Opening my small Shop with less than 500KD budget!!!! challenge Accepted!!

Opening a business in Kuwait is really stressful and expensive, you have to be mentally, physically and most specially financially prepared,  though, I honestly not well prepared to start but I just felt that, I have to start somewhere, My budget is really tight as I have no partner/s to share the burdens, so I have to make things work to my advantage with a very limited resources and connections.

Having said that, Not everyone can start a legal business in Kuwait, but anyone can be an entrepreneur, it’s my dream one day to own a company and create a name for myself, such dream is almost impossible to achieve especially with my expat status in a country where everything is complicated,

It took me years to finally open my small gift shop , and Oh my GAWD!! the amount of stress and difficulties is almost unbearable!!  I thought, that getting the business license approved is all there is to do but that is just the beginning there’s more to it, the manpower license, signatory documents, bank opening, Kuwait chamber of commerce and the list goes on and on, every move needs money 😕😕(lots of it!!) and personally working into all these task makes me realized how hard it is to be MANDOOP, it's tough!! lots of paperworks, running, talking and rejections,  it's crazzzyyyyyy!!! kudos to our all the good mandoops out there!!!

So moving forward,  In many challenges I've came across to have this business up and running, it is the shop interiors, POS system and related things that boost so much of my creativity, Imagine!!, having less than 500KD for shop interiors, decorations and POS system, I need a miracle to pull things together in 7 days,  and glad I made it!!  

so I'm sharing the journey, the how's of opening my physical shop with less than 500KD budget on the interiors and the POS system,  

Well, It's not too fancy nor extravagant design just presentable enough to welcome the customers on the initial opening, I'm sure in months to come I will upgrade and do more beautification, but for now, I'm more than happy with the way things are and I will always cherish the experience and how I made it thru!

Suppliers:

The GOLDEN LOCK - in Shuwaikh

Wood Panels, Wall deco, colored Ply wood, Partition steel, screw, nails, hanging hooks and metal shelving Metal panels

LUMBER Shop also on same location of Golden Lock,  back area 

Some items from Ikea and other department store ( Black shelves, Basket, Vinyl Containers, boxes)

POS system " LOYVERSE" 3kd per month ( FULL POS system with Inventory & Sales), Receipt Printer is 30KD + 3KD for 20rolls of receipts

Overall total is around 375 KD with Labors, completed in 7 days without Weekends

Mission Accomplished!!!!

UnKNOWN Person Fires shots near central prison in FARWANIYA

I just happen to see it on my instagram feeds, a person suddenly stopped on the busy street of Farwaniya and fires shots, the scary thing is, for every shot there is somehow a wandering bullet,  how can a person avail a gun and carelessly used it in public.... why?!!

Check out the video Masaha NEWS

My First Bugsha Market Experience in Kuwait

 After opening my first ever small gift shop in Kuwait, I decided to join StreetFood BUGSHA market, it's one of the biggest 3 days local fair, showcasing the best street foods and creative products from local retail shops,  I’m an avid fan of fairs and exhibits, I should say that, this particular organization is definitely a winner, very organize and the marketing itself is superb!! One big clap to the whole team!!

So let me take you to the whole process and experience of being part of the event, It's amazing how universe find its way to make things POSSIBLE!! DREAMS do COME true!!

DAY 1 – THURSDAY

For first timer like me, well, not fully "first timer" I've joined fairs several times I’m actually not very new to this, but for some reason, I felt so pressured and stress when I just want to  Enjoy the experience and make a lot of money (lols),  so the on the1st  day, the excitement turn to sour because I was sick, I’m on duty at my regular work and the worst is,  I did not prepare my things… I felt like I was on the verge of falling apart!! , the organizer called me as I am the one booth who did not do decorations with only 3 hours to the opening, I’m super stress and physically weak on the first day that I have to share same stress to my husband and sister, because that’s what family for!!  we shared the stress!!! Hahahaha….. Hubby went extra mile taking off from work just to get the stocks from the shop, and my sister with her hubby which coincidently on short vacation they are free as a bird, they drove extra fast to gather decorations and get things done… in short my first day was a disaster and a miracle, I dearly witnessed the love and care of the people I called family, we managed to pull things off with very limited resources, went on display  just in-TIME…. And Surprisingly sell many things on the first day!!

