Dreaming of Success

[YoungDr3amer]

A Title, a message, and a dream!

Before I can explain my potential business plan, let me describe the steps that have taken place that has allowed me to be where I am now.
I'm currently 23 years old, 80% completed my BA Operations Management, 3 year program, and however for the last year, I have been involved in opening and developing two restaurant franchises.

The reason why I did not complete the final year is because I was involved in a semi-co-op related program teaching ESL in my home country of Vietnam as well developing small businesses for two family members, mostly provided financial aid. Anyways, unfortunately I was unable to return in time to begin the semester and decided to spend the time finding work experience.

Just a little side note, I know I'm jumping all over the place and getting off-topic, but I can reassure you, it does all play out to my present situation. At this moment in time, my parents have signed over complete ownership of one beauty salon as well as 50% ownership of our house. Therefore, my credit is looking splendid.

Now I wish to take the time continuing to learn advanced restaurant management functions, real-estate property management, marketing, managerial accounting, etc. Rather then returning to school, continue absorbing practical ideas, realistic approaches to conflict-resolutions and finally beginning my full-time job as an owner of a half-Thai and half-Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of downtown Mississauga.
As of this very moment, I'm looking, realistically 3 to 4 years down the road to begin...

Any ideas, recommendations or constructive criticisms are welcomed!
Thanks!

[matdwyer]

You've already invested 80% of money and time into your program, why not just complete the rest (1 semester?) and get your certificate? It wont ever hinder you to have "proof" of your skills... all the rest is great, but it likely will still be there down the line... get your schooling done and then go for the stars...

[YoungDr3amer]

As simple as that idea sounds, going back to school isn't easy as it seems.

When I returned from my adventure from overseas, my parents had purchased and finalized the Mississauga home, forcing me to look into local schools that shared similar programs. Unfortunately, I was unable to transfer the majority of credits and it was difficult in my opinion to restart in the early stages of any program.

The only logical path in finishing would be to travel daily back and forth from Mississauga to Niagara Falls (Approx. 50mins one way) or invest a great deal of money in student housing. I'm fearful of traffic, hazardous driving conditions, or I'm too lazy to pull this off for 3 1/2 months.

Would anyone personally endure this?

[adeel]

I have been traveling about an hour each way me entire life (school, work etc). Granted, ive been using public transport.

Take it from someone who knows: finish your degree. If you have to commute for an hr each way for 4 months, then do it. While you may not think you need your degree at the moment, you never know what might happen in the future. If anything, your degree may give you something to fall back on.

I would recommend trying to schedule your courses so that you only have to be on campus 2 or 3 days a week.

[matdwyer]

As simple as that idea sounds, going back to school isn't easy as it seems.

When I returned from my adventure from overseas, my parents had purchased and finalized the Mississauga home, forcing me to look into local schools that shared similar programs. Unfortunately, I was unable to transfer the majority of credits and it was difficult in my opinion to restart in the early stages of any program.

The only logical path in finishing would be to travel daily back and forth from Mississauga to Niagara Falls (Approx. 50mins one way) or invest a great deal of money in student housing. I'm fearful of traffic, hazardous driving conditions, or I'm too lazy to pull this off for 3 1/2 months.

Would anyone personally endure this?

Would anyone travel 1 hour to get to school or work? Yes... almost everyone in the GTA.

If you are concerned about the traffic/weather, then spend $350/month and rent a room in NF. The falls (especially just east of the falls) is a craphole and you could get rooms there for dirt cheap.

If you think about it, $350x4 months = $1400 ... + tuition of say $1500 & living expenses you already have. The opp. cost of your work here would be say $8000 (if you work a close to min. wage job).

That being said, is your degree worth the extra $11000? If you fail miserably at your business and have nothing left to go on, would that degree help you make $11000 more than working at mcdonalds (per year?!)

