D12 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 25, 1995

Dreams of glo ry.

What small business. needs
to know before heading east :

“You have to have the right.

connections,” says’. Ashok

Menon of Ranka Enterprises
Inc., a clothing wholesaler,’

about doing business. in India.
“If you don’t know’ your. way

around, you'll : never. gel! ny bebe

thing done.”

Jim Fuller, President of
Fuller Systems Inc.; an elec- 7
tronic and hydraulic systems ie
design company, ° says. the
same about doing business in. -

Lithuania. “You have. to ‘have

a good, well-connected agent

or representative.”.

_ Derry Robertson, President :
of Architects. Crang: and

Boake Inc., puts patience, per-

sistence and being:committed
at the top of his list for doing
business in Vietnam. But, he

adds, “You-need a local rep:

_who’s more than a distributor.”

You need. someone: ‘who'll

teally -

look: aft re.
interests.”

Be patient
Patience, as

countries...”

Dean Hamilton of the
Japan. External
Organization. (JETRO)
explains it this way. “Japanese _

‘companies tend to do business _

on the basis of long-term rela-
tionships. ‘They will want. to

take the time to get to know -

you and understand what ben-_
efits the relationship caa

your seriousness :in. approach- :
ing the market and. adds: to,

your credibility”

Garden Shed.

Trade —

_Set in owner Diana McKay's orivate
garden, the shop has an ambience all
its own. No matter which way you
turn, something catches your eye --
ornamental iron plant hangers, terra-
| cotta pots in every shape and size, aj;
wide selection of basketry and pottery,
| unique bird feeders, books, and even
§ gardeners’ t-shirts, hats and umbrellas.
| “We wanted to offer some really special gardening items,” says Diana, “ones you
couldn't find anywhere else.” That's exactly what The Garden Shed has become
known for -- one-of-a-kind tools, accessories and gifts for gardeners.

The Garden Shed Is open spring on through to Christmas for those with gardeners
| on their Christmas shopping list.

_. Flexibility is another quali--
ty, Canadians need ta demon-

strate. “The Japanese have

their own customs and cul-
"ture; their own tastes and
fashions. Don’ tbe surprised if.
ave to adapt your pro-
‘duct to ‘suit’ the. market, The :
- market will not change for

your’ "Says Hamilton,

Amanda Laithwaite of the
Thailand “Business

- Association of Canada says
about | Thailand. .
“Keep in mind that Thailand

the “same

is'a different country with dif-

ferent market dynamics and

that the Thais are the experts
in their own market. You will
have to adapt your product or

service to suit their needs.” |
She advises doing plenty of
‘research and learning: a bit
- about the Buddhist religion
we and the Royal Thai Monarchy.
Everything will be different: ’
story, culture, distribution -’

stems,’ buyers’ behaviour.
tterns, ways of negotiating.

- Does an investment sound

° too good to be true? ~

Andrew Horowitz, a Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., financial

planner, said it probably is.

Here are some guidelines

Horowitz uses to help his”

clients evaluate investments,

‘especially ‘those. that ; are new
and unfamiliar. .
' * Beware of sales people

who push a sale hard and

don’t give any options to what .

- “s ~-they’re sellin,
bring. Persistence is also - y E-

invaluable. It demonstrates ©: adjectives; the pitch s will be in

“fly ffy,

; language, ” he said.

“They will use: a ‘lot of
soft, — cuddly

‘Horowitz called this the

“sie of-the-week syndrome.»

- This will help you avoid cule
~ tural faux pas and give. you :

insight into how people con-

duct business.”.

Get experience :
~ JETRO's Hamilton’ also

_recommends -getting other
"export experience before tack-
“ling Japan. “It enhances your

credibility if you are already
exporting to the U.S.A. or

‘Europe. It also gives you .
‘international experience. The

Japanese market is a tough
and competitive” one. Don't
enter into it lightly”

Experienced exporters give ~

the same advice. They suggest
starting with a more familiar
country and culture. If you
choose a country where the
language and customs: are
similar to your own, it will
probably cost. you less time
and money and you are more
likely to succeed. You can

then use your export skills to
: goafter other markets.

Before choosing investment

“You'll

it. oh

_* Tf you’ve never heard of -

the investment, the company
or the broker selling it,

beware.
“. » Geta second: opinion

from a qualified expert. If the

*. ‘seller gets upset about outside

scrutiny, there’s probably
something wrong with. the
investment.

