Magzila Limited
Founder (General Manage)
Magzila was not founded on a passion for business, decoration, or event management. Instead, I began this company out of a deep desire to explore the possibilities of devoting my working experience to running a business. The decision to start Magzila reflected a willingness to step into the unknown, embracing uncertainty and the challenges of venturing into new domains. However, I was motivated by the hope of creating something meaningful and impactful. It's important to acknowledge that sometimes, our journeys begin not from a place of passion but from the courage to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth. Magzila’s story serves as a testament to the idea that meaningful ventures can arise from an eagerness to challenge oneself and explore uncharted paths. It underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and pursuing purpose in entrepreneurship.
Year 2005-2007 (Magzila Online Store)
At the beginning of this business journey, I embarked on the challenging yet exciting path of starting an online shop, reselling lower-quality innovative products purchased from China to reach customers in the USA and Hong Kong. It was challenging, starting from scratch, but I poured my heart and soul into designing an online shop that reflected my vision. I created an online shop for forums and blogs, and I took the time to upload over 2,000 mini-products for sale, hoping to connect with others who might appreciate them.
Despite my limited knowledge of traditional media marketing, I persevered, and through hard work and determination, I created an online store that reached customers and garnered media attention. I felt a mix of anxiety and joy when I saw my efforts recognized in TV segments, magazines, and newspapers. This journey has been a testament to the power of resilience and creativity in the face of challenges, and it reminds me that every step, no matter how small, is an important part of the process.
Starting the business was a significant challenge. However, it survived for nearly two years while working towards achieving a positive return on investment (ROI).
Year 2008-2010 (Magzila Decoration)
The business transformation was important because the Magzila online shop was not profitable, and I felt unsure about the following steps. I tried running an online forum, starting a blog, and boosting profits through eBay and Amazon. During this time, I began exploring new possibilities for creating a successful online business.
Ultimately, I realized that the original vision for Magzila was flawed. It was a harsh realization, but I learned that running a business involves navigating uncertainties and exploring opportunities with a sense of resilience. Despite my best efforts and the countless hours I dedicated to maintaining the online store, it became painfully clear that the business's sustainable odds were becoming increasingly grim. It’s a difficult journey, and I truly empathize with anyone else who has faced similar challenges.
One of my friends happened to work at a PR firm and was involved in a project to decorate a double-decker bus for Chinese New Year. Her client was the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Although I had never decorated a bus before—and I doubt many people have—I was eager to seize this opportunity. Despite my limited experience in design and decorating, I successfully executed the mini-project and achieved the desired result.
After completing my first project, I noticed a considerable demand for festival decoration in the local Hong Kong market. Many companies were actively seeking skilled workers to help with these decoration projects.
Typically, companies turn to either construction workers or PR firms for assistance. Construction workers excel at executing design plans but cannot often create original design illustrations. On the other hand, PR firms are skilled in managing communication but don’t usually have the design or execution expertise needed for decoration work. Although PR firms can be involved in decoration projects—similar to what my friend has done—they often don’t possess the refined design skills necessary for achieving a more visually appealing outcome.
With prompt action, a noticeable transformation took place. Although Magzila began as a competitively priced eCommerce site, its business model underwent frequent changes during the first one to two years. After this shift, the focus on festival decoration established a stable source of income.
The business didn’t start as smoothly as I had hoped. Initially, I aimed to source affordable products for an online store, but I soon shifted the focus to a festival decoration company with a project-based pricing model. Fortunately, it felt like divine guidance when my first customer reached out after seeing my online promotion. I had the opportunity to decorate for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which helped kickstart my venture.
After enduring 2-3 years of uncertainty about the company's future, Mazgila finally entered the decoration business, which led to smoother growth. During this time, I took the opportunity to restructure and enhance my festival design skills. I learned about various aspects of design, expanding my expertise from two-dimensional to three-dimensional designs. My skills now include everything from printing on A4 paper to creating banners and stickers, all while ensuring accurate design measurements based on on-site visits.
Festival Decoration: https://www.eugenieshek.com/post/company-magzila-festival-decoration
Year 2011-2016 (Magzila Event Management)
Once the company had firmly established itself in the decoration industry, a subtle yet significant shift in its business model occurred after a couple of years of steady growth. Rather than solely focusing on projects related to festival decorations, Magzila began to embrace a broader scope of work by venturing into event management. This strategic decision marked a turning point for the business, expanding its offerings and allowing for a more comprehensive service until the end of its operations.
Event Management: https://www.eugenieshek.com/post/company-magzila-event-management
Magzila’s story serves as a testament to the idea that meaningful ventures can arise from an eagerness to challenge oneself and explore uncharted paths. It underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and pursuing purpose in entrepreneurship.
By viewing the unknown as a landscape for innovation, Magzila has grown beyond its inception, embodying the principles of creativity, exploration, and meaningful contribution to its field. It is hard to explain the satisfaction level of launching an event or festival decoration project; the sleepless nights and over-exhausting lifestyle were negative.
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