The last 12 months have what you could say been very interesting indeed, and in life I believe each day is always another learning day and that certainly has been the case over the last 12 months that's for sure , a time which found out who your your friends really were in life and business and those who stood by principals and loyalty in which I believe in, and those that don't but purport to which has often unfortunately left a feeling of some bitterness at times especially the recent last 12 months but now that chapter of life ends as we seek fortune and goodwill forthcoming from the future without dwelling on the past. A future as we become the sales arm within the European markets for our new partners from a different continent where in future we bring " quality furniture that doesn't cost a fortune"
The last 12 months have been very interesting indeed to say the least , firstly the legal disputes over the termination and the financial settlement causing a great strain on my family of 6 children and Wife, to which brought about great stress and was totally undeserved after what Direct Design had produced and given its undivided loyalty to for so many years , to which even until today many retailers still greatly benefit from, and to the final end came down to the evil of money and greed. The one thing I always reminded myself during these awkward times of stress especially more on my family was that nobody could take away my experience and contacts within the furniture Industry of which in some shape or form for over 20 years now. Nobody could either take away my pride or my determination to move forward further and achieve even hopefully greater achievements that had been gained previously .
Life will always go on whatever and my belief has been to focus on the future , without dwelling on the past as Karma will take care of all the evil forces, and one of life's 2 oldest sayings " what goes around, comes around" and " always treat others the way you expect to be treated yourself". Something that I have been very mindful of in the last 12 months more than ever. At times when frustrations were at boiling point it was even more important to take stock, take a deep breath and remember those principals. Some of those principals were heavily reminded to me during the darkest times , someone whilst knowing him as a person for many years became a true , loyal , experienced friend and a person who till the day I leave this world will always be thankful for coming into my life the way he did and offering me his wisdom , he would be embarrassed if I were to name him, he's that type of person, but he knows who he is and I know he will be reading this shortly no doubt, and as you are my loyal friend one extra thing I have to say it very simple terms is - " Cheers Mate" i'm there for you whatever.
At the same time of course having to have to fight for myself from the young age of 15 after being brought up alone by my Father who served for 30 years in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm taking him to sea on many aircraft carriers including National Wars which took him away for long periods leaving me " home alone" on many occasions whilst growing up under the nearby watchful eye of Auntie George in Salisbury ( she was easy to hoodwink!) I grew up to learn from any early age that whilst I wished to offer out loyalty those you did to, many were of more selfish nature and would never offer the same loyalty in return, unfortunately that is a realism of life that you learn as you go along.
It's especially rife in this cottage industry of ours today of the wooden furniture business, and those who purport to be a friend in reality are only after one thing, self gain. This again was evident over the last 12 months too with a certain to be unnamed person, in fact with reflection there in probability is more than one anyway as there always is , but after a previous experience after my first meeting with this person, many years ago ,even taking him in to my family home during his darkest hours as his own marriage fell apart, introducing him to the wood business in which he thrives today , I knew his card, the message to you my former friend is simple " have a nice life" because your simply not worthy of me wasting any more time of my life within your life, your colours were learnt many years ago when you failed me then.
Anyway like I say in any cottage industry there is always going to be with especially the unknown, speculation, gossip and untruths and anyone who believes any different and thinks it doesn't get changed,switched or repeated needs to open their eyes very quickly! and with that in mind at all times over the last 12 months has brought some great humour at times as well as showing others true colours , whilst let's be honest in life you can only count your true friends on ten fingers in reality, but to all those associates I have to thank for all the humour, it's brought many smiles at times whilst the lengthy setting up of the " new chapter " has been taking place. Before I move on to the " new Chapter " and reveal all the details I would like to thank certain persons with their help in getting us to this position today.
David Hammond, , thank you for being there when you were there , it was a pleasure to work with you even for the short period it was . Thanks Dave.
Andy Curry , simple words " Top Man"
Gerry Jackson - When times were down your friendship was quality and your advice and direction was quality especially at Manchester!
Ken Rooney - A true gent.
Scott Khan - advice , friendship and an inspiration after all our previous " heads v heads " in the art of competition , to think we still shared the maternity clinic together in Singapore!
Ashley Howe - loyal to the core .
Daniel Zhang , your shared knowledge around Asia, simply returning what you called a favour in return showing us pastures new when you didn't need to. We thank you .
If I have missed someone , I don't think I have , please don't be offended.
