Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand June / July 2017: The Business Issue | Page 5

Editor's letter W anderlust usually slants toward health and wellness, so it was a refreshing change of pace to focus on the start-up side of expat life for this business-themed issue. We already knew that much of Bangkok runs on entrepreneurial spirit. But Bangkok, we have found, truly is a hub for the doubly adventurous: It’s a popular destination for those bold enough to move overseas, and it’s a city for those willing to risk it all by launching a business abroad. In this issue, you’ll read the success stories of several ex- pat entrepreneurs. We open with a feature about expats in Thailand who are riding the wave of customization in the tourism industry. Their inspiring stories show us how passion for seeing the world coupled with business acumen can pro- duce exciting start-ups changing the way we travel — and even helping us love traveling more than we already do. If there’s a start-up idea flickering in your mind, this is- sue should ignite your motivation to make your dreams a reality. We’ve spoken to expats who’ve established busi- nesses here in other industries, too, most with a digital an- gle. They’ve shared their tips with us so you can learn from them. And there’s a special, in-depth guide on founding a business that will give you a very good idea of what it takes to get a company up and running as an expat in Thailand. If you already are a business owner, look for our rec- ommendations on apps to keep your company running smoothly. You might also want to take a look at the arti- cles written by local business owners on networking in Thailand and how to write the best possible elevator pitch. No matter where you happen to be on your journey, we hope the advice in these pages will encourage you along the dynamic path of life as an expat entrepreneur. Perhaps by next year, with a little luck and hard work, you’ll be the one giving advice to the latest batch of ex- pats choosing to set up shop here in the Land of Smiles. Enjoy the read, Shannon WWW.WANDERLUSTMAG.COMWANDERLUST 5