: "Oh, I lived up there for awhile."
Us: "Really?! We're from Rochester."
Him: "Oh, I went to school there."
Us: "Really?! Where?"
Him: "RIT."
Us/Me: " Holy cow, that's where I went to school!".
Him: " Oh, Wow, Really?!"
Unbelievable.
We talked with him some more and learned that his sister was a Gold Medalist Speed skater for Korea, and he took us to see some of the metals she won. A very cool small world moment.
It was decided (for us) that we'd change it up a bit one night and instead of having Korean beef BBQ we'd go for some Japanese beef (both are extremely delicious). For some reason the place where we intended to go wasn't there anymore, but we found another place down a nearby side street. After we had started eating the host/owner came out and started some small talk with us. His English was perfect, so we asked him if he had ever lived in the US. He went on to tell us that he grew up in the States!
Us: "Wow, cool we're from Upstate New York."
Him: "Oh, I lived up there for awhile."
Us: "Really?! We're from Rochester."
Him: "Oh, I went to school there."
Us: "Really?! Where?"
Him: "RIT."
Us/Me: " Holy cow, that's where I went to school!".
Him: " Oh, Wow, Really?!"
Unbelievable.
We talked with him some more and learned that his sister was a Gold Medalist Speed skater for Korea, and he took us to see some of the metals she won. A very cool small world moment.
 |
| From Food and Fun ... |
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Seoul in 250 words or less
Its taken me a little longer than I thought to sort and upload all my pictures and videos, but I'm just about done.
Seoul is pretty unreal. It seems to spread out forever and anywhere you go is busy. Sort of like Manhattan, but bigger and lots more people. Because I was there for work I only had one day for sightseeing, so its very hard to take it all in, nevermind trying to blog about it. So, it's easier to just show pictures.
Here's a quick video of the changing of the guard ceremony outside the front gate of Seoul Palace.
The most impressive sight was Seoul Palace. It's pretty amazing to visit a culture and city that has literally more than a thousand years of history, with buildings and monuments still standing to prove it. There's nothing that really compares in the US, as we are only a couple hundred years old.
Getting to see those Olympic Gold Metals was pretty cool too, and there's an amazing "small world" story to go with it that I'll include in my next entry. Stay tuned.
Seoul is pretty unreal. It seems to spread out forever and anywhere you go is busy. Sort of like Manhattan, but bigger and lots more people. Because I was there for work I only had one day for sightseeing, so its very hard to take it all in, nevermind trying to blog about it. So, it's easier to just show pictures.
Here's a quick video of the changing of the guard ceremony outside the front gate of Seoul Palace.
The most impressive sight was Seoul Palace. It's pretty amazing to visit a culture and city that has literally more than a thousand years of history, with buildings and monuments still standing to prove it. There's nothing that really compares in the US, as we are only a couple hundred years old.
Getting to see those Olympic Gold Metals was pretty cool too, and there's an amazing "small world" story to go with it that I'll include in my next entry. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Jetsetter (kinda)
Part of the fun of going to Asia is the trip there, right? Actually, I wasn't looking forward to sitting on the plane for the 12+ hours it would take to get from Newark to Japan, but I was pleasantly surprised. The main reason for this was because I got to fly in business class, which I am now convinced is the ONLY way to do this kind of trip. With all the layovers and time in the air it took about 28 hours before we had landed in Seoul. Having access to the nice lounges and being able to lean back in a Lazyboy really takes the edge off of traveling stress.
The airport in Japan was just redone, and done beautifully. The space feels like more of a mix between and airport/resort/5 start hotel lobby, and completely clean. The whole place was carpeted and normally I would expect to see stains, gum spots, and whatever else, but it was groomed and spotless just like your grandmother's living room. The only western "restaurant" in the place was a McDonald's, and it had the longest line of white people next to it that you've ever seen. I'm disappointed that I didn't take a picture, but it was the happiest McDonald's that you've ever seen. Because of the long line, most people had to place there order and then wait for it to be completed. However, the "chef" came out from behind the counter to hand deliver each order with a smile and and bow. For anyone who is used to the usual service at a McDonald's (or any other fast food place) this was an unreal sight. Just my first taste of the Asian culture and their complete dedication to service and courtesy. I'll mention this more later.
So we had some time to kill in Japan, so I got a massage and a couple beers. I really want one of these machines!
I'm still organizing my pictures from Seoul and China but I'll post them in the next day or so.
The airport in Japan was just redone, and done beautifully. The space feels like more of a mix between and airport/resort/5 start hotel lobby, and completely clean. The whole place was carpeted and normally I would expect to see stains, gum spots, and whatever else, but it was groomed and spotless just like your grandmother's living room. The only western "restaurant" in the place was a McDonald's, and it had the longest line of white people next to it that you've ever seen. I'm disappointed that I didn't take a picture, but it was the happiest McDonald's that you've ever seen. Because of the long line, most people had to place there order and then wait for it to be completed. However, the "chef" came out from behind the counter to hand deliver each order with a smile and and bow. For anyone who is used to the usual service at a McDonald's (or any other fast food place) this was an unreal sight. Just my first taste of the Asian culture and their complete dedication to service and courtesy. I'll mention this more later.
So we had some time to kill in Japan, so I got a massage and a couple beers. I really want one of these machines!
I'm still organizing my pictures from Seoul and China but I'll post them in the next day or so.
An American in Asia
Monday I returned home from one of my more interesting life experiences; my first business trip to Asia. Last week I flew to Seoul, Korea where one of our suppliers is based and also did a quick day trip to China to visit our factory. Seoul is an great city with an amazing culture, and China is something that is hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes. It puts a lot of things into perspective really fast. I did a lot of picture snapping, because it was so much to try and take in. I still have to sort through all the pictures and movies, but I'll be posting up more this week, so check back. For now, I'll give you a taste of what a drive to work in Seoul looks like. LOTS more to come.
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