With so many different networks, I have found that I am settling into LinkedIn, instagram and this blog. If you are interested in my thoughts on the Korean market and business, follow me on LinkedIn.  https://www.linkedin.com/hp/update/6230352833414291456 Strawberry sandwich anyone? Only 2000 won. Filled with cream. Steve job is an icon for young children in Korea. Look, he is the star of his own book. Being more mindful and present as a father. I have replaced my daughter's iPad and tv habit with books and games. It is also making me get off my screen addiction as well. #mindful #present #screendetox

Korea is a very interesting country for business. For years, I have worked in the digital realm and I have leveraged it for my businesses. My main job at the companies I have worked in have been sales but technically that wasn't my position. I was either a marketing manager, team leader, owner, etc. Many Korean companies seem to think that sales is a lowly position. I have never felt that way and I feel it is something that my American sensibilities have been attuned to. I create brands, create a story, reach perspective clients and then close the deal. Sounds simple doesn't it? It doesn't seem to be that simple for many of my Korean colleagues who get caught up in the idea of saving face, job titles, and social status. Whatever, I'm over all that stuff. I like to focus on the job and get it done quickly and efficiently. I scout for the best talent and producers instead of just relying on my network and personal contacts as I found many others do. I might be ...

Somehow I have owned a bar for nearly 4 years now and we haven't closed. It's some sort of accomplishment in a way. It's not an easy accomplishment and over the years we have gathered up a group of regulars that are friendly with each other. I guess it is a sort of dependency in a way. It's kind of like trying to throw a party every night but you don't know who will show. I think they originally came for the beer but now they come for the company. When a bar becomes your bar, you become bold, comfortable and a bit real. Sometimes the real has exploded into fights and arguments. Generally that's not always the case. I always worry about the bar since anything can happen. Luckily it hasn't been anything serious. Anyway... let's see if we can keep it going a few more years.

In Korea, you really have to be a first mover. If not, you'll never get off the ground. Being in Korea for 10 years, I have been owned or partnered in a number of businesses. Some have worked and some have not. The one thing I do know is that if you want to survive you have to look like you are doing terrible that you should be humble and that you are just getting by. This will keep you under the radar.  The problem with this is that my background is marketing and that I was born with the American Entrepeneural spirit (I know that sounds cheesy). My upbringing dictated that you should always look successful despite all the challenges and pitfalls.  If you look successful then people will copy. Sometimes a straight up copy or a gaudier, upgraded copy with cut corners. They will tackle price points to the point they will make no money. They will do all this to steal walk-by customers. It seems there is no honor or community in the business industry here. Every business wants to ...

A special thanks to the production team from the BBC to come to our little bar, Brew 3.15 in Seoul to interview me about being a young entrepreneur in Korea. Thanks!  A question that I am asked frequently is, "Daniel, is it difficult to start a business in Korea?" I have to say, "yes and no." It first depends on the type of business you are trying to start and your visa status. I won't go into all the different visas and such. I mean you can find that out here:  http://southkorea.angloinfo.com/working/starting-a-business/  Apparently, now if you are trying to get a foreign investor visa you need to invest 100 million into the country. But I have heard this figure change from 50 million to 250 million. I have an F-4 visa which means I am an overseas Korean. If I was married to a Korean, I could get an F-2, or I could get an F-5 visa (permanent resident) visa and I could easily do business here. So...if you have a visa that will let you work here then th...

The first job I had when I was 15 years old was as a dishwasher at a pancake restaurant. Since then I have run a catering business, been a barista and a bartender. I have worked as a teacher, a marketer and a business owner. So at 35 why am I washing dishes? I don't know really, but I can tell you washing dishes does give perspective. I am not better than my employees nor my cook. I am the same and I do what needs to be done as part of a team. Sure, that is what I tell myself. But seriously, why am I washing dishes? In my time I have also built several successful businesses for my employers and now I am the main owner of this somewhat successful pizza shop. I guess it is because it needs to get done. If I can do this well then I can do other things well and hopefully people will respect me. The dishes keep on coming though and I am like, "haven't I made it yet?" I started the restaurant because I wanted to try it. The business plan seemed right and I had the extra mon...

Our small little pub in the back alleys of Ikseongdong had done well. It is filled most nights and we are planning on opening during the day. We have a good group of regulars that come frequently and business is steady. All seems right, right? Wrong. The neighbors complain more and more as we emerge from a quiet impossibility to a local speakeasy. We get notes from angry neighbors about the noise and the trash and about the foreigners that frequent the bar. They will complain with each other and with the other "Korean" businesses around us. They spread rumors about this and that and they paint us as an outsider to their quiet quaint neighborhood. However, I know the truth. The spot where our bar is and the empty lot a block over and most of the areas around us are stale with notoriety. Our building used to be a house of prostitution and so was the building that used to be in the empty lot. The building in the empty lot used to be one of the most famous Giseng houses in ...