It is a no brainer being that much invested in. Had you brought this up after say 1 semester it might be different, but with 1 semester left, you'd be crazy not to (in my mind)

[heavyweight]

It sounds to me like you are already decided not to return to school.

If your dream is to become self-employed and rich, then finishing that one year will very little benefit. Everything that you will need to learn (which you have already identified) can be learned on your own be reading, mentors, and experience if you have the motivation.

You seem to be well positioned to be successful thanks to your family.

I somewhat regret myself going back to school to get my MBA degree. I would be much further ahead had I not. Other than building networks, what I learned is useless for me personally. In fact, I have found that I am missing opportunities because I think and analyze too much.

[ullyeus]

I'd suggest a few things.


a) Learn how to be more precise in your communications vs rambling

b) Yes..many people personally "endure" commutes far longer than the one you would have.

c) I always suggest the same thing when I hear about people in your situation...distance yourself from your parents and their investments....go and learn and succeed on your own....when I hear about a young guy who owns 50% of his parents house...a beauty salon they gave him....and made an owner of their restaurant..I only think of negatives...that they are spoiled and have no real practical world experience.

[YoungDr3amer]

Quick note, the program is actually 7 semesters, 3.5 yrs, and yes one semester is remaining.

They say motivations are the source of all actions...

For the last 4 years, I have been consistently pushing myself, utilizing my time and effort effectively and efficiency, and pursuing that next step that will transcend to a higher standard of success.

- For the first time in my life, the last 5 years of independent studies in learning the Vietnamese language, I can say I have advanced to intermediate proficiency in writing, reading, speaking and karaoke!

- The opportunity during the 3 years to co-lead a weekly business entrepreneurial class of 20 students was a profound learning experience in leadership and project creations.

- Working alongside Mr. Sandy McApline, President of the Coffee Association of Canada and Mike Dang, Operations Manager of Logistics, Tim Hortons Ontario. Allowed me travel to Vietnam in order to research and investigate about the Weasel coffee product. That did not work out too well, however, I was able to meet up with Mr. Elliot Cooper, Dean of English at the University of Danang, arranging this 6 month program to teach English and westernized perspectives on all sort of topics.

- Being fortunate enough to travel back home to Vietnam 4 times in the last 5 years has allowed me to become disciplined, attain a stronger sense of self-control and the belief that I may eventually help families abroad with their youths' education and careers. Attaining restaurant ownership, it may provide a gateway for young family members abroad to have less difficulty in applying for citizenship to work for me in Canada.

- As for my restaurant development projects, being involved in all sectors of management functions, working 45+hrs/week on a regular basis, and regretfully the 75+hrs/week for the first 2 months for each restaurant, I am confident in moving forward and to move in the right direction.

Today, I have finalized my thoughts on returning to school, and without a doubt, I shall complete my final semester in the summer or fall 09, depending on my travel plans.

Any further comments are welcomed!
-Young Dreamer

[baz5]

You sign up for the form to post this?

[khtm]

You have a nice Mommy and Daddy.

[MoreMiles]

Today, I have finalized my thoughts on returning to school, and without a doubt, I shall complete my final semester in the summer or fall 09, depending on my travel plans.

Any further comments are welcomed!
-Young Dreamer

Good for you! Without finishing this university degree, you are simply a high school graduate. You will not want to present yourself in a business function or job interview as a high school grad.

[Sepiraph]

Good for you! Without finishing this university degree, you are simply a high school graduate. You will not want to present yourself in a business function or job interview as a high school grad.

Did you even read his post? He said he's running his own business, and in the real world your resume won't help you there when you are the one running the show.

[MoreMiles]

Did you even read his post? He said he's running his own business, and in the real world your resume won't help you there when you are the one running the show.

Unless you will never need business expansion, it would be difficult for anyone to invest in a partnership with a high school graduate. If the business is great like Bill Gate's, then there is no problem. Otherwise, I will be worried to put in any money with someone without much education. Maybe I'm old fashioned, I still believe in an academic degree.

