In the past for some reason, my location has always seemed obvious….I was born in Connecticut, USA and always thought NYC was the place for me, so after high school, I went to college right across from Manhattan….and always targeting getting a job there. While working in New York, I saved as much as I could, and considered MBA, franchise, or start my own business….and China business seemed obvious for “hot money” and entrepreneurship, so I worked towards getting into China. I was mainly considering between Shenzhen and Shanghai, choosing Shenzhen because it’s a young city, near to hong kong (for visa border hopping) and high tech. Shanghai seemed more “big business” rather then startup, more expensive, and had to fly out of the country to renew my visa every 30 days (insane). I never considered Beijing because it’s so cold, horrible traffic jams, and it just feels like I am surrounded by government, kind of like Washington DC in America, couldn’t see myself there either.
But then after reducing my china sourcing business (process of finding products in China) in 2009 and focusing on the internet and ecommerce….I started thinking why am I in China? But still not enough reasons to pack up and leave. Then at the beginning of 2010 google left china ….the US dollar fear of mass decline, and just the annoyance of internet censorship by the chinese government (GFW, great firewall). So I really started looking to leave china…..and had some operations startup in Philippines in a small startup office to help with customer support for the ecommerce business of bar products (night call center) and some support for SEO content writing, and accounting and book keeping.

Bouncing back and forth between China and Philippines in first half of 2010….thinking maybe I can still sell in China, and have support team in Philippines…I was waiting to make a big commitment until my USA trip link. I was so close to staying in New York….but decided to calm down a bit, take my return ticket (prepaid) to Asia, and think it through. So that is where I’ve been past couple weeks, and now I am gonna lay it all out for you blog readers.

So these are the options I have been considering

CHINA

Do I remain in china, its hard, I spent 3 years of sweat , tears, and sometimes some blood (from a china hospital visit and a 2nd chinese hospital visit…….) – and most of my full time development in entrepreneurship has been in Shenzhen china (except my san diego, california transition time in summer 2007. ) and there are a decent amount of business people I know here.
let’s look at the pro and cons of China:
Positives – manufacturing base, some web marketing clients, large growing economy hungry for foreign brands, loyal workers that want to return to work with me
Negatives – most of my work now is in English websites, inflation is going crazy – food cost, labor costs, currency is a big risk, GFW

As for each city:

Shenzhen china – I do have a fully operational registered company, assistant helping me while I’m away and when I’m here on a part time basis, a large network of friends, clients, semi-sales channels, and it has gotten pretty comfortable for me here. Yet I still am filtered by the great firewall, making risks high of having more websites and products blocked here, and living costs and labor costs are steadily on the rise here. I don’t have an apartment, subletted my office that then turned out to a full transfer of lease, and do have an office to work from, and renting month to month from Dave Ho at the moment while I think.

Fuzhou Fujian province, china – I have some partner offices here run by doing link trading, proving to me costs can still be low in China. The pro, low costs for living and operations, the city is near markets for product sources. Negative, no one speaks English, seems too far removed from city life…I would probably go crazy if I lived here (but would learn Chinese fast!)

Shanghai – commonly called the new york of china, its home to many international financial and consulting companies…..expensive, but a great base if you want to sell in china, requires a flight to get out of china (while Shenzhen is on hong kong border). I do have a few good contacts there that will support me fully if I base there. Seems like a good base for buying and selling to and from China…..and is tempting to base here to sell services into the growing Chinese market.

Ningbo port city, china – a couple years ago I was close to living here…..its a center of Zhejiang and that is the center of non-electronic manufacturing…but now I don’t see this likely though it is lower cost of living and I have support from some factories

Hong Kong – always really really temping place to settle down….outside of the “political constraints” of china as it’s a special economic zone so no GFW internet censorship….tons of international companies….but again raelly expensive all across the board…but is it in hk dollars so not as much chinese yuan us dollar currency risk. And I have been meeting a lot of great internet companies based there…and its close to Shenzhen when I need to get in. Its also a transportation hub, most of my flights are in and out of this airport. I have compared doing business in Hong Kong from Shenzhen and the main factor holding me back there is cost. SHOULD THAT BE A FACTOR?

Philippines

As a country, its free from chinese government internet filtering….friendly people, lower cost of living and operations, and native English speakers. A breath of fresh air for an American who still hasn’t nearly mastered the Chinese language, and even Chinese complain about the ever changing, ever confusing Chinese laws. Negatvie – VISA for my passport, and work permit seem to be a challenge, and I would probably have to invest in opening a registered company there if I were to remain. Else constantly traveling in and out every 45 days (no walking border to Hong Kong like in Shenzhen) costing me more and more on airfare travel….taht is a negative I have to consider, or find a solution to.

