Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi,

After spending my time working for others for 11 years, I finally gathered up enough courage to decide that I should go out and start my own business.

 

A friend told me before I quit my job, saying that starting up business was not easy. In working for others, I could leave all the company`s problems at the office and spent weekends doing the stuff I liked. I would be looking forward to public holidays and year end bonuses. However in running my own business, he said, first, the problems would stay with me 24/7. Second, I would work harder than I could imagine. Third, there would be no holiday. Fourth, there would be many frustrating moment. And finally, buckets of tears. ^_^

 

Still I decided to try it out despites all the above things he told me (which I had experienced every single one of them in these past few months), I still strongly believe, in the end, the fruits of my hard work, would be all mine to enjoy.

 

So, here I am today, running my own general trading business. While working for others, I had had 4 years of experiences in supplying Hypermarkets in United States. At present, I partner with an old friend and we are entering the market of Middle East (we are lucky that could find each other and become partners). I want to expand my business and that`s why I need more business partners who could manage markets in different continent. Can anybody please share with me what is the best way to look for business partners and where should I try to find them?

 

Thx.

 

Dyen,

Except for the buckets of tears, I`m right there with you having experienced all the rest. Maybe I just haven`t gotten to the bucket of tears yet. Time will tell.

All I can say is be very careful when chosing partners.

First ask yourself, do you really need to grow so spread out? Have you maxed out the growth potential on even one continent? The more growth you can accomplish closer to home the less will be your risk.



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Hi Steve,

Thanks for the input. In my business, the further I go from where I am, the more advantage it would be. The closer the targetted markets, the less advantage I would get because their country might have the same resources as mine.

One partner could only hit certain numbers of distributors even if he`s given one continent. Finding distributors take time and it`s even harder to get the commitment of regular order. So, if I can manage to have several partners in several continents, then my business would be more secure.

The issue now is, how to find the partners?

Dyen

Let me know if you need connection in Russia or in the former Soviet Union. At the moment, I am living in the states, but still have connections in the area, and am fluent in Russian. I also spent 4 years in Israel, and may know a few people that may be of use to you there, as well.

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