Earning thirty thousand yuan in a month in 1995 was an almost impossible task for ordinary people.
But for Song Qiao now, he was confident he had the ability!
Not to mention his foresight, which was thirty years ahead of the times, but even his thirty years of business experience gave him absolute confidence!
After Xia Yuqing and the others left, Song Qiao pondered his plan in the living room, then pushed the door open and walked towards the night market of Beicheng in 1995.
He already had a general plan, and he wanted to verify its feasibility.
After all, every era had its limitations, and business practices that were too far ahead of their time would not be suitable for this era.
For example, now, 99% of people in China had never seen a computer or a smartphone. If he were to start online shopping or WeChat now, he would only end up in utter ruin!
Walking down the streets of the 1995 night market, the lights were not as dazzling as in later years, but the streets were bustling with people, more lively than thirty years later.
Especially since there were no urban management officers at this time, many small vendors directly set up stalls for ready-made clothes and snacks on the roadside, which was full of vitality and the aroma of life.
"This is it, it's definitely promising!"
After spending half an hour strolling through the main night markets of Beicheng, Song Qiao became even more convinced of his plan.
"Most people in this era have just escaped the line of subsistence, and materials are relatively scarce. Throughout the night snack stalls, it's all noodle stalls, and people don't have many choices."
"The food and beverage industry is definitely promising!"
"However, if I want to earn thirty thousand yuan in a month now, I definitely cannot invest in traditional food and beverages. I must engage in a highly profitable industry!"
"Stinky tofu, that's it!"
"Thirty years later, the cost of a portion of stinky tofu is only a few cents, and people will queue up to buy it for ten yuan a portion. Even if it can't be sold for ten yuan a portion in this era, selling it for one yuan a portion will definitely be highly profitable!"
"What's more, stinky tofu is something that can be packaged and taken away immediately after purchase, so there's no need to consider table turnover rates, which is perfect for me to make quick money!"
"However, the technical content of stinky tofu is not high, and it's easy to imitate. I either don't do it, or I make it a brand, so that people think my stinky tofu is the authentic one, the Maotai of stinky tofu!"
Song Qiao became more determined in his ideas. He returned home and wrote a detailed business plan, considering all possibilities.
The next day, Song Qiao went out again for a stroll. After all, he would not only operate stinky tofu in the night market but also sell it during the day, so he had to conduct a detailed investigation of the daytime market.
After a day, he also had a detailed plan for opening a shop and chose a storefront at the intersection of Chengzong Road.
This storefront was originally rented to a beef brisket noodle shop. However, several consecutive shops around it were also beef brisket noodle shops. The original owner couldn't compete and closed down.
Song Qiao found the landlord and, after some bargaining, finally agreed to a monthly rent of six hundred yuan.
Of course, the rules of renting a shop required paying six months' rent in advance. Because of this, his starting capital of five thousand yuan was reduced to two thousand yuan.
"Fortunately, this place used to be in the food and beverage business. The previous owner didn't take the tables and chairs, so they can be used directly."
"Now, all I need is to spend a thousand yuan or so to redecorate and hang a sign, and I can open for business!"
"However, before opening, I must make the stinky tofu first."
"Also, regarding staff, to make it a brand, besides being delicious, service and gimmicks are equally important!"
That afternoon, Song Qiao wasted no time and found a decoration company. He spent another thousand yuan to have the entire store repainted and a sign for 'Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu' made.
Anyway, Xiang Piaopiao milk tea hadn't appeared yet, so Song Qiao occupied the name first.
Smelling bad but tasting good, Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu!
Song Qiao had even thought of the advertising slogan for future chain stores.
...
The store renovation was in progress and would take five days.
During these five days, Song Qiao was not idle. While fermenting stinky tofu, he also posted a large sign advertisement outside the shop. The words "Monthly Salary of Five Hundred Yuan" in black ink on red paper were particularly eye-catching.
After all, the minimum wage standard in Beijing at this time was no less than 240 yuan. In Beicheng, a third-tier city, offering a monthly salary of five hundred yuan was already higher than that of 98% of workers!
As expected, as soon as this recruitment advertisement was posted, a long queue of applicants formed outside the shop the next day.
After a day of interviews, Song Qiao finally selected two young beauties in their twenties, one named Li Lili and the other named Lin Jing.
These two women were not only beautiful but also tall. In later years, they could have been celebrities or internet influencers.
Song Qiao felt it was almost a waste of their talents to have them serve dishes and sell stinky tofu.
"Here are the work uniforms. You two go and try them on."
These two maid-style work uniforms were made by a tailor's aunt after Song Qiao spent a lot of effort and dry mouth explaining his requirements for the clothing.
Li Lili and Lin Jing took the clothes to change in the back of the shop. They didn't come out for half a day. Song Qiao urged them many times, and then they finally walked out wearing maid outfits, looking shy and hesitant.
"Beautiful!"
Song Qiao nodded with satisfaction. He was confident that with their figures and attire, they would definitely attract a crowd on the first day of opening.
"Boss..."
Li Lili timidly hesitated to speak.
"Don't be afraid. Just say whatever you need to say. I won't eat you."
"Boss!"
Li Lili mustered her courage and said, "We... we are from respectable families, but... but we won't do anything illegal!"
Illegal things?
Song Qiao took a moment to react and chuckled, "If you want to do illegal things, I don't have the guts to do them. Don't worry, I'm just selling stinky tofu here. There are absolutely no special services!"
Seeing that they were still full of doubts, Song Qiao had to say, "Our shop will open tomorrow, and you'll know then. If I force you to accompany guests or anything like that, you can just fire me!"
After Song Qiao's repeated assurances, Li Lili and Lin Jing's doubts were slightly eased, but they remained vigilant towards Song Qiao, thinking that if this wasn't a legitimate shop, they would quit tomorrow!
This couldn't be blamed on their prejudice, as in this era, in a third-tier city, most people associated maid outfits with "filthy" things.
...
On April 6, 1995, the first Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu in Beicheng officially opened for business, a date that would surely be remembered by the business world in China in the future.
On the first day of opening, Li Lili and Lin Jing standing at the entrance indeed attracted a large crowd to watch.
According to incomplete statistics and reports later, it was said that more than fifty men on Chengzong Road that day walked into utility poles.
"Five hundred yuan a month is worth it!"
Seeing that the two had successfully attracted traffic, Song Qiao happily pushed open the door and shouted loudly, "Today is the first day of our Xiang Piaopiao Stinky Tofu grand opening. Buy one get one free! Welcome everyone to come in and taste..."
However, before he could finish speaking, a commotion erupted from the crowd.
"It's so smelly!"
"It's too smelly, is this shop selling excrement? Why is it so smelly!"
"I can't stand it, I'm going to vomit!"
"Run, it's suffocating!"
"..."
In less than a minute, the crowd of hundreds of onlookers had completely dispersed.
Song Qiao was stunned.
"Did it fail?"