New beginnings (52)

February 2021 is almost over, and so are my reflections over my business career so far. When the pandemic took us by surprise and the world closed down, we all got more time. Time to think of what we do and why. What made us take the path we did.

I always saw myself as a man doing what I dreamt of, following my own path, but wen I look back I can see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. I am my parents' son. An entrepreneur at heart. A family man. I could never have done this without my family, and when I see who my children have become, I am proud. They will challenge the world in their own way and do it well. And we will always be tight.

My journey has gone up and down, as all of you who have followed my story have seen. The last year, terrible for so many, has however made us focus on what is important and do it even better. The focus is on gloves and only gloves.

We have signed partnerships with the big brands in China and Pakistan and we are looking at a bright future. The business is going better than in many years and the whole company is focused on one thing.

We will be the best choice for anyone needing gloves. The glove specialist for everyone. Everyone in the world?

Behind the scenes (51)

There she is, my wife who was once the 87th most influential woman in Sweden. Today, I can only thank her for her continued sacrifice, which has helped lead both the children and me to success. She decided to leave her work and let other things in life become more important, which was a very big step. I have an endless amount of respect for her for doing this, and I hope that she will never regret making this decision. It is the whole family's duty to thank her for everything that she has done for us. Without her, my dreams would never have come true. So once again, there is a strong woman behind every successful man.

I thank you and I love you!

 

Business or family decisions (50)

In 2004 we arrive in Malaysia, a family of four. Our kids are about to turn seven and eleven. We plan to stay for two years. When the time is up I get involved in a business in Pakistan and we decide to stay. A business decision. Two more years is the plan.

When the first four years in Malaysia come to an end, our daughter is in her last year of middle school. The schools here are amazing. Both the kids are enjoying their time, doing well in school, being very active in sports. A lot of their friends from all over the world come around to our place. What a gift! We decide to stay until our daughter finishes high school. Four more years. A family decision. An easy one. The life here has made our family stronger and closer. We all share being in this adventure.

In 2012 our daughter moves to London for university. We decide to stay on for our son to finish high school as well. Three more years. Another family based decision. In 2015 we watch him give the Valedictorian speech at MKIS. We are so immensely proud and we both agree - the decision to stay all these years has been the right one.

When you are an entrepreneur it is all about team work and, remember, your most important team is your family.

Staying in focus (49)

Fifteen years ago we started to sell all types of work wear It is time for a change.

Selling one type of work wear, like gloves, will make you a specialist and your knowledge is deep. We can control models, colors and materials. We purchase and keep track of the stock. 

When you sell all types of work wear you are not in control in the same way. A lot of our money is tied into the stock of other companies' products. When a model or a color is changed we are not always informed and our customers get irritated. Sometimes the stock is obsolete, or we cannot get enough stock from the companies that we sell for.

We realize that we are no longer in charge, we are just one dealer among others. No one wants to discuss new projects or new models. Things happen over our heads. And when we start losing sales to other dealers, the turnover from gloves goes down as well. The core of our business is in danger.

It seems like a drastic decision to end what we have built up. But we strongly feel that we need to go back to our core business, gloves. Back to being the best choice there is for creating what the customer wants and needs.

For a few years we lost focus and flexibility. Now we are taking it back!

Learning the skills! (48)

Same as when I grew up, our children have heard endless discussions during dinner about Soft Touch and how to make a good deal. As a parent you have no idea if they listen or what they learn from it.

When our daughter is eleven, she wants to buy a new digital camera. To get enough money she wants to sell her old one. I have never really seen the charm of a digital camera. I have always been more of an old-fashioned guy when it comes to taking pictures. But, now I have a chance to buy one for a good price.

Our daughter does her research online and comes back with a price. I bargain like crazy and finally I get it at a much lower price. I am a bit surprised that she doesn't look more disappointed. I go through the list of what I am buying: camera, memory stick, case. She nods at every word. Money changes hands.

When I am about to use the camera I discover that it is out of battery. I go back to my daughter and ask for the charger. "You never bought it", she says. "It is not on your list". With my head bowed I have to go and get more money and buy the charger and my daughter now has a smile on her face.

Now I know for sure that they have been listening - and understanding - our discussions at the dinner table.

Looking for the best office (47)

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur 2004, I don't have an office. Since we are just going to stay for two years I don't really see the point We have a two story apartment and I buy myself a desk and make a small office under the stairs. Every other week I travel to our office in Hong Kong. It is so much better to travel from Malaysia. A trip of only four hours now. I rent a small place in Hong Kong since I spend so much time there.

After two years, due to our business in Pakistan, among other things, we decide to stay on. The children get older and sometimes it is hard do work from home. I cannot tell them to be quiet all the time. They must have time to play with their friends.

So, in 2008, I rent a serviced office and at the same time I get my first colleague here. One year later it is decided that we should get our own place and we buy an office in Plaza Mont Kiara. This is the official step towards staying in Malaysia. We start hiring staff from Sweden and in 2010 we open our call center and customer support here. It will be a way of saving money and try if we can work in several time zones. On the day of our opening I have to leave early realizing that I have dengue fever. What a start to our project!

Soft Touch and charity - part 2 (46)

Swedish financial aid has gone from sending money to doing projects that will be beneficial for the country that is in need of help. This is where Soft Touch comes in. We have, for some time, been looking into buying more from Pakistan, but in many places the factories are not up to modern standards. After some research we find two factories willing to change and try something new. SIDA and Soft Touch can, in 2005, start a project together.

SIDA is giving financial contributions and Soft Touch is helping with the transfer of knowledge. During the years to come, there will be many trips to Pakistan and endless meetings. How should a factory use patterns in the best way? Which is the best way to produce and how to ensure that the quality is stable?

When our project is finished from our side, more than a thousand people have new jobs, families will survive and new skills have been learnt. 

We change our production location of P-209 from China to Pakistan, from pig skin to goat leather, and today we buy around a million pairs per year, of this model alone.

I look back with pride at what we did together. In a small way we helped to change the world for the better. There is a lot to do for companies who wish to help.