Gia, Turns 2 in a few days

Gia Honey,

As you turn two in a few days from now, I have been grappling with my toast and I thought while I will write and raise a toast on your birthday but I am sure you would hardly remember so I am putting it in black and white for you to read when you grow up. I write this with a lot of love and to tell you how much you mean to me and you always will.

On a starry night on 7th of Jan, I first held you in my arms with a tear in my eye. I was an anxious to be father and as I see you grow I am still an anxious father and guess that would remain with me. You are this incredible burst of energy with the most mischievous, naughty and intense eyes. It's such a joy to see you even when you are screaming and bringing the roof down. Honestly I try and be calm and I know its just a phase and shall pass. I want to say sorry for all the times I have yelled at you or lost my cool. I only do that out of my limitation to understand you and keep your tantrums in check. The only intend with this is to help you grow up polite, respecting and disciplined. Love you and love you so much dear. Wish you a very happy, healthy and a great learning year ahead. Like you say LAAB YOU :)

Lessons in Enterprenuership

It's been a while since I have been thinking about it but I finally got the time and the thought to may be keen a few things I learnt from my new venture. Oh yes!! For those who did not know I now have a small business while I am working for another company as well. What this allows me to do is find aspects of myself that I never knew exist.

Let me think !! It all started one evening sitting with a friend in my balcony when he had this idea about a property he came across through his work. The idea is plain and simple take the building from the owner and sublet it make money by the difference. What involved in it was not simple and it never is.

This is first business venture, though I have been brought up in a family business and have done some form of business and too me it all seemed natural and easy progression. But it never seems to amaze me when you get into something how different and how much you learn in such small time. The facets of your characters that get overhauled it simply beautiful.

For me I am naturally averse to conflicts and try and resolve things by waiting on it or running away from it. Yeah you read it we often brush things under the carpet when its not in our comfort zone. That's what has changed ever since I started my own business. Conflict and differences are a part of the daily business. Whether it is with your employee or with your customer or with your partners. Unless you take them head on you are not going to resolve any issue.

1. First learning for me, be clear on your vision. Spend that extra time to notice the details, the pine print of the agreements, partnership deeds, dealing with customers.
2. Take a decision, notice the pros and cons. Most importantly stick to your ground and be prepared for the consequences. they are not going to be limited but that's the difference. The key difference in success or failure.
3. Never rely only on word, everything should be document and detailed. With no eye for detail it will be impossible to win customers or partners.

My job allows me the freedom to fund my business but its a big risk the money that could have repaid your home loan, funded your dreams are riding on a partnership, a risk that we all believe in. It could very easily go down the drain and with it will come despair. So its imperative that you safeguard yourself with all eventualities. No exit plan, no crash landing, no limit tables are an invitation to doomsday.

This adventure has allowed me to learn so much and respect whatever I have earned so much more that I really feel lucky to have the luxury of a job and at the same time do business. To me business is more about character and vision. Without these I don't think anyone would ever be able to create something out of nothing. A good idea could very well go down the drain without the vision and the strength of your character, the leadership and discipline. You have to be honest to your vision.

To be continued.....