i’m back to doing USA business almost 90% of the time….think i really gotta get back to the usa and straighten some deals and alliances out.

Since Shadstone took over newyorkbarstore…. i have been seeking vigorously how to improve the cash flow, here are some ideas

I NEED HELP WITH #1…………….how to structure a deal like that…

1) PARTNER with a NY retail shop - we get so many people looking for our retail store…..this is my idea
a) CLOSE/ end my 3rd party warehouse contract in upstate NY - and ship all the goods to the retail location in manhattan (or a borough)
b) license the shop the newyorkbarstore brand (trademark) - would they have to put up a sign, or even change the name of their shop
c) at first give them consignment terms on the goods i have in the upstate warehouse but..
…. later turn them into a customer…? or ….this is where i’m not sure.
d) add this shop’s products to the newyorkbarstore.com online retail website.
e) how to approach these shops…. i made this list - http://www.newyorkbarstore.com/nyc_bar_restaurant_directory/

2) move my warehouse to california - for my B2B - and then diversify from just barproducts to all kinds of bar products - sending JIT to the NY store location (#1 above)
a) I already hve some stock in california, in the city of santa ana.
b) cali is closer to china / india so my shipping time is reduced as well as my shipping costs
c) sell B2B from california, and using the NY location as a retail and geographical location.

3) build more online retail shops selling directly from my office in shenzhen.

I should be in NY sooner then later……but first want to get some warm leads and deal structure before going there….with the purpose of going there to sign and executre #1

going through my list of NYC friends and contacts…..gonna be busy making calls and talking shop - seems i’ll be on USA time frame for some weeks to come…

I am cleaning up my desktop and computer, going through tons of folders and files…rather annoying but its good to go through it on a weekend - travel back in time and remember all the hopes and dreams of the past. Some are real, others never became - or realized something else.

I found a really great file, things I want to do before I leave this Earth. I wrote this in April 2002!!!! Good thing I keep backing up my data, here is a copy/paste:

What I want to do before I die.

have a respectable job, one that i love to do — done
have a happy family life
have a party house, where i can have reunions of all the wonderful people i meet
meet as many new people as possible
start a college fund

activities

bungee jump
sky dive —done

travel

tour europe — done
austrailia
caribean — done
las vegas — done
visit hollywood –done
go to brazil
camping, beach
boating
Appalachian trail
cancun —done
bahamas
italy — done
montreal —done
iowa —-done

I would say, I am the same person I was then as I am now….. still a few things on that list I have to get done…. mainly my goal in life is to EXPERIENCE IT. And that hasn’t changed.

I really beleive I am not driven by money. Some say that is stupid…and yes, it seems to have gotten me into SHORT TERM problems in the past……even tonight my friend Jojo said “if you keep being so nice, you’ll even have no money to wear the shirt you have on”. So strange, but you know what, if that is how it will be, then I will have lived my life anyway.

WHO CARES ABOUT MONEY. you live, you die. Nothing can be taken with you when you’re gone. And your family and children should live for their own lives, not hope you pass money along to them.

I was emailed an interesting article from a fellow blogger - Top Things People Steal From Hotels
The list he outlines below is hilarious:

1. Towels. Do you really need more towels at home or do you just want to have something that says the name of the place you stayed. Most times these items are available for sale in the gift shop.
2. Bathrobes. Who has enough room in their suitcase to steal a bathrobe? I say bring a smaller bag and you won’t be able to steal.
3. Ashtrays. Really? Ashtrays are not that expensive, just go buy one. Better yet, quit smoking. It’s bad for your health.
4. Light bulbs. Now this is just silly. Do you really want broken glass in your suitcase if someone smashes it?
5. Batteries out of the TV remote. Batteries are very expensive so I guess I could see this, but how would you like to be the next guy and not have a remote that works?
6. Bed linens. Gross. Do you have any idea what people do on those sheets? I’m pretty sure housekeeping will notice and you’ll get billed.
7. Shampoo and lotion bottles. While some hotels may consider taking these as stealing I have to say that these are put there for the guest’s use and if you don’t use them there, why can’t you take them home?
8. Blow dryers. Do you really want that blow dryer? In my experience they are never that good anyway. Go buy your own.
9. Sewing kits. These are meant to be used in an emergency and really aren’t meant to take home.
10. Bottle openers. Now I don’t see these very often, probably because someone before me stole it!

Now, I dont think most people even think its stealing, maybe its included in the room? Its not that expensive. The hotel makes enough money……hmmm, just wondering.

See me, I just expect / hope its there when I get there, because I didn’t pack it. I don’t care as long as its there. As I travel light, and I need those damn towels!