Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sadguy]

if you're in korea for the long haul, what would you want to do? be a teacher? or eventually do something else?

i don't see myself teaching esl forever. i'm thinking about eventually opening up a business. i thought a little food shack would be nice, i like to cook southeast asian food, and there's no real authentic viet restaurant in seoul. but then i thought some more... my family owns their own hair and nail shop back in the states. all of my aunts and uncles do.

do you think it'd be profitable to have a nail shop here? i've seen a few prices and they seem to charge more than in the US. plus, you're selling a service, not a product, so there'd be very little inventory to worry about, and you wouldn't need a big shop.

and women in korea are always trying to look nice.

what do you think?

[hondaicivic]

[ThingsComeAround]

I would like to tell you your authentic plan is going to go over well, but you'd better have the ambiance of a SEAsian dive or change the recipe quickly or it won't work. Depending on who you market to, Koreans or 'other', will determine if you are a success or not.

Personally, I'd rather not own my own business. Partner, sure. Another field, okay. But my own business? Nah. I like holidays and time away from work

[hittheball]

Hi.. I am a Korean who is working in Gwangju. I can understand what you mean. But I think it is very dangerous to have you own business here because there's only a few people earning lots of money through the business. first of all, when you is about to open your business, you feel the money you need is extremely much. (I think it will be at least 300million won in any case generally.) Then, it is hard to survive in the market because you have to invest more money as time passes. If you have lots of money and don't know how to spend them, it is okay. But hair shop or nail shop, I think it will be harder than other business i think so.;; no offense

and sorry if you don't understand me, actually i am not good at English ;;

[jfromtheway]

[sadguy]

the thing about a hair and nail shop is that it caters to women. women are the everyday consumers. men make big purchases, women make smaller ones. and in this society, they always want to look dolled up. there's a demand for it, and there's plenty of supply, but a lot of times, it depends on location and convenience. of course i wouldn't go into this venture alone. i'd come up with a business model and propose it to other people who want to invest.

and for people who say they dont' want to be a business owner because they want to have vacation days? have you ever thought of having someone else run your store while you're away?

[Paddycakes]

Start a Coffee Shop... there's only about 5 of them on every corner now... why not make it 6!

[Mr. Peabody]

Have you seen how many hair and nail shops are in Seoul these days? They're right up there with coffee shops. Better jump on the band-wagon quick!

[sadguy]

[lawyertood]

I've got a great idea!


Call it "Nails and Studs."(TM) Sort of a Chippendales meets chipped nails. Get studly men in scanty clothes to entertain the ajumas while they are getting their nails done.

[Mr. Peabody]