Scottish Man Running Business in Chengdu & Chongqing Presenting the Real British Suit Culture

□　Edited by Lovia Agyemang

Scottish Man Running Business in Chengdu & Chongqing Presenting the Real British Suit Culture

□Edited by Lovia Agyemang

Many say Chongqing and Chengdu are like brothers and sisters. This is an observation not only by the locals but most foreigners who have lived and worked in both cities. Many foreign settlers upon spending time in cities like Chengdu develop a genuine liking to the city; as a result, most establish businesses and even life careers. These businesses become so successful and expand to neighboring cities like Chongqing; this is the story of a young Scottish guy, Michael McDonald.

Chengdu, where the dream starts: finding opportunities in planning events

Michael has been living in Chengdu for nearly 4 years. During this period of time, he was involved in several occupations ranging from serving as a market manager of an advertising company, an event planner, real estate agent to owning his own bar. He also speaks fluent Chinese with grade 6 level of HSK.

When talking about foreigners in Chengdu, Michael explains a typical day of a foreigner in Chengdu, especially students, “they get out of campus after closing their Chinese books, come to the people's Park, pour themselves a cup of tea, feeling the laid-back folk culture of Chengdu with the Mahjong buzzing around. However, a foreigner in Chengdu today especially with a business of their own, “arrives at their shop, talk to employees before opening up their shop; then open the laptop, responding to several customers’ emails, calling the decoration company, worrying about the location of a new branch etc. ”Michael said with a smile, this has become a "new normal" for foreigners in Chengdu. The numbers of foreigners who currently live in Chengdu are about 25,000.

Michael currently owns a custom tailoring shop. Whiles it is common for most foreigners in Chengdu to open up restaurants and bars; Michael took a different turn and opened a custom tailoring shop. Suits originated in Europe, for instance, custom suits in the United Kingdom are a long time tradition. When Michael was in College, he went to Korea as an exchange student, where he had his first custom tailored suit. Michael explains how he fell in love with the flourishing industry of customized apparel in Korea. He planed to introduce and be a part of this idea of “gentleman in suit” in China.

The idea of opening a custom suit tailoring shop was also inspired by Michael’s several planned business activities. Having lived in Chengdu for a while, he saw the opportunity to provide this high quality and reasonable priced suit service for foreigners in Chengdu. Compared to Beijing and Shanghai, having a custom tailoring service like this kind was very scarce. With the help of a famous custom tailor from Beijing, Michael was able to have a good start. He actively cooperated with the shop in Beijing, building a similar business in Chengdu. It took him two months to fi nd a couple of good tailors in China, and sent them to Beijing for systematic training. Meanwhile, with the help of many social media apps like Weibo, Michael soon developed a number of "potential customers". Although his shop was still not offi cially opened, he had received a request from more than 70 clients, which boasted his confidence and further encouraged him to open his shop. In September 2014, he opened his fi rst Western-style custom shop in Chengdu.

Michael's custom shop provides tailored suit, winter coats and accessories, although at first it was to targeted at foreigners living in Chengdu, it also attracted many Chinese customers including grooms, students, both foreign and Chinese business men.

Chongqing, where the dream extends: business expansion

Since the success of his shop in Chengdu, Michael is planning on extending his business to Chongqing this June. Although he has never lived in Chongqing, he took some business trips to explore the city. Chongqing left a good impression on him due to its fast "development". Being from a noble town (Scotland) famous for its castles, very distinctive landscape, Chongqing gave him a warm and oriental impression.

Michael considered it a natural choice to choose Chongqing as his second arena for his career path. Chongqing and Chengdu are neighbors; therefore many people who work in Chengdu, and Chongqing are closely connected. His customers in Chengdu also had many friends and relatives in Chongqing, which potentially gained him many customers in Chongqing. Michael is amazed by how close these two cities are connected by a one and half train journey, creating an even better development link between the two cities.

According to Michael, Chengdu and Chongqing are unique in their own way; people are friendly and accommodating. Both cities share exceptional and delicious cuisines like Dan Dan noodles, spicy noodles, Mapo tofu or Hot pot etc, that are loved my many foreigners”. But as both cities grow in the field of industry and its market, Michael believes that Chongqing has more advantage. “Chongqing is still developing and growing therefore there are more business opportunities than Chengdu. “There is a great transition of culture and clothing that is expanding the market and the advancement of technology allows a broader room for his business to succeed and develop. Michael has full confi dence in the development of his business in Chongqing.

In the future, Michael will focus more in Chongqing; he plans to move to Chongqing very soon. According to Michael, both cities are more like his hometown and a platform to happily pursuing his dreams. He hopes to bring a different side to custom suits in these parts of Asia.