Arlanda Airport, Sweden. My first trip on business that is likely to change dramatically my economic state has already begun.
The first feeling when leaving the gate is nostalgia: I had to leave Sweden for a month ago to return to my mother-country and that was a painful parting. Who on Earth could divine that I would return to this land of red houses and deep lakes so soon?
But here I am. Equipped with a suitcase, a driving licence and something like $400 - all that for 24 days in one of the most expensive countries in the world. Anxious? Yeah. Frightened? No.
I have accepted the challenge of finding partners in Sweden, namely fabrics producers who would like to expand their sales and come to the Russian market - and the first step was to colllect the data. Ok, Google.
Seven producers located in different parts of the country. Wow, that's going to be quite tough.
Then - the next step. A stylish high-quality presentation of the Russian company looking for partners abroad. Another four hours and the problem is solved, the company is rebranded and the conditions of partnership are settled. I wanna boast a bit of my work :)
Then - getting in touch with the producers - and the first hinder. I get a response from one company only out of seven - the other six seem not to check their mail at all. Well, okay. Let's begin the negotiations.
The company that has answered to my e-mail turns out to be one of the biggest fabrics manufacturers in Sweden, but still there's a problem: they want a 100% prepayment and they don't produce textile with some pattern at all. That's not really cool but I have no other option than using all the chances. So, we make an arrangement about meeting on September, 14. That's going to be funny as they're located quite far from the place of my current occupation so I'll get some nice driving experience and spend quite much on the fuel.
Cold calls. The thing that I hate though this is a necessary part of finding business partners. Luckily enough I have a friend here in Sweden who can help me with this tough task.
Every time I have to speak Swedish or English to people I have never met before, I get some kind of panic attack and both grammar and pronunciation buzz off. As a result an ordinary phrase "Good afternoon! I represent a Russian textile reseller" becomes something like "God afternoon! Ekhm. Good afternoon! I representate, no... represent a Russsian textile... fabrics! textile!!! seller. Reseller. Dayum". My speech becomes more or less understandable after the third phrase - not earlier than that and the first impression is awful.
Source: to tell the truth I have no idea who was the author of this meme so I see no use in adding a link here to the website where I've found it. But it represents my emotional state after every call abroad.
Well. The process of finding partners is in full swing and there's so many things yet to be done. Driving car to some remoted small towns, speaking to managers and discussing the partnership, taking samples home and finding the first clients in Russia, I must say that this is a very important experience for me personally (espessially after the failure with my own business) as it provides me with some necessary knowledge in negotiating and marketing, you know.
Still the fact that I am now an agent for a Russian company doesn't mean that I am going to give up my attempts to start my own successful business - by no means. And my trip to Sweden is a chance to make my mind about the category of goods (or services) that I would like to bring to the Russian market.
Source: Gravity Falls
So, guys, I must say that when Life presents you a new hardblow - that's just a kick for you to go on, to think over something new. One closed door opens a dozen other doors that you've never noticed before. So, accept the knockdowns as a necessary thing when looking for your vocation.
Good luck, friends!
I wish you to find your place in life!
Anastasia