So moving on now to the New Chapter , in the open now from out our latest return from 2 weeks in China with everything now fully set up and ready to go! This blog has been full of stories and humour over the last 12 months to which many of you have expressed how much you have enjoyed it , so it's my train of thought the best way to finish the last chapter in the same style, nothing of course ever goes simple and pictures always tell a good story !
Well this trip to China whilst obviously very important now that it was the final trip prior to full launch had it's moments of humour!
Paul's wife Catherine decided it would be good to add to the pressure by deciding to go overdue heavily on the birth of their second Child , flights were booked, hotels booked for the 2 week trip, not just us from the UK but Gerry and one of his staff from the US all to marry up, babies being babies , are never predictable and whilst their first Daughter Sofia arrived to the day on time, the next had other plans, and decided to make a very late appearance , to be precise just 13 hours before take off!!
Late Lucas will always be his nickname that's for sure ! And shortly we shall introduce a LL range!
But just like his Dad soon relaxed with a bottle oblivious to the pressure he had caused!
A few hours later it was time to leave "LL" and head east for 2 weeks , something that clearly showed Paul's commitment to the future - it was to be daily photo's of his new son for the first 14 days of his life, but 14 days that will hopefully benefit him for years to come.
Amsterdam Airport was the first time we got to wet "LL's " little head,
With that little job out of the way , it was time to get to Beijing firstly and make the meet with our partners in China ,
Greeted by Vincent at Beijing some 13hrs later and all Gerry want's to do is talk business, the man's energy levels we thought were superb until we realised we had flown " cattle class" whilst he took the first class bed on his flight! Sleep was all we wanted to do but Gerry had different ideas!
Although we did have a chuckle as Gerry's taste in colour of socks was so 80's!!! All that money and still white socks and " sneakers" as he calls them!
There was never going to be any rest or sightseeing on this trip, 2 weeks away trying to keep up with the UK time zones certainly takes its toll! After a nights sleep and 2 days in Beijing finalising all the drawings and designs that we are shortly to launch to market it was time to jump on the plane again to Qindango then to the factories which are to produce these ranges and get the samples made from the drawings, these ranges look superb and will shortly be launched with full pricing, it's ironic that the first factory that via Gerry a few years ago we went to was where we had our first real oak unit made when we thought of making the old Oakleigh design in oak instead of Ash, sometimes it's funny how things go in full circles and we are all now together in full production now.
After 9 days of all the organising that goes with not only producing new furniture but starting up the production runs to build up the large stocks to offer just 4-5 week lead times , it was then time to board the big bird again down to Shanghai , the City on the river. This is where our head offices are based and it was time to finalise fully all the legalities to ensure a British speaking office and ensure the finest communications to maximise the perfect service delivering " Quality furniture that doesn't cost a fortune".
Now with everything in place , stock building, new designs, new woods , it was time to at last return homebound and hit the market fully as planned being able now to give UK full coverage with a 4-5 week lead time as well as not having to purchase furniture by container in a reasonable time at a price that doesn't cost a fortune!
But before that launch tonight there was one little last thing to do on our return,
Yes " LL" was safely in the arms of his big Sister!
Ladies and Gentleman, we now proudly present you with
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A name the market will soon get to remember for exactly what we say " Quality furniture that doesn't cost a fortune". Become a Stockist of Fortune Woods today for the best future in retailing of Oak and Hardwood Bedroom , Dining And Occasional Furniture.
To view samples of our great new ranges and designs please contact in future Stevefortunewoods@mail.com or at anytime call me on 07761 482101.
4 sales staff shortly across the UK go operational.
We shall shortly be announcing showrooms across the UK in 4 locations to which you can view our full products, if you wish to go further and visit our factories and showroom in China again this available for suitable customers of size now we are fully operational for the UK Market.
We also look forward to seeing you at the Manchester Furniture Show on our stand for the first time but would urge you to become a stockist far before then to tie up your area exclusivity in which we shall always honour.
Our new daily/weekly update internet pages can be found online at www.fortunewoods.wordpress.com
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As Walt Disney always ends " That's it Folks" and now after a long 12 months we are finally there and fully operational.
Finally a big thank you to the thousands of readers to this blog and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have written it over the last year even if we have thrown a full smoke screens along the way. We look forward to seeing you either at our China factories/Offices, UK showrooms or simply at your store.
Just like little " LL" a new life and chapter begins, the past is now the past, and here's to good fortune to all and you will certainly get that with Fortune Woods,
Cheers !
WWW.FORTUNEWOODS.WORDPRESS.COM
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