GrowlersWorld Site Updates

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About business.

After careful consideration, I've found that the concept of Growlersworld International Trading Company would not be viable at this present time.

It's functions will be combined into Growlersworld Toys.

This will allow me to focus fully on one business rather than spreading myself too thinly.

Long time readers will notice the return of Growlersworld Publishing as a future venture.

This is something that is close to my heart (as I am a passionate advocate of the power of the written word) and it will see the light of day.

growlersworld.com/thegrowlersworldgroupofcompanies.htm - n/a

About comic books and business.

Superhero comic book sales are steadily increasing.

The figures are for the US market but their popularity is shared worldwide.

There is a sense of renaissance in the air and quality is the order of the day.

Here's some figures to chew on;

1993 - US$850 Mln

1997 - US$350 Mln

2000 - US$250 Mln

2004 - US$328.25 Mln

2005 - US$352.33 Mln

The figures can be halved to get the rough Sterling equivalent.

The first figure was hugely inflated due to people buying multiple copies of comic books in the hope of making a mint.

When this bubble burst, so did the industry but the signs are looking good at the moment.

The current return of popularity of variant covers is an irony that has been noted.

Ok, this week's picture is me in a pub in London at a mate's leaving do.

Taken late last year.

I was a bit hesitant to use it as I didn't want to massage the old ego and vanity but what the hell.

I reckon Chantelle is going to win Big Brother hands down.

Just the fact that she is holding her own among the established celebrities.

Sounds like most people are going for her or Preston. We'll see.

I'm reading and enjoying this amazing book called Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I think you might like it.

U.K. politics is getting exciting with new leaders taking centre stage at all the three main parties.

It's going to be an interesting few years.

Apparently, everyone wants to be a celebrity these days;

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13492330,00.html

For an interesting perspective on why this is, check out the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Challenging reading to say the least!

Of course, if you ask me, everyone should follow their dreams but make sure you have a sound foundation.

In two words, education and experience.

And don't be afraid of making mistakes. It's the best way to learn and succeed.

Never give up!

After some advice from my mate Mark Wu, Web Designer, and with my future plans for Growlersworld.com I've tinkered with the page design.

It's all more compact with greater scope for expansion and new features. If I'd just added new stuff to the right hand column it would of been a hassle to scroll down to the bottom.

So I've added categories for an easier navigation.

Also 'The Growlersworld Blog' is a bit of a mouthful so it's now Growlerslog.

It's all taking shape.

Check out Mark's own company http://www.kibook.com for cutting edge website design.

Ok, on a totally different note. Celebrity Big Brother. Showing on U.K. TV on Channel 4.

http://www.channel4.com/bigbrother/

I don't normally watch it but after a tip from a mate (cheers Mike!) I've been checking it out on the odd occasion.

What a mix of characters! Whoever picked out this bunch should get a medal!

If you want some crazy entertainment check it out. Sport stars, film stars, pop stars, models, politicians and just plain wannabee's are mingling to great effect! Pure madness!

On the comics front, billionaire Sir Richard Branson has just announced a joint venture to create Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation.

He's teaming up with Deepak Chopra from India based Gotham Entertainment to produce some cutting edge concepts.

Comics can only get better with Branson on the scene. Looking forward to see him shaking things up. Marvel and DC may have some competition in the near future.

Ok. The new home page picture is a photo I took of Trafalgar Square in London.

If you haven't been it's well worth a visit.

Will change the picture monthly.

Still planning the toy venture and am learning just how crucial planning is to any venture.

Couple of things I'd like to share.

A business model is basically where and who your customers are.

A business plan explains how you will get those customers.

Also, been learning more about websites and the need for constant new content.

This was something I underestimated and am working to address. I will be adding new regular articles by myself and others in the future.

A combination of business and entertainment. That's the general idea.

As always, any comments to rawle@growlersworld.com

Wishing everyone a great and prosperous 2006!

May all your ambitions and dreams be realised.

Best wishes

Rawle

Wow, hasn't this year gone quick?!

Only 4 more days left of 2005 and a good time to reflect upon the past year and look forward to 2006. The Year of the Dog in the Chinese calendar.

I will continue my search for new writing talent to feature on the site and will make the effort to update my blog more frequently. I'll keep the entries short, sharp and sweet.