By the way, NBK was one of the Major sponsor yet it super hard to get their assistance even if I am as well an NBK customer for years, I was applying for certificate to get K-NET service via TAP, I visited my branch to submit documents and do follow-up, their response is to wait for 5-7 days which is already after the show,  (not even certain if they are going to approve)  it's crazy!!!  

For First timers/joiners and you want to have the KNET service, GULF BANK and BOUBYAN BANK are very accommodating and fast, have all your documents prepared and submit, it takes 2-3 days to issue the certificate. Highly recommended specially for EXPATS, you won't feel any discrimination at all!

DAY 2 -3 – FRIDAY & SATURDAY

After all the first day drama and mistakes, I’ve learned  a lot, so I woke up early, or better yet I did not sleep the entire night, preparing things, I close the shop temporarily for 2 days  and apply for early leave at work so I can  focus on the last two days of the event,

We started very early and multitasked (eating while working hehehe) till we are fully satisfied with the designs and decoration, I was so ready and well prepared on the 2^nd day, as the exhibit opened I can feel my energy comes into very positive state,  the entire family was with me , all out support!!! 

I always believed that, when preparation meets opportunity it’s a bomb!!! And that’s what I felt in that instant!! It feels good to do your thing with the people who sincerely support your passion!!

Overall, it was a great experience, super TIRING but it’s all worth it… should I’ll be joining the next one???  Well, not now…I super need rest, and I know, I still have to fully prepared and commit myself entirely because joining such event is not easy, its physically and mentally tensed but every after challenges is worthwhile!!!   Perhaps, in the next season I will be back!!

Thank you so much STREETFOOD event for the experience!!!! and to my FAMILY, you are all  that I have,  I am blessed and grateful to have such amazing people supporting and sincerely loving me for who I truly am  and in the craziest things I want to do in life!!

 

Enjoying the Fog in Kuwait

I can say that this year's winter is somewhat I truly enjoy, maybe becoz I’m getting older and matured I am becoming more appreciative of little things, like flowers, weather, coffee and many more, I don’t usually see these things as I feel it’s just part of my routine but after COVID and so many traumatic experiences, I came to a point where sunshine, water or air is just as important as living a life every single day.

One day, I woke into a cold foggy morning!! I smiled and Thank God for the moment, I hurriedly get dress for work, drive myself into the invisibility of the weather, it’s AMAZING!!!  I felt like I’m in another realm, so peaceful and heavenly!

 Enjoy every moment of Everyday, Take chances and live your life!!!

 

Watching Horse Racing in kuwait

I was one of many thinking that watching horse race is such a momentous,  a glam event with fab clothes  and over the top hats, I was expecting something like what I saw on TV specially races  like the Kentucky derby nor the Royal race events. 

So what's its like to watch Horse RACE in Kuwait, let me take you first hand!! lols..

Horse Racing happens every  Monday at the hunting and Equestrian club, it's public:  FREE admission, you just have to take the race track entrance ( at the back gate)  from 3:00pm to 6:00pm ,

 it's casual you can wear whatever is comfortable to you.

Wild Flowers in Kuwait-- Yellow everywhere

Have you notice these yellow flowers in kuwait,  been in kuwaitfor  more than 10 years , I often  see naturally grown flowers anywhere, when I say "NATURALLY" it means,  no human care like it's wild and free....  so today after like days of raining, I saw these beautiful wild flowers in the nearby area at work,  It makes me happy to see them grow in abundance!! 

super nice!!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/S4JVDuNIsEg