But another main thing is…..you cannot really sell in the Philippines…..its purely a back office…..Whereas currently in China the market is becoming more like a sales center then a back office…so its tempting to sell in China more then ever.

Manila, Philippines – the metropolis of the Philippines, this capital city is where most major foreign corporations are – and currently where my small call center office is. Very densely populated. TRAFFIC sucks, high pollution…not much public transportation. Infrastructure is best in Philippines, electricity is 2nd highest in Asia after Japan, electricity brownouts are fairly common, normally suggested to have a backup generator. And Manila is massive, there are so many districts and zones like Makati (most famous outsourcing center), Quezon City, Eastwood, Tagig, Pasig, etc.

Secluded beach on the Philippines – as an internet dude, this one has always been tempting. I am talking to Marie, but again the risks here are electricity and internet may not be as reliable….harder to find workers than in a city…and those are the 2 main reasons besides the overall pros and cons of Philippines. But life would be much less stressful, and I prefer this over Manila.

Cebu, Philippines – Much lower cost of living than in Manila, but infrastructure is not as developed. A couple hours flight from Manila, and not as big of an airport. Know a few people here with call centers and connections, but not as many as in Manila / Makati.

USA

Ahh, the good ol’ United States of America. Business flows easily there, people do what they say they are going to do, verbally without need of too many contracts. Costs are coming down with the high unemployment, but still overall higher than the rest of the world, unless you go far away from the cities. Most of my income still comes from America, northeast mainly.
New York, NY – still my favorite city in the world. Almost got me to stay there….most of my business relations, clients, friends, university is within a couple hours from here. Again, its mainly high cost of living….and I was fearful of risking having to get a dayjob if I stayed there too long.

Silicon valley, California – an internet entrepreneurs stomping grounds. I have never really been there…..when I drove cross country in 2003 with Scott, we stopped by San Fransisco, but I have not yet really gotten involved with business directly in Silicon Valley. Is this something I am missing out on? Would I find my way better, should I be like the many internet entrepreneurs and make or break myself out there. Would this be easier to get business partners, ideas, contacts, venture capital? Not sure if I am willing to go there at the moment, do have some limited relationships I can work on to better learn about the environment, but the internet bubble is way over now.

Other city in usa – I don’t think I would consider them now….sure I can live in Florida near my family, or in Connecticut with my hometown friends and some customers. But….it is just too quiet and calm for me. I need more insanity. I thrive in chaos. I want to meet new people every day. I don’t want to commute to an office aech day in MY CAR, guzzling gas on a huge highway. I only see New York as a city in USA that you can live without a car, and this is one of my requirements, really. Cars = money pit to me.

I had also considered Thailand…but seems more like a resort or retirement community then a place to do business…..costs are like Philippines, but English isn’t as good…so whats the business sense in that? Maybe if I make a million I can buy a resort there, haha.

So where does this leave me? I think maybe New York needs another year of preparation at least….I want to focus on the internet, English language, targeting USA. Still seems like Philippines, or maybe Hong Kong that make it to the top of the list.

Still tempted with the foreigner’s mousetrap to sell into China…..but I have to learn chinese and invest time and energy where I have not yet doneso in the past 3 years, so why would I start that now? My stills, strengths, and interest still live on the English language and on the internet….that is my VIRTUAL home…now where to find a physical home.

Thoughts?

Incoming search terms:

• freedom by parachute
• parachute mind
• michael michelini atty in newark nj
• parachute crazy
• parachuting christmas cards
• where do you base currently

People have been noticing when I stop twittering! Awesome, social media is all about being a LIVE PERSON. A living, breathing human being. Not some RSS feed machine. And even if a human is actually writing it….don’t just talk professionally about work, be a human, laugh, joke, tell your feelings.

And sometimes I’m warned that I shouldn’t be so open online. BUT THAT IS WHAT GETS THE MOST INTEREST. That’s what people like, connect with, relate to, interact with. not some “by the book” robot that is afraid to show their feelings, emotion, and perspective.

So back to this social media with hotel travel from Thailand. That is just amazing…..but is it a JOB? I travel, I blog, I do social media. To be a living, breathing social media sales and marketing master. Its always the operational side after the sale that has been my hickup, which is also intertwined with lack of focus or interested in doing too many things. But isn’t this a common issue with so many entreprenuers?

