Missing the Gems and Jewellery Show in Bangkok

A year ago, on this date, I was in Bangkok for the gems and jewellery show. This year, unfortunately, due to the immense number of projects and assignments, I cannot be there.

One of the things I miss about the show is the sheer diversity of people and products that it brings together. Although Singapore has its own gem show, it is tiny compared to the one in Thailand.

It was through that show that I started getting ideas to start my own projects in gems. I saw the possibilities and opportunities that the industry holds and how much it could improve in Singapore.

If the gemstone industry takes off in Singapore, it could be a highly lucrative one. That's what I want to work towards!

Well, even though I can't be there this time, I'd like to be around next year.

Here's to a great year ahead!

Roadblock on The Introvert Teacher

Horror of horrors! I just realised that there was an entire chapter that I didn't place in the manuscript of The Introvert Teacher. 

I'm feverishly working through it right now, along with numerous other things I'm working on from other projects, hence the lack of recent updates.

My apologies! I will be back soon with more updates!

As CNY 2016 Moves Forward

For some reason, this Chinese New Year has a better atmosphere than previous years. Perhaps it all comes down to mindset. I'm sure that you've had the feeling of "It's Christmas already?" or "I can't believe it's Chinese New Year again."

When I feel this way, I've found that my mind is usually pre-occupied with concerns and thoughts. Thus, the inability to enjoy the festivities is understandable.

So, extrapolating from that information, perhaps I'm just in a better state of mind this year.

It feels like a cloud has been lifted and things are becoming cheery again this year. I can't say the same for the weather.

This year, it seems that things are moving all around. When waves move, we either catch and ride them or hesitate and miss them. 

I plan to catch them and ride them forward.

Here's to a great year ahead!

Market Research on Gems and Jewellery is Tough

I recently started writing down my thoughts on the market for gems and jewellery in Singapore and I found how difficult it is to do market research properly.

One way would be to look for statistics and consumer data. There are those who say that numbers do not lie, but numbers make my brain hurt, so I'm trying to use as few numbers as possible in my research. 

That would automatically mean that my "report" will be poorly-received by "official" sources because I'm not referencing numbers.

Then again, these are still my own thoughts and observations. I learned what I wrote down by talking to dealers and jewellers, observing customers when they buy and a good deal of internet articles.

So all I'm trying to do is to string these thoughts together in a coherent fashion and study them so I can make some headway in the direction of what I want to do about the jewellery scene in Singapore.

Yeah, it's been pending an update for ages, and I'm nearly ready for the unveiling. It'll take a little while more. Stay tuned!