Tune of the Christmas period has to be the JCB Song by Nizlopi. Simple and effective. Go listen.

It snowed a little in London today which was nice to see. I remember the days of heavy snowfall around these parts. Gives the place an eerie beauty. Especially in wide open spaces.

I have a major love for landscapes and natural scenery. Still haven't seen anywhere as awesome as New Zealand in 1999 yet though. Now that was breathtaking. Rotorua and Lake Taupo. Stunning.

Been re-watching the Pierce Brosnan James Bond outings. A nice mix of Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Just seen Goldeneye and will check out Tomorrow Never Dies this evening.

Ian Fleming really created a bona fide British superhero. Pure quality. Pierce has now hung up his boots and Daniel Craig will be the new Bond. Going for a grittier feel. Great stuff!

Thanks again to all visitors to this site from all over the world and for all comments.

This site is a labour of love. Continue to enjoy.

Rawle

Wishing all Growlersworld.com readers a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Thanks for visiting and best wishes for 2006!

Rawle

The fun never stops...

After much soul searching, the Austin-Isaacs Foundation will be renamed the Growlersworld Foundation, to further unify operations.

Been watching this great series on TV. Dragon's Den. A must for all budding entrepreneurs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/

Read this great article by entrepreneur Peter Jones. Very inspiring.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4542280.stm

Went to a dinner yesterday evening hosted by William Ong, founder of the Pearl Foundation and Chinatown Magazine.

Was an opportunity for everyone involved with the magazine to meet up and chat. I write the magazine's film reviews.

A good night was had by all and 2006 looks to be a good year.

Go to http://www.chinatownthemagazine.com to see what it's all about.

Made a few more changes to the site. Renamed this blog to 'The Growlersworld blog' to streamline the Growlersworld brand identity.

Also, redesigned the GROWLERVISION page and renamed it to 'What is GROWLERVISION?!' to make it more clearer.

Go and have a look!

Slightly re-arranged the content of the left and right hand menu's on Growlersworld.com.

Should make things more clearer and accessible.

Enjoy.

Currently working out operating costs for the great toy venture. Always good to know your costs and potential costs before you start. Updates will be posted here.

Looking for a great read?

Try Nextwave, written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Stuart Immonen. Ground breaking superhero science fiction by one of the best writers in the business! Published by Marvel Comics.

From the same publisher, Young Avengers by Allan Heinberg and drawn by Jimmy Cheung is a refreshing take on the superhero genre.

2006 will be a huge year for the publisher with concepts including Neil Gaiman reinventing Jack Kirby's Eternals and Warren Ellis on newuniversal.

http://www.marvel.com

Also, DC Comics has their epic Infinite Crisis mini series by Geoff Johns and artist Phil Jimenez which will lead into fresh takes on their characters.

Dubbed 'One Year Later' 2006 will see some of the best writers and artists in the business bringing quality that has to be seen and read.

Editor in Chief, Dan Didio has really powered up the DC publishing juggernaut and the once sleeping giant has fully woken.

http://www.dccomics.com

Image Comics has two titles you need to check out, Invincible by Robert Kirkman and artist Ryan Ottley and Godland by Joe Casey and illustrator Tom Scioli.

Both leading the charge from Editor in Cheif, Erik Larsen's stable.

http://www.imagecomics.com

What? You've never tried a comic or trade before?! Read my introductions on

http://www.growlersworld.com/growleroncomicbooks.htm for the low down.

Online shop Amazon has a great range and there may be a local comic shop near you. Forbidden Planet (London, UK) is rather good.

Just sorted out the blank pictures from the first page of the Learn About Comic Books with Growler column.

Now you can see the whole page in it's full glory from the Growler on Comic Books section on the right hand menu.

I changed some of the Growlersworld International Trading Company information to clear things up and re-focus the Growlersworld brand.

I also decided to change the name GITCO Toys to Growlersworld Toys. As things progress, more information will be provided.

What's it all about?

Well, it's all part of my quest to get the name Growlersworld recognised across the globe.

Growlersworld.com has a worldwide audience with countries including the U.K., the U.S., China, Guyana, Spain, Turkey, South Africa, Germany, Australia, Canada, France and many, many more!

The Growlersworld brand represents adventure, excitement, action, fun and, of course, helping others.

