Author: bjcharles

I love all things about marketing, small biz idea, and meetups. This blog is just a platform to share my thoughts and network with people like you.

El Ray Salon Spa Domlur

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
El Ray Salon and Spa

One trend in business is clear – spa and salon business dot every corner in Bangalore. This one is the latest one to open in my neighborhood. It’s not difficult to know why business people open spa or salon more than any other business. It could be the better reward for investment.

Moreover, investment and operating cost could be less than running any other store or shop.or restaurant.

Before it started, there was a yoga centre. For some reason, it wasn’t successful and this was next best business.

This spa, El Ray Salon Spa is located next to Namdhari Store.

If you want to catch the early bird discount you can contact this number 911363522 

Other spas in Domlur or Indira Nagar Locality:

1.          

Lines for Living – Quotes by Sophia Loren

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Sophia loren

Waiting for the perfect time! Tick, Tock! 

How I wasted opportunities of different shapes, one after another, just by waiting for the right hand of clock to strike.

Possible scenario:

  • Waiting for the perfect moment to deliver that punch line
  • Waited too long to start a new project
  • Sitting on an idea, then feeling disheartened on seeing it executed by someone
  • Postponed learning a new tool, new skill, eventually missing that early adopter advantage

Waiting Spills – Time, Money

All of us have some amount of regrets on how we missed the clock to tap that opportunity. That’s natural. We can’t win all the time. But, it the list of misses grows too long, then it’s time to check back on your strategy.

Over the call with a friend from US, he kind of regretted on how he missed buying Bit coin at the right time. And as the valuation surge, he’s growing restless on the opportunity missed. Another friend was saying how he should have bought a property in Bangalore before the big bull run in property market. Everyone has one or two regrets on timing.

Today is the Day to ACT

Sure, today is the time to write a blog, tell a story, call up someone you’ve not called for a long moment, gifted something new to someone you know, shown kindness, etc.

Let this quote from Sophia Loren be a reminder to do, instead of brooding or sitting over a thing in your head.

Knock, knock, Knock
Who’s there?
OPPORTUNITY
Opportunity knocks only once!

( I remember seeing the above joke in the humor magazine Pick of Punch,  which my dad used to bring home. It was the only one which I understood from the entire book. )

Topics here:

Bit Coin
Pick of Punch
Sophia Loren – Sophia Loren Mambo Italiano, Americano

Kerala Mess Indira Nagar

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
One of the Typical Kerala Mess or Kitchen in Bangalore

One of my introduced me to this kuti Kerala hotel which serves Kerala meals, fish dishes and meat.

Located at the road connecting ESI Hospital junction to the 100 ft road, it’s a place you can easily miss out. However, by noon this place fills up with people who are looking for Kerala meals, fish and other dishes. Most customers are Malayalees who work or stay in the surrounding area.

Today, when I visited this restaurant, I bought Netholi fry. The other day I had bought sardines ( mathi) which was Rs 50 for two pieces.

Are you treating Mathi Well?

What’s there to treat Mathi or Chali ( names for Sardine in Malayalam)? It’s one of the cheapest fish – thought it’s tasty fish, many non-malayalees avoid it as it’s smelly when fried or cleaned and it’s thorny.

Why did I broach on this topic of mathi here? I find this a perennial problem or a problem of bad attitude by small restaurant owners and Kerala mess owners.

When I bought this mathi, it was deep fried to the extend of it almost turning crumbly – close to carbon state. Why are they over frying it? When it’s deep fried, it looses it’s tender flesh – it’s just like eating some fried chips or murukh. Probably, there are people who enjoy fish this way, but what about others who relish the taste of mathi in it’s succulent body. Or can you make two types of four types of fry

1. Mathi fry in chilli, tumeric and sea sat ( Deep fried)

2. Mathi / Chala fry marinated in the above way and shallow fried

3. Sardine marinated in chill and crushed pepper and shallow fried

4. Sardine marinated in chilli and crushed shallots and green chilli and fried

There are many more variations to it, however, these are the four things that came to my mind. The question again is why can’t You make Mathi Remarkable.

Making Insignificant Things SIGNIFICANT or REMARKABLE

Mathi or sardine could be a metaphor for taking extraordinary care to make it a remarkable stuff. Also, in the case of mathi, hoteliers spend the least amount of time to clean and prepare it. Also, they just buy without much scrutiny of its freshness. Why?  Reason is that they find it’s not worthwhile to spend time on the smallest assest on their menu. It’s least priced item and it’s deserves less attention and care. That’s a mistake we all do!

