|
|
Jenny Thienposuwan at her new ice-cream shop, Red Mango, in Siam Centre.
|
SOOPSIP
There's no free lunch
In this era of hard-earned money, we've seen so many spas, pubs and restaurants that belong to actors and actresses.
Published on March 6, 2008
They too want higher incomes and a fallback just in case their popularity fades. Think Jenny Thienposuwan's new ice-cream shop, Phol Tantasatien's restaurant and Meesuk "Kai" Jangmeesuk's spa, and you get the picture. Don't assume that their names are sure bet for success. A recent survey by the Industry Ministry's Industrial Promotion Department (IPD) reveals more than 100 star entreprenuers with a combined investment of more than Bt200 million. But only half of them survive commercially while the rest became a victim of their own stardom. Their celebrity friends like to come and enjoy free food or services, or are given steep discounts. The stars also face the problem of busy schedules, so can't really take care of their businesses. So rule No 1 if they want to stay afloat is "never make anything on the house and never give too generous a discount". But if they fail to adhere to the rule, they can attend a 100-hour course offered by the IPD, starting in May. The training is not a guarantee for success, but at least half of the businesspeople attending the course have gone on to be profitable in business - the true stars of Thailand.
|
 |
|
