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!