Contact details of this Kerala Mess at ESI Hospital Junction, Domlur

Ph# 8792175265, 9916555849
Location: Next to Jyothi Gas Agency
Half way through the road between ESI Hospital Signal and 100 Ft Road

Common items at this hotel

1. Fish fry ( Anchovy, mathi, Ayala, etc)

2. Chicken and meat

3. Meals, parotta

( Fish varieties depends on the availability. Call them up for the menu of the day)

Other Kerala Mess in Domlur, Indira Nagar, Tippasandra locality

1. Kerala Pavilion Restaurant

Visit to Cemetery at Lalaguda

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Wifey at the Chapel

Mark of a Recent Visit

Epitaph – Sorrowful Words

Goodbye to Frolicsome Grandpa

Farewell with a heavy heart

Do not be sad – Be Happy

Just 30 hours in this world

Entrance to Cemetery

20 years on June 30th, my father-in-law passed away. I have not met him – but heard a lot of his stories from his daughter. His grave was tucked in the lonely corner of the cemetery, with few other lease graves behind his plain concrete one.

Every time I visit this cemetry, I stroll around other the path, reading the epitaph, taking pictures. There are few old graves with teary lines which marked the loss. This time too, I went around taking pictures of the epitaphs, and those marble statues chiseled from marble.

  • Do you like reading epitaphs and visiting old unknown graves? 
  • What do you think when you read them? 
  • What and how did they die – old age, or something that took them early?
  • Do you think how this cemetery might have looked some 50 or 60 years ago?
  • Have you thought of epitaph that should go on your grave? 
( I have earlier posted few pictures from this resting place from an earlier visit to Hyderabad. Click this link to view the pictures of erstwhile grave )

Other epitaphs – At St Patrick’s Church Bangalore 

Boost Entrepreneurship Zeal in Kerala

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
I just had this thought and I didn’t delay in putting down on the blog. It’s like this – when an idea comes to mind, make it a habit to note it down. I keep getting fleeting thoughts about many things and most of it is lost as I don’t think of penning it down.


How Public in Kerala See about Starting a business?
There’s a common myth about entrepreneurship in Kerala. All those who lived here or started a business venture knows the difficulty and the story of becoming an entreprenuer in God’s Own Country. 
I think, we have woven a wrong tale about business. Mothalaly ( Invester/Capitalist) is seen as a villan, a lecher who preys on hapless workers, treats labor as a commodity, etc. The popular movies in 70’s and 80’s portrayed this concept – to the point it was an overkill. 
Whatever, said and one, the stigma of starting a business, or the public opinion is somewhat skewed on this negative aspect of being a business person. However, these days things are changing – not b’cos of Govt but the rise of new generation smart young entrepreneurs who use digital medium to  market, promote their products. 

What if the Government Start a New Yathra on Entrepreneurship?
Every state has seen some kind of yathra for religious, political and publicity stuff. In Kerala, last year, there was a human chain or something of that sort to highlight some issue. ( can’t remember what it was)
What if they start a state-wide yathra eulogizing business? Will the communist Government do it? Or will any State Government take effort to wake people for such a cause?
What’s the New Game Plan
1. Industries department or Social Welfare Department chalks a plan
2. Public talks, speeches on every city and town in Kerala
3. Educate public about how and why to start a business
4. Promote the concept that business is the new mantra
5. Share information about the ease of doing business
6. Distribute forms and application for starting a business
7. Create business start-up booths in every Panchayat
8. Form a Cell ( representing thought leaders and ideators) for giving guidance to public
9 Teach interested people on how to start marketing ( digital)
Stage is set for the people to infuse entrepreneurial zeal amoung the people of Kerala. It’s time for young generation to start something of their own, rather than writing PSC or Bank test. You people are talented, full of energy, ideas – it’s only that you need some kind of mentoring or positive direction to start a business of your own.
 
 

Activity Solace Centre for Widows in India

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
 My mom became widow at a much early age than the rest of my aunts. Initially the thought crossed my mind about how she can keep herself occupied, creative and useful. That was just a thought and I left at it.Much later, one of my colleague called me and asked if I could suggest some activities for his mother to make herself engaged. I told him few things, but that was not suitable for the person she was.

Recently, I spoke to a lady who was travelling with me. Her husband had passed away two years back. She was a active lady, and financially settled. she was on her way to meet her son in Bangalore, who had come down for a visit from US. As we chatted in our train journey, she said that she was busy maintaining her house and she has a hobby of making nettipattam based on the orders. This makes her very busy – procuring the materials, making it with care and time. I wish every women had something productive, something which makes them useful.

Activity and Support Centre for Widows

I’m not sure if there are organizations in India specifically for helping widows with counselling, advice, support, help them combat loneliness, make them active in life, or help them with their grief, depression or help them find a life partner, if need be.

What if there’s a NGO or Private Agency for Widows?

Before we talk of the agency, let’s see what should this agency do.

Here’s my thoughts and suggestion!

1. It must have office cum activity centre in major cities and towns

2. Have a website, an App ( where people can select options)

Next what kind of activities it should provide.

