7 months of almost zero customers and only tiny sales - definitely not enough to even survive on. Pure Thai Natural Co Ltd is still here and still in business, thanks to my #Hive blogging habit and a few forward thinking generous friends & customers who either pre-purchased an order they will pick up in 2021, or who out and out sent us a "hang in there" cash gift. Thank you. This entrepreneurial mama has almost wept with gratitude on many occassions. And I've become incredibly adept at making do and cooking rice & beans.
I have envisioned the influx of orders and the return of customers often, but clearly these are unchartered waters and the return to business and the re-opening of Thailand is proving to be somewhat of an endurance sport.
As I've been chatting with other entrpreneurs here in Chiang Mai this last week, I've become acutely aware of some things that we all NEED to understand in order to all gently move back towards some level of employment and resolving the Covid-induced financial debacle, as we have the festive season incoming.
The biggest thing to grasp? Change was needed, 100% reliance on tourism and foreigners for income is/was STUPID and it's NEVER going to go back to what it was.
In Chiang Mai we are suddenly seeing a resurgence - new Thai businesses opening everyday whilst the old-time expats mourn the loss of yet another "farang" (western focused) business. Personally, I think it's healthy, despite the anguish this Covid journey has caused me and many of my friends, some of whom will have to leave Thailand because without a viable business they no longer meet the income standard for business or long stay visas.
So what especially do we need to grasp, as consumers & customers, as entrepreneurial businesses reopen?
- Most businesses are coming our of Covid with heavy debt. Us? We're 7 months behind in rent and also currently sidestepping our 2019 tax liability which we needed to pay during lockdown. It will acrue interest until we pay it. 😭
- When you make a custom order, it's likely the business does not have the cash to MAKE your order without a substantial deposit. The days of Cash On Delivery may well be over. If you are ordering from a small to medium enterprise, PLEASE offer to pay up front, to at least offer 60% of the order value as a deposit.
- Many businesses don't have their normal inventory. So appreciate that the 24-48 hour turnaround for an online order may not be possible. Be generous. Give them a week before you start emailing or complaining.
- Be aware that many businesses are reopening with perhaps only 25% of the staff they had before, whilst trying to deliver the same level of service. Until cash flows re-establish, people simply can't re-employ their workers. If that means your meal takes longer to come to the table, or your order ships a little more slowly, please be mindful and compassionate.
- Lots of parts of our supply chain are BROKEN. Our suppliers don't have everything we need since they, too, have been closed and cash-strapped. Imported items in the supply chain are still facing lengthy delays due to reduced freight options.
- Understand the substantial increases in shipping prices are NOT the entrepreneur's fault and imposed by airlines and shipping companies. Yes, it sucks.
- Be aware of how frazzled your fav entrepreneur might be, trying to look like everything's back to normal (to reassure everyone and get the flow of orders running) but maybe working 20 hours a day to keep the facade vaguely together. Buying wine always helps. 🤣 Soft loans, early christmas orders, advances...? Bring tissues cos your fav entrepreneur may weep in gratitude.
- Be mindful of how you might be able to HELP a struggling entrepreneur - share their faceook promo, take a product sample to your client on their behalf, give them a product review, send an email recommending their product-service to a potential new client. Ask them how you can help!
- Look at all your entrepreneurial friends online and see how much you can buy from THEM this Christmas-Holiday season. Trust me, the big malls, chainstores and amazon have deep pockets and DON'T need your business!!
- Allow plenty of time for your end of year gift giving - buy early! Partly so your fav entrepreneur knows she can EAT for christmas, and partly so she's not having a mental breakdown trying to do everything last minute on 20th December.
I think Covid was a gift to all of us in some way - FORCING us to re-evaluate priorities and our purchasing decisions.
Today, in Thailand, this entrepreneur felt HAPPY. Cos I schlepped over to Bangkok Airways Cargo alone late afternoon on a public holiday (no staff yet to do that) and shipped our first consignment of insect repellent to Koh Samui - an island paradise in the Gulf of Thailand - which is receiving the inflows of its first tourists since March.
Tomorrow? I'm making my first small order of herbal balms and face scrubs/masks ready to send to Japan. Weekends? They're for the sheeple. I've never been happier to be back to work!! 😍
Life is good, we ARE inching towards recovery and I'm thrilled Thailand is reopening and reinventing itself without the heavy reliance on mass tourism.
BlissednBlessed. Grateful.
All images used in my posts are created and owned by myself, unless specifically sourced. If you wish to use my images or my content, please contact me.
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