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CommuniThai Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai Thailand 2006
A Community Magazine





 I started a community magazine at the recommendation of a friend.
I did all the investing and 90% of the work and Tom did some sales.
When I wanted to see his paperwork and receipts to put in our files, Tom quit. By SMS.

He was not a good choice for a partner.
I ran the magazine by myself for 5 more months, but the load was too heavy for me and advertising sales were not enough to pay printing bills, much less rent and other expenses.

The magazine folded and I had to return to China to teach English so I could survive financially.

I learned to be careful about picking a partner.
I also learned how hard it was to find employees in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

This was one of the happiest experiences of my life when I saw tourists walking down the street using the map and coupons in the magazine.
I felt I was really contributing to community.

When the project failed, I fell into a depression that lasted a very long time.