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At some point, most expats in Japan have a rare moment of inspiration; “Now that would definitely be a hit in Japan!” we say confidently, or “Why didn’t anyone think of that before?”
Indeed, great ideas abound but few of us have the courage to bet our livelihood on them. This article is written for those of you who have come up with a business idea and want to see how good it is. Be warned, this article asks some difficult questions to challenge your idea. But if you still have confidence at the end, then you might just be on to something! So let’s start with a reality check.
Read more here by Marcus Yeung, founder and CEO of Smooch Japan KK, the pioneer of the smoothie market in Japan, as well as ConceptBank KK which is an investment company bringing hit business concepts from overseas to Japan.
© Japan Today
10 Comments
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thepro
there's a smoothie market here?
nath
That was a fun read, Marcus. Not long-winded and very down to earth. I Look forward to the next article.
TokyoXtreme
How about portable noise cancellers that create a 2-meter bubble that surrounds the user in an envelope of silent bliss? Perfect for train stations, Shibuya streets, and department store escalators!
electric2004
TokyoXtreme:
It exists as a headset, for example from Bose.
TokyoXtreme
Or how about some "diminished reality" glasses that digitally erase all the annoying flashing lights, sirens, loanshark advertisements, etc from a user's field of vision? We're talking some real heaven-on-earth technology right now.
kirakira25
Marcus Yeung - smoothie king, hit business concept importer, and something of a hottie as well by the looks of it!!!
tokyokawasaki
I'm sorry, but the content/advice within the article was so obvious (to me at-least)and very basic. Is there going to be a follow up article with a bit more substance?
BurakuminDes
Yes, I have a great business idea! Ask other people to outline their great business ideas on an open forum like JT - then steal the idea, copyright it and start marketing it. Surefire way to a fortune!
Just kidding. I liked the article too, and wasn't aware that ebay Japan had tanked? I wish I could get those smoothies in my small city...
sf2k
@BurakuminDes
Dang, you stole my idea...
illsayit
I think this article is trying to stimulate the average 'business' orientated person, to realize that it has nothing to do with this linked article, or the country. It is a matter of the business person being committed to their venture. Anybody can see the opportunities, and draw up the numbers and the profit margins. Really. It is a matter of delving into your own pocket to get it started and then following through with it, because you do believe it is a good idea and what is needed or wanted for in the community. It means having to do the hard and dirty work, and swallowing your pride at times when you still cant see yourself out of the red, and not just calculating in an employees wage, so that the work gets done. It means forgetting about spending on sales, and just being there to do the sale. It means looking after your customers-providing good quality and also your workers, so that they can feel the responsibility and yet not need to take the economical crunching. If you can handle that, then Japan is a great place for business investment, there is heaps of people. Even in a town of 30000 you can make a large profit from even smooties if you just commit yourself. So byebye big smoochers and your big throw around money. Japan has plenty of that-that s why it seems difficult to you, because you just like doing the equations.