1. Legal work
2. Support – 360 support
( Hospital, Care giver, Financial Management, Solace, Grief etc)

Activities Incumbents can Choose:

1. Hobby ( Sports, Swimming, Cooking, stitching,etc)

2. Social ( Traveling, Volunteer for a NGO, )

3. Relaxation ( Massage, Grooming, Well-being)

4. Sexual ( A forum to share sexual needs)

5. Spiritual ( Visit to holy places, Prayer, etc)

6. Learning/Knowledge ( Facilitate learning new topics,

Each program should be custom-build for the individual. The option to choose the activities should
be left to the user. Mobile App, will provide hassle-free facility for the user to click and select the activities

For instance, user can select any activity for any date. Once selected, agency will get notification and it
will work to execute the order.

What’s does most widows do now?

In a typical day, I feel they are finding themselves as a support structure fo the siblings.

1. Baby sitting
2. Cooking
3. Cleaning
4. Shopping for the family
5. Watching TV ( Serials)
6. Whatsapp ( Forward and sharing it on family groups)
7. Gardening or keeping the surrounding clean
8. Shuttling houses – visit kid’s house

Make Yourself Valuable, Useful and Productive

When  I searched online, all that I could find in India was .nic sites and Army sites. Few of them were about army widows, Widow ashram in Varanasi, and then came widow dating sites, which obviously was not of Indian origin. Also, few sites were about empowering widows from economically backward sector.

This project I have envisioned was for widows who are economically self-sufficient. Meaning, they have a sufficient bank balance, but looking for something more than just doing the routine stuff.

Probably, they can choose activity, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly and subscription will be based on the usage.

Sardine Fry

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
It’s Mathi Fry 

For the people from coastal towns, fish is a normal part of their daily diet. As with individual preference, we build our own palette for a particular fish or a certain types of fishes.

Sardine, or locally called mathi, chala, macroni mathi, keeri chala, the different names are used for the different species of sardine. Some more tasty than the other, some more fleshy, some full of thorns, some good only for frying, etc

I like both curry and fry version. Someday, I would like to open an exclusive restaurant serving mathi or sardine. will it run? What type of dishes should be available? Or what about a restaurant only with fish. What about wine as an appetizer? That would be a great idea – serve banana or rice or pineapple fine – just on a shot glass and then the rest of the dishes.

But then, we have regressive and outdated laws governing wine, which puts it in the category of alcohol. ( Akbari Act) Probably, our society, government will grow enough in the year 2055 an give license to sell or serve wine to customers in a restaurant.

Preparing Mathi the Right Way

I have had lunch from many restaurants in Trivandrum. One of the cheapest fish to order is mathi ( sardine). Here’s the major disappointment for me.

The problem is that most hoteliers take mathi very casually. Meaning, as it’s a low priced small fish, less time is given for cleaning the scales, and to check the freshness of it. If the market from which it is sourced sell fresh ones, then customers get to enjoy fresh fish.

In most cases, they don’t really look at the FRESH part of the fish. It will be moderately okay. Not consistently fresh so that a customer can be assured of certain quality and taste while serving mathi.

Also, mathi is not cleaned thoroughly. Mostly, scales around the next and tail is still kept. Also,  the gut area is not cleaned like the way it’s done at most home.

Consistency Rings True

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

How do you rate yourself on the Consistency side?

Given a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate myself 3. That’s me, battling it out on a low score, even after knowing that consistency is the rock-bed of good habit formation, helps to learn new skills, brings positive changes with new habits, etc.

Who Will Shoulder When I Cry

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Today while on a regular evening tea, we choose to visit a Veg restaurant close to Medical College area. As soon as we settled, we ordered tea and dosa and settled in one of the tables.

After some time into the tea and dosa, many other people started occupying seats around us. As a people watcher, I kept looking at people, how they carried themselves.

One family who sat in the next table had a kid with a medical mask. Don’t know what was her ailment? The mother of the kid looked worried. The man of the family ordered food and next they were engrossed in the food.

Worried Faces near Hospital

In and around any big hospital, it’s not difficult to catch sight of the people who are worried, faces filled with stress and often without any emotions. Some would be worried about the health, some about the medical expenses, or some over-stressed with the task of running around.

Solace for the Weary

Who will mother the pained ones? Who will shoulder the responsibility? Who will talk over the worries? Who will cushion the fear, worries faced by you? Who will hold your hand and heart?
Who will pay my bills? A guardian angel to all the weary ones? Who’s there for you? You, your family or friends?

What will you do when you have none of the support structure? 

Try this for Learning

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment
Learning Always

What did we learn when we first fell from the cycle?
Did we learn when we first failed in a test?
What did you do when they turned their back against you?

Do we really learn from our experiences? Well, some people do and I for one don’t overstep from the potholes of yesterday’s journey.