Changing our lives (44)

A new life is beginning. It is the 4th of January 2004 and we have actually done it. We are now on a plane to Kuala Lumpur with two children and four suitcases. No big company is helping with the move or the visa process. We will do everything on our own.

A family on a plane ready to start a new life for two years. Everyone is excited! The children have had tutoring in English since they are too young to have learnt any in school yet. Now awaits a life in international schools and a tougher school system.

My wife and I have to discover a whole new life. New friends, where to shop, where is the bank, can we find Swedish things and where to live? The job will be almost the same, just in a new environment and on my own.

At this moment, this family on a plane has no idea how their life is about to change. No one has any clue that almost twenty years later we will still be in KL, that my wife and I will be working in the business together with many more and that our children will be in London first studying, then working, building homes and starting new families. A tough but yet happy and fulfilling life for all of us.

But right now, we are just a family on a plane going on an adventure. 

Dare to jump (43)

As I have done for years, I continue to travel a lot for my work. My wife has her own career as a finance director for a property company and works long hours with some travelling as well. We both love our jobs, but with two young children life is quite hectic. It is all about planning and not so much about having fun.

In 2003 we go on a family trip to Malaysia. We have been here before, visiting friends, and it is a lovely place. Beautiful nature, beaches, warm and nice, lots of restaurants and very modern in many ways. We have a couple of weeks to relax and just enjoy spending time with our children.

On our last day, after having left the hotel, our taxi driver takes us to see some new developments in Kuala Lumpur, just for fun. Everything looks amazing.

When we are back in Sweden a new idea takes form. What if we would do something totally crazy like moving to Malaysia for two years. For me it would be perfect, being closer to our suppliers, working with quality and logistics. My wife could take a two year leave from her work and spend some time with our children. Quality time that we have been missing. Do we dare to do the jump?

Time to move (42)

We are now in the year of 2003 and about to make our biggest investment so far. Due to our new business model, with the internet portal for all types of PPE, our current building has become too small. It is time to move again.

After much research a new property is found. This time in Partille, around 10 kilometers outside Gothenburg, and closer to our home. It is a big place, over 5,800 square meters with 90 percent warehouse and 10 percent office space.

The property is located just next to the highway and the area is up and coming. Big shops and a new mall is being constructed very close by.

Another investment is done as well. We buy automated stock machines to be able to handle the large amount of goods. We are having too much to do and need to make it easier for our staff, as well as make it easier to keep track of where everything is. It is a big place and something for us to grow in.

Late in 2003 we finally move into our new place. It is, as always when you move, a lot to organize. But, it gives us all a new start. This is a place where we can stay for a long time. Little do we know that the new year will mean a lot of changes for both Soft Touch and me privately.