評論
打印
28 Starting Small
從小事做起
They say it's best to start with something small when you're trying to build a business.
他們說當你要建立一個企業時，最好先從小事做起。
So I started with belt buckles.
于是，我開始做皮帶扣生意，
It's a good building block for a clothing business.
這是服裝生意的一大基礎。
Fortunately, I had a buddy already in the business so he helped me to set up a store.
幸運的是，我有個哥們是搞這生意的，于是他幫我開了一家商店。
The buckles I sell are made out of bronze.
我賣的皮帶扣是銅質的。
Bronze is a brownish colored metal that matched every color of clothing including brown garments.
銅是一種呈棕色的金屬，它能搭配各種顏色（自然包括棕色）的服裝。
They're not at all brittle.
我賣的皮帶扣絕不是一碰就碎的東西，
In fact, they are strong and long lasting.
相反它結實耐用。
My buckles are made in Spain by the best craftsmen alive since the Bronze Age.
我的皮帶扣由青銅器時代以來最優秀的工匠在西班牙制成。
I save a lot of money by exporting them in bulky contains that are filled to the brim.
我將滿載皮帶扣的巨大集裝箱出口，從而攢了不少的錢。
The clothing business is very competitive and it can be brutal at times.
服裝業競爭激烈，有時競爭相當殘酷。
I suppose it's better than selling light bulbs.
我想這還是比賣燈泡好。
Some customers are rather brusque and don't seem to like conversation.
有些顧客相當粗魯，也不愿多說話。
It doesn't bother me.
不過我不在乎。
I try to run a brisk business by selling most of my products in bulk at a discount.
通過以優惠價批量出售大部分產品，我努力把企業辦得興旺發達。
As long as I keep to my budget, I can make a profit,
只要我嚴格按照預算行事，就能盈利。
My goal is to broaden my business by the end of the year by adding belts and hats to my product line.
我的目標是到年底擴大經營范圍，將皮帶和帽子加入生產線。
I also want to publish a brochure of my goods.
我還想出版一本產品介紹手冊。
If I succeed at making a good profit, maybe I can buy that house by the brook that I've always wanted.
如果我能大筆盈利，也許我會買下小溪邊我夢寐以求的房子。
Every time I feel exhausted by the demands of my business, I close my eyes and dream of that house.
每當我被生意上的種種需求折騰得筋疲力盡時，我就會閉上眼睛，夢見那棟房子。
I think of the cool water coming from the nearby brook.
我想到屋旁小溪里的溪水的清涼；
I imagine the sweet smell of flower buds in the garden.
我想象著花園里蓓蕾的芬芳；
And I picture myself sitting in a big bathtub full of bubbles.
我想象著自己坐在一個滿是泡泡的大浴缸里。
