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28 Starting Small
从小事做起
They say it's best to start with something small when you're trying to build a business.
他们说当你要建立一个企业时，最好先从小事做起。
So I started with belt buckles.
于是，我开始做皮带扣生意，
It's a good building block for a clothing business.
这是服装生意的一大基础。
Fortunately, I had a buddy already in the business so he helped me to set up a store.
幸运的是，我有个哥们是搞这生意的，于是他帮我开了一家商店。
The buckles I sell are made out of bronze.
我卖的皮带扣是铜质的。
Bronze is a brownish colored metal that matched every color of clothing including brown garments.
铜是一种呈棕色的金属，它能搭配各种颜色（自然包括棕色）的服装。
They're not at all brittle.
我卖的皮带扣绝不是一碰就碎的东西，
In fact, they are strong and long lasting.
相反它结实耐用。
My buckles are made in Spain by the best craftsmen alive since the Bronze Age.
我的皮带扣由青铜器时代以来最优秀的工匠在西班牙制成。
I save a lot of money by exporting them in bulky contains that are filled to the brim.
我将满载皮带扣的巨大集装箱出口，从而攒了不少的钱。
The clothing business is very competitive and it can be brutal at times.
服装业竞争激烈，有时竞争相当残酷。
I suppose it's better than selling light bulbs.
我想这还是比卖灯泡好。
Some customers are rather brusque and don't seem to like conversation.
有些顾客相当粗鲁，也不愿多说话。
It doesn't bother me.
不过我不在乎。
I try to run a brisk business by selling most of my products in bulk at a discount.
通过以优惠价批量出售大部分产品，我努力把企业办得兴旺发达。
As long as I keep to my budget, I can make a profit,
只要我严格按照预算行事，就能盈利。
My goal is to broaden my business by the end of the year by adding belts and hats to my product line.
我的目标是到年底扩大经营范围，将皮带和帽子加入生产线。
I also want to publish a brochure of my goods.
我还想出版一本产品介绍手册。
If I succeed at making a good profit, maybe I can buy that house by the brook that I've always wanted.
如果我能大笔盈利，也许我会买下小溪边我梦寐以求的房子。
Every time I feel exhausted by the demands of my business, I close my eyes and dream of that house.
每当我被生意上的种种需求折腾得筋疲力尽时，我就会闭上眼睛，梦见那栋房子。
I think of the cool water coming from the nearby brook.
我想到屋旁小溪里的溪水的清凉；
I imagine the sweet smell of flower buds in the garden.
我想象着花园里蓓蕾的芬芳；
And I picture myself sitting in a big bathtub full of bubbles.
我想象着自己坐在一个满是泡泡的大浴缸里。
