Open Your Small Business But…
17th June 2012 by HisI have talked about my views about expos before. this time I want to take some time to talk about small businesses today.
We have seen the small businesses boom in the recent years from food to fashion. There are great ones out there and there the ones that are pure copycats of successful businesses. We can’t deny that most of them are copy cats.
I always argued about small business who have the same concept one way or another and yet claim that its unique. I have different points to go through.
1 – Age
Small business owners are usually young and for that we sympathize towards them. I for one am completely against that. Not because they are young they are allowed to do certain things. For example copy logos. A young person doesn’t mean dumb. A young person has all the energy to create something special. Firstly parents should be their first guidance. If one day my kid told me he want to have a cupcake business I will most probably be against that. Why? because there are a million dessert places out there. As parents we need to educate our kids who are wanting to open their business to have a unique concept, study the market and see what gap can be covered. A little business 101 won’t hurt you know.
Secondly, there has to be an official authority that educate and guide small business owners. Most importantly without taking a fils from them. Guide them for the sake of help not fortune. Provide laws to be accepted and put for small businesses that cover all the aspects of any large business such as health concerns and business laws.
2 – The idea
My sister is into the Abaya business. She is great when it comes to design but for me I do not believe that this is the correct way. There a tons of abaya businesses and at the end it doesn’t matter how you design it. It’s all the same to me.
Another idea that is really bad is “buying” stuff from abroad and selling them in Kuwait. A&F, Hollister and Banana boat are the biggest examples in Kuwait. It’s like someone does the work and you only distribute. Money yes…creativity null. There are ideas that are based on that that we think is perfect. For example Japan Online or Zoogha are selling products from abroad. Yet they did it in a very creative way by having an online shop.
Also businesses that just spread Nutella on biscuits or add a peach syrup with red bull isn’t something I would like to see. It’s about creating something that is actually worth paying 1 KD a piece for. I don’t care if it looks good but is it unique? will I go back again to buy it?
3 – Pricing
Some small businesses lack in pricing their products. I understand that ever business on the globe wants profit. However some prices are just ridiculous. I can create a dozen cupcakes for around 2 KD. Selling the dozen for 12 KD is just crazy. Pricing has many points to take in consideration. Cost, competition and demand are the main ones.
Small businesses should read about such things and understand how the market works. Not just jot down a price. Although I do not blame them because at the end we actually pay that amount of money.
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I have a list of small businesses that I love and think they are perfect. I also wish they actually become a big business at the end for their creativity and work.
Yet others just make me think, why is this happening?
iMaGiNaTiOn Says:
June 17th, 2012 at 09:59Well said my friend .. Let me answer you questions from my point of view.
As young Kuwaitis , they want rapid profit . By that they sell their “rubbish” stuff for high price .. And they know deep down that Kuwaitis will buy , they won’t look for tiny differences like 5 kd “Unfortunately” .
Another point is “going with the flow” as in doing what others succeded in . For example , the cupcake business . go and enter any expo …. you will find tons of them . The problem is there is no creativity . The concept is easy , fast money . ok ppl love this thing then they will buy from me.
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7amood Says:
June 18th, 2012 at 08:33people are lazy. thats our problem.
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Malik Says:
July 25th, 2012 at 11:55very well analysed i must say, the problem is “WE”.
no matter that you born and brought-up here. still no bank will finance you for business, having a Kuwaiti Partner isn’t a bad condition i’ll see it from other prospective in short its good.
WE all make that rubbish thing so damn special like arghh
ppl here in Kuwait go by Name that’s it. and if it comes on any Blog or Twitter hallas its over they can sell that 1 KD thing at 20 KD. and we all wants that because it is “IN” everyone is talking about it, every1 wants a change. every blogger will go and write about them. writing about a business is good, but i never found any BAD REVIEW (I might not come across).
i too have many good business plans (but ya nothing UNIQUE) but that includes our struggle, our hard work our dedication and hell work on it. but i am not a Kuwaiti so that’s another problem
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