[spf1971]

Can you complete the remaining courses through correspondence? A lot of schools have distant learning departments where you can finish degrees.

[YoungDr3amer]

It is a great challenge when you wish to become proactive and prepare all major decisions in the coming weeks, months, and years.

My short/long term steps to success:

1) Remain an assistant General Manager of Boston Pizza until April 2009.

2) Travel overseas and study the traditional art of cooking from the source. (5 months accelerated classes in Vietnam and Thailand).

3) Return for my final 8 classes to complete my BA Ops Mgmt Degree, Sept to Dec or April 2010. (Back-up plan if all else fails)

4) Upon graduation, research and investigate job opportunities within the fine dine Asian restaurant industry and hopefully select the most suitable and profound position available.

5) Even since the summer, I have been constantly visiting a high number of restaurants that share similar aspects of service, food, and design. Thus, continue to inquire information about leasing, location preferences, acquiring skilled labour, and most importantly financial information.

6) I have briefly mentioned the idea of developing a gateway for young family members overseas to have less difficulty in applying for citizenship to work for me here in Canada. What if, within the application, it is stressed that I demand specific skills to succeed my employee requirements. With hope, I wish that request alone would drastically increase the application approval.

7) Erasing the perception of the inexperience of youth. Extremely difficult, the task at hand is not to take anything for granted, remain calm and collective upon any assignment and continue to define perseverance. Utilize all major resources, attain the desired knowledge with full understanding, and create a network of strong affiliations. (Sexy Gibberish?)

7) As for marketing, location alone is never enough. Working alongside my Boston Pizza franchise owner, I experienced first hand what it means to truly think outside the box. Offering valuable incentives for one's benefit in order to exchange for something far greater in reward. For example, as we pursued nearby hotels and motels to implement our plan of having each and every one of their rooms to contain our restaurant menu. Thinking what is fair to offer in return was difficult to finalize specifics. Hearing his proposals, action plans, and visualizing that final handshake. I was give the task to take on the motels on my own. Remarkable what confidence and knowledge can be attained if enforced opportunities arise.

I will continue to further expand on my ideas in the coming days, for tonight, I sleep and dream of success...

[ullyeus]

6) I have briefly mentioned the idea of developing a gateway for young family members overseas to have less difficulty in applying for citizenship to work for me here in Canada. What if, within the application, it is stressed that I demand specific skills to succeed my employee requirements. With hope, I wish that request alone would drastically increase the application approval.


Maybe it's just my perceptions and backgrounds but I have never understood why anyone...especially a smart business owner would do this...My criteria would always be to

a) pick someone good for the job

not someone who is related to me....seems like a very poor decision....I detest family run business's, always seems to poorly organized and poor service. Obviously those are generalizations...

[YoungDr3amer]

Maybe it's just my perceptions and backgrounds but I have never understood why anyone...especially a smart business owner would do this...My criteria would always be to

a) pick someone good for the job

not someone who is related to me....seems like a very poor decision....I detest family run business's, always seems to poorly organized and poor service. Obviously those are generalizations...



In general, I would agree with you, stating that the ideal employee should possess the necessary skills, experiences and expertise to attain any position.

However, given my previous posts, it appears you misunderstood me. I favoured having family members work for me through my past experiences in Vietnam. Having seen what they endure, their mentality, and their current hardships, I personally believe that I can change their circumstances and their families for the better.

Again, often people of such drastic conditions thrive in environments where they can utilize their strong eagerness for financial change and potential advancement opportunities.

I wish to deliver that hope for a better world for many economically deprived people but nothing is without risk. It shall be immensely challenging in prioritizing scheduling and set aside time to cost-effectively train in order to utilize their services.

Hopefully, I can look back one day and see the results of all this hard-work and make my parents and sisters proud of me.