* Don’t be afraid to ask

‘ about commissions and fees.

If you are uncomfortable

about the investment — for.
"whatever reason - — = don’t, buy

it.

| TERRACE’S Specialty Garden Shop
Green leaves stencilled across = Fi

shiny floorboards set the tone for] -
Terrace's specialty: garden shop, The et

| A Small Town Custom, and a Dog Named Thai}

it takes an entire store to show off Sheilah
McCullough's personal style.
eclectic collection of Victorian-Country gift
items, fragrant candles, and handmade pottery.
It takes pot-pourri, gourmet chocolates and

| one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces.

It takes an

It takes a small; friendly. dog named Thai, “A
lot of people come ‘in just to see the dog,”
Sheilah says of her in-store pooch.

They also come to browse through the
specialty items on her shelves, Each piece has

# been personally chosen by Sheilah, making the
g stock at Ashbury’s a delightful and distinct array
y Of keepsakes. Besides that, the store boasts
s the largest selection of pattery in town,

Some folks drop by just to visit, a small- town

custom Sheilah likes to: encourage.

“We're on

| our fourth guest book," she says proudly. ‘We've even had tourists write to us.”

~ Ashbury’s

: 4607 Lakelse Ave. _

: “since t9s9 well- dressed men in 1 northwest
B.C. have turned to Ev's Men’ s Wear for quality
- clothing and accessories.

‘have good taste,” John explains.

of the good clothing -- formal, business, and
casual -- at reasonable prices, The store also §

’ wearable goods.

know it,” |
Horowitz added. “You'll feel

| simply. means the store caters to even the tiniest of |

That means women, too, frequent the men’s |f
store. ‘Sixty-five percent of our customers are |&
women,” says owner John Clift, who followed |j
his father's footsteps when he took Over the Ii
hometown business 28 years ago. “Women
“They look
for quality, style and price. They know how they | |
like their. men to.look.”

Both men and women appreciate the value

offers a full line of men’s accessories and

Ev's Men's Wear customers know that the store has a full alterations department
and stands behind its products. ‘Our main concern is that our customer comes
first,” John Says. | “It's satisfaction guaranteed ¢ or your money cheerfully refunded.”

_EV'S MENS WEAR

4605 Lakelse Ave.

635-5420

‘Made Fresh, The Way You Want It

You never know what'may spark an entrepreneur.
Not long ago, health care professionals Bob and
Diane Ramage were looking for a career change, i
when Diane discovered a new sandwich taste.
“| was enthralled by a meatball sub," she recalls. |.
“The first meatball sub | had, | knew | was going to do| *
this.” She was right. Today, Bob and Diane own an |
outlet for the world’s second largest franchise.

“We offer sub sandwiches, salads, cookies, muffins, |:
and also breakfast,” Diane says. “The subs are made |.
fresh, right in front of you, the way you want it.” The |
Subway bread-rounds are baked on a continual basis |f
throughout the day. Muffins and cookies are also |;
baked in-store.

Subway celebrates its 30th anniversary this year,
Diane is simply pleased by the popularity of the |
Terrace outlet in the past year and a-half. “The people

’ of Terrace have been exceptional, * she says. “We are really enjoying this.”

4744 Lakelse Ave. . 635-1994

{Across trom the Skeena Mall).

At Gingerbread Playhouse, the term seal business”

customers,

Besides being a popular centre for quality children’s
educational toys. Gingerbread Playhouse owner Nancy
Condon says the store has all the equipment an infant
could possibly need -- from Snuglis, strollers, and car
seats to booster seats, bouncers and high chairs.

There's also an extensive array of baby accessories |
in stock, says Nancy -- wrist-rattles, chewy teethers and -
soft toys; crib mirrors, baby dishes, and board books. -

“We've got LOTS of bath toys,” she points out. 3

She says you'll find all the brand-names you trust,

such as Jolly Jumper, little tikes, and Duplo. As well,
Gingerbread Playhouse offers plenty of Safety First
products and gadgets to “baby-proof” your home. a

Sound like the perfect spot for baby gifts? The store also offers free gift

wrapping.

Gingerbread Playhouse

Skeena Mall Terrace 635-5236