February 7, 2014, "Recruit" column, fourth issue - Home - Never Give Up on Me

Author: Chan Wai-sam, Founder of Me100fun Educational Toy Specialist Store

In the world of toys, beautiful fairy tales can be found. In the real world, fairy tales also exist.

Challenges Keep Coming

When I made the bold leap from the real estate industry to the toy industry, I had carefully considered it and also charged ahead with determination. However, there were indeed many difficulties during the startup phase. Seeking positioning and choosing a direction were major considerations. When we chose not to attract customers with colorful popular toys, but instead focused on selling back-to-basics educational toys, we faced more challenges than typical toy stores. How to maintain sales? How to make more parents aware of the importance of educational toys?

There was a time when we considered adding boutique items to attract OL customers near the company during their lunch breaks, but ultimately decided to stick to our direction. During an economic downturn, the bank even wanted to retrieve our credit card machine because business was poor and the "card swipe rate" was too low! At that time, we had nowhere to turn for help, and my wife and I could only grit our teeth and overcome the difficulties. But this shared joy and sorrow brought us closer, allowing us to move forward hand in hand, which can be described as bittersweet.

"Dad, I don't want pocket money"

During this period, something happened that I will never forget.

My youngest daughter, who was only about ten years old at the time, seemed to know that her parents were having a difficult time with the business. One day she came running to me and said, "Dad, if you don't have enough money, then don't give me pocket money anymore. I don't want you to close the toy store; that's your dream!"

At that moment, I was speechless; my eyes welled up, and my nose tingled. Such a young girl was so sensible, so filial, and so considerate of others. I felt so comforted. No matter how great the difficulties ahead, we would not give up; we would persevere to the end.

Today, we are glad to see our business on track and developing quite stably. Whenever I look back at these stardust memories, so distant yet so near, it gives me the drive to run this business. There are always more solutions than problems, and paths are made by people walking them. As long as we believe in the meaning and value of our work, we will naturally be able to complete it well.

Who says there are no fairy tales in the world? Home is my greatest strength and the most beautiful miracle in my life.