-YoungDr3amer

[xaltair]

I know two things about vietnamese people (my gf is viet), they are hard working and they're very together with their family. Having said that keep in mind that although they'll work hard they're not the best with business and figuring out how to increase their revenue, they'll just work for the same money year after year after year.

As for family, doesn't matter where you're from it's almost never a good idea to get family involved in a business since it'll be very hard to fire them if you have to. The only way to get them involved would be if it's your wife, but if it's anyone else i'd stay away from trying to find them jobs in your business especially since you don't live with them every day of their lives (overseas relatives) so you have no idea how they behave under different pressures and situations.

Hope you'll keep this in mind, good luck with your studies.

[YoungDr3amer]

I know two things about vietnamese people (my gf is viet), they are hard working and they're very together with their family. Having said that keep in mind that although they'll work hard they're not the best with business and figuring out how to increase their revenue, they'll just work for the same money year after year after year.

As for family, doesn't matter where you're from it's almost never a good idea to get family involved in a business since it'll be very hard to fire them if you have to. The only way to get them involved would be if it's your wife, but if it's anyone else i'd stay away from trying to find them jobs in your business especially since you don't live with them every day of their lives (overseas relatives) so you have no idea how they behave under different pressures and situations.

It seems like I really need to get into more detail in order to specifically deliver my ideas across more clearly and concisely.

What you're referring to is a large majority of Vietnamese citizens who are either new to this country and/or are unable to lower communication barriers for whatever reason. Thus, creating conflict in establishing themselves in an advanced, educated and intellectually-bound society. Consequently, they are subjected to minimal opportunities, commonly leading to nail salon positions or warehousing jobs.

At this moment in time, I have invested time and money into their education, being the keys to success. Of course their education does not compare to our standards here in Canada, however, it is significantly essential and does lead to an easier transition period upon establishing themselves in an new environment. I also keep in contact with many of the younger hopefuls to make sure they are keeping up with their studies or jobs.

"Remarkable what confidence and knowledge can be attained if enforced opportunities arise."

You need to imagine yourself in their position as well. Realizing that these young hopefuls are embarking on an opportunity of a life-time, in a new world, under the leadership and guidance of someone who is passionate about teamwork as he is leading. They must understand I have high expectations, I have invested a great deal in order to prepare them for the application process and financial endeavors.

Only a fool would waste this chance and choose failure to adapt rather than choose my assistance and award one's self with skills, experience, and new found prosperity.

There will always be consequences for those who do not commit themselves and are unable to follow strict policies and procedures.

-YoungDr3amer

[ullyeus]

In general, I would agree with you, stating that the ideal employee should possess the necessary skills, experiences and expertise to attain any position.

However, given my previous posts, it appears you misunderstood me. I favoured having family members work for me through my past experiences in Vietnam. Having seen what they endure, their mentality, and their current hardships, I personally believe that I can change their circumstances and their families for the better.

Again, often people of such drastic conditions thrive in environments where they can utilize their strong eagerness for financial change and potential advancement opportunities.

I wish to deliver that hope for a better world for many economically deprived people but nothing is without risk. It shall be immensely challenging in prioritizing scheduling and set aside time to cost-effectively train in order to utilize their services.

Hopefully, I can look back one day and see the results of all this hard-work and make my parents and sisters proud of me.

-YoungDr3amer

I think I understand you exactly...I just happen to disagree... :razz:

[xaltair]

It seems like I really need to get into more detail in order to specifically deliver my ideas across more clearly and concisely.

What you're referring to is a large majority of Vietnamese citizens who are either new to this country and/or are unable to lower communication barriers for whatever reason. Thus, creating conflict in establishing themselves in an advanced, educated and intellectually-bound society. Consequently, they are subjected to minimal opportunities, commonly leading to nail salon positions or warehousing jobs.

At this moment in time, I have invested time and money into their education, being the keys to success. Of course their education does not compare to our standards here in Canada, however, it is significantly essential and does lead to an easier transition period upon establishing themselves in an new environment. I also keep in contact with many of the younger hopefuls to make sure they are keeping up with their studies or jobs.