Well, another cool thing about the posting is there isn’t an email, only twitter for sending a response, So I sent a quick message. The funniest thing is Olivier Dombey I had met online before a few years ago about some opportunities….small world…or are we both just really good networkers?

Here’s the JOB post

Social Media Manager/Strategist

Type: Full-time

Experience: Mid level managerial

Functions: Strategy/Planning, Online Marketing, Information Technology, Other

Industries: B2C Online Marketing and Advertising, Travel

Report: Chief Information Officer

Job Description

Before reading any further, you must be able to answer a resounding and confident “yes, I can” to the following questions, and be able to substantiate each:

• Do you eat, sleep and breathe social media?
• Seriously, do you dream in 140 characters?
• Can you think bigger than Facebook and Twitter and put together integrated B2C social media campaigns and solutions that are miles ahead of the competition?
• Can you map out the relationships between B2C social media opportunities, how they fit with one another, what are they respective strengths and weaknesses, and how each could be maximised to enhance our company’s social media campaigns, website and blog?
• Do you have enough sensibility to modulate the tone of your postings/messages according to your audience?
• Are you able to grow revenue streams though social media and in time deliver a positive ROI?
• Do you have the social media inner fire burning in you? The one that gives you your daily torrent of adrenaline, the one that makes you a winner when you pass-smash your targets?
• Can you walk the talk? Anyone can dream up a strategy, what counts is its execution. Can you?

Now,

• If you have been honest with yourself and gave yourself the thumbs up for each the above self-testing questions
• If you firmly believe that you are such a social media innovator and animal
• If you believe you have the passion, energy, innovation, knowledge and skills to be our social media face
• If you can get your hands dirty and execute what you preach
• And if you can prove it all with an impeccable track record of successful past experience

Then, we want to talk to you…

HotelTravel.com has an immediate opening for such an innovative, driven, hands-on Social Media Manager/Strategist.

I’m interested!  How do I apply?

If you’re the right candidate, you’ll know how.  And if you don’t know how, you’re not the right candidate. Hint: @olivierdombey at @hoteltravel.

Incoming search terms:

• social media vacancy thailand
• social media jobs thailand

I am not going to say it is anarchy or any type of mayhem – but it is definitely not a good thing for BUSINESS. Imagine if you are an owner of a company or retail shop in that area…you are losing SO MUCH MONEY RIGHT NOW. And its not like there is an insurance to protect you – or does it fall under “natural disaster” insurance? And who would pay for those types of insurances anyway…..
Again, I guess this is why I am fortunate to be an American….its rather safe and stable economy. It also makes you realize the risk/reward formula in business….if you take higher risks, you get higher reward potential. Meaning, if you setup shop in Thailand, sure costs are low, maybe there are new markets to be made, less informed competitors – but things like this may happen and interrupt your business.
Now that I am back to China – actually, I believe China is getting to be a more STABLE place to do business…..its just FOREIGN to FOREIGNERS. The Chinese government fights hard to keep stability in its economy and government. That is what the Chinese people know and understand….and TRUST. They may not agree with some of the things their government does, but they know the Chinese government does these things to provide a better economic / financial environment for its people.

But I have heard Singapore is very easy to open and welcome to foreign investment, easy to open a company, friendly tax structure. I wonder if the import duties are high, coming from all over the world into singapore, and then selling / shipping from there.
What a crazy world….its a rat-race to stay ahead. But also, you don’t want to spread too thin (I have to admit, I have made that mistake wayyyyyy too many times) So I have to stay focused – but really my focus is still the internet by selling online. Maybe that is too broad, but I love the industry – AND I LOVE INTERNATIONAL business. Domestic (1 country) is not sloppy and crazy enough, I like the craziness and risk of the international side!

too much risk for me to sit and wait….i need to at least develop a plan B.

talking to my friend Dustin down in Phuket, Thailand – he’s already in the internet world and wants to cooperate. Been already in contact with some other internet and ecommerce companies there.

I’m not gonna just bail on my China office / staff like Google seems to be doing (reports they gave a few months severance package already), I trust they will work well like they are doing….I have already re-organized the company here and seems they are working indepently now. I plan to visit regularly….Thailand isn’t so far.

maybe this is just a wake up call for me, i can’t be so settled down in China. I need to explore more, see more, develop international relations.

Maybe Ill come back, i am going to try to keep some operations here, sourcing some products, maintaining some projects. I care about my team and won’t let them down.

Just can’t sleep these days…and it came so suddenly…only started hearing reports 3 or 4 days ago about this baidu / google / china government showdown….