Today was the first long day after a couple of weeks of less intensive work. It's gonna be a hectic two weeks coming up. No time to blink!
Entrepreneurs from Other Countries
Over the weekend, I met up with a couple of gem dealers from Sri Lanka. These were different dealers than the ones I met with earlier in April.
While they were mainly here on holiday, they also brought stones because they have clients in Singapore. We got to talking and they told me of the differences in culture between our countries, as well as how differently our countries are run. We discussed the high cost of living here as a trade-off for the safety and security.
They told me that they started their business in gem dealing when they were about 20 years old, which, to me, is particularly remarkable.
If I think back, what was I doing at 20 years old? What are Singaporeans doing in general at 20 years old? In the army (for the guys), in university, or just starting in their first jobs. Yet, here are 2 entrepreneurs who started their business at that age. A number of years down the road, they aren't making millions yet, but they are making a good enough living to be able to travel frequently and live comfortably.
They aren't the first entrepreneurs I've met from other countries and they certainly won't be the last.
Perhaps their need to 'do or starve' is a driving force behind their hard work. Perhaps they are simply willing to try new things, whether they fail or not. Perhaps they aren't cloistered in their thinking that the only way to survive is to get a 'proper' job and work for the rest of their lives.
Isn't it strange that we have such an incredible economy but such a weak entrepreneurial scene? Perhaps we have it far too easy.
Networking for Introverts
On Thursday, I attended a rather curious event. It was a networking event for introverts - a special one, because it was the third anniversary of the network. Needless to say, there was endless joking about how introverts and parties seem an unlikely combination.
For me, it certainly caught my attention and made me even more enthusiastic about attending. I'm glad I did.
I met the host, Mervin Yeo, and he told me that he has been in business networking for 16 years. As an introvert. Wow. You really have to enjoy it to be in it for so long.
Apart from Mervin, I met a few others. One of them, it turns out, is about to launch a co-authored book titled Because I'm Introvert I Triumph. It's a collection of stories from introverts who have used their traits to aid in their success.
When I told him that I am also an author, he very kindly said that he wished that he had met me earlier and that he would like me to contribute to the future editions of the book. Well, there will be a book launch of Because I'm Introvert I Triumph on the 25th of May. Pretty exciting stuff. You can be sure that I will be there.
So networking is a new game that I just got into, having never seen the appeal or need to do so before. I think I'll study it a little more before I get in deep. Isn't that just the most stereotypically introverted approach?
Loot from Another Book Sale
On Sunday, intending originally to go to an exhibition at Singapore Expo, I ended up at another Book Sale by MPH.
The thing about MPH book sales is that they don't exactly advertise them widely, so I tend to get there rather late. This time was no exception. By the time I walked about half the hall (filled with books of all sorts), it was nearly time for them to close the hall for the day.
Well, I still got a pretty good lot of books, one of which was fiction (surprise!). It was titled The Bees by Laline Paull. The reason I got interested in this novel was the fact that it was scientifically accurate. The author had obviously put in a good deal of time and effort to get her story lined up with science. That, coupled with her engaging writing style, got me binge-reading it. I finished it in less than 24 hours and I was pretty impressed by it.
Without spoiling the story, the setting is in a hive - a bee hive, obviously - and the characters are mainly bees, as well as other creatures like wasps, spiders and the like. The main character was a bee called Flora 717 and she (all worker bees are female) had quite a life due to her unusual nature.
The hive was run much like a totalitarian regime, with police and priestesses. The story explores societal classes, fanaticism and prejudice, as well as kindness, courage and community. Perhaps the insect world is not so different from ours after all.