"Remarkable what confidence and knowledge can be attained if enforced opportunities arise."

You need to imagine yourself in their position as well. Realizing that these young hopefuls are embarking on an opportunity of a life-time, in a new world, under the leadership and guidance of someone who is passionate about teamwork as he is leading. They must understand I have high expectations, I have invested a great deal in order to prepare them for the application process and financial endeavors.

Only a fool would waste this chance and choose failure to adapt rather than choose my assistance and award one's self with skills, experience, and new found prosperity.

There will always be consequences for those who do not commit themselves and are unable to follow strict policies and procedures.

-YoungDr3amer

Seems to me like you're the fool if you're going to train them, get them over here and expect them to do their best in whatever job you have them for with whatever pay you want to give them. If it was that easy to control people then you'd be a president or prime minister by now, or i'd be buying your book.

I suggest you take some time and think on what you plan on doing and realize that the only thing people will do is care for themselves only, you cannot change their nature so if they're not willing to work hard and be successful in their own country and town fat chance there is that it's going to happen here.

[sexpuppet6000]

It seems like I really need to get into more detail in order to specifically deliver my ideas across more clearly and concisely.


-YoungDr3amer

No please don't. What you need is to develop stronger communication and writing skills. Ullyeus is right, you are a rambler and more detail would just make things worse.

[Flimaker101]

Seems to me like you're the fool if you're going to train them, get them over here and expect them to do their best in whatever job you have them for with whatever pay you want to give them. If it was that easy to control people then you'd be a president or prime minister by now, or i'd be buying your book.

I suggest you take some time and think on what you plan on doing and realize that the only thing people will do is care for themselves only, you cannot change their nature so if they're not willing to work hard and be successful in their own country and town fat chance there is that it's going to happen here.

Seems like you miss the point by YoungDr3amer. The title of the thread is 'dreaming for success'.
If you stop people from dreaming then there's not a chance that that dream will ever going to happen.
Also, people who thinks that 'the only thing people will do is care for themselves only' are still at the buttom of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. And that prevents them from sharing what they have.
We need young dreamers like the OP. Full of hope and motivation to help the less priveledge in this world.

[pablonutribar]

Dreamer, have you ever thought about going back to Vietnam and working there?? Maybe you could get a job with the Communist Party in the Propaganda section. You seem adept at spouting yawn-inducing drivel.

That was a joke, but seriously - the previous poster was right. If you're intent upon achieving success, you need to work on your communication skills. I could probably condense each of your posts into three coherent sentences that would sum up your ideas. That is a bad sign. My personal recommendation is for you to take the ADMN233 course at Athabasca University (a business communication course). That might help a bit.

[99rs]

DO whatever it is that makes u happy. remember the key word here is happiness. u dream big and care for ur family/families in vietnam who are not having it "good" which is not a bad thing but reality bites and honestly things/environment/ circumstances for everyone changes. there is no point making life for family members easier or making them proud if ur not content with what u are doing. Do you want to work many many hours in the food industry and be doing it for life or working in the corporate world with ur 'degree'. Is the path that u have plan for the future for yourself or for others. u need to find the balance here and do what is best for you and what makes u happy. u are not put here to live up to other people expectations or to make them proud or have an easier life. Ur inheritance is a blessing; hold on to it and try to pave the road easier for ur future kids. One thing i've agreed with the other posters is that to NEVER MIX FAMILY WITH BUSINESS. u might thing its a good thing to sponsor ur families member over but things quickly changes when they are over here. Family or not; we humans tend to be influenced by our environment and succumb to a couple of the 7 sins :twisted:

[YoungDr3amer]

I created this thread 6 months ago, even to this day, I'm still receiving feedback from countless strangers who continue to offer advice, complaints, and even thanking me.

RFD is simply awesome.