Searching for a partner

The search is no easy peasy feat. The one has to be someone whom I am able to work with, someone whom I am able to argue constructively with, someone whom has integrity, someone whom is business-minded, someone whom complements me at work (skills wise, views wise)... this list is endless.

At the same time, I realised that there is never a perfect partner. When I enter into a partnership, I will just want/have to make things work. Everything requires effort. Perhaps, partnering with someone who thinks alike may be an avoidance for conflict but the likely result is group think. (I was thinking too much about what I learnt under "Organisational Behaviour".)

I set forth my search.

It was in a voting talent search (like what is really popular these days) format. I publicised my search, selected a perfect time and venue for the preliminary rounds. It was a display of one's talent (才艺表演) where the Contestants had to perform at least 10 death-defying acts or acts with entertainment value (juggling 5 balls, 吞剑, 喷火, 胸口碎大石... I can't think of 10). I have a panel of 5 judges consisting friends who will grade different aspects of these performances. The Contestants have to garner at least 3 out of the 5 votes, to enter into second round.

In the second round, the Contestants have to choreograph 3 death-defying talents into a gala show. There will be a panel of 10 judges to score their performance. From there, there will be a top 12 which enter into the final stage.

In the last leg, there will be 8 weekly performances with different themes each night. The public calls in to vote and the Contestant with the least votes each week, get eliminated. In the Grand Finals which will be held at Singapore Indoor Stadium and telecast live, it will be a grand showdown where the public still gets to vote (50%) and also be judged by a panel of 5 judges (50%).

The Winner gets to be my business partner.

Other than having superb entertainment value, I don't see how my commercialised ideas might help in my search. Plus, who is going to bear the costs of my search?!! In the end, I still found my partner without going through the above hassle.

Well, things always work out don't they?

The Beginning

On the fateful night (20 March 2008), I met my Primary 1 bestie (LX) for dinner. It was a chosen auspicious date 'coz... the next day was Good Friday which means we needn't wake up early for work!

While we were pigging out (on grilled salmons) at a Japanese eatery, we started talking excitedly. LX owned her own business and it went on for a few months till her partners and her, wrapped things up. She asked me to guess what business she was into.

I was guessing for quite long before I hit the bingo. She ran a Dating Agency! OMG! She lived my ambition, while I merely joked about it all these years. That's the difference between a go-getter and a procrastinator. I was highly excited and asked LX a series of questions about her business.

We could feel the menacing stares from hungry customers awaiting their empty seats, darting in our directions. We quickly asked for our bill, and made our exit.

We adjourned at the prata store a few shops down the road. Right after our Japanese main courses, we were devouring pratas and Milo Dinosaurs. I guess, dreams cause excitement and excitement triggers hunger.

The business talk went on for a long time and I was almost convinced that I could live the dream as well, the business I had in mind was feasible. I felt consumed by excitement.

I updated my Ambition List:
1. Cosmetic counter girl - Alas! I saw an opening but had too much doubts in myself
2. Book shop owner - One will worked till he/she drops, trying to cover premises rental
3. CD shop owner - Ditto
4. Chinese Calligrapher in Chinatown - I stopped practising my Chinese Calligraphy
5. Sailor for the bum boat to Pulau Ubin - I haven't gotten my vocational licence
6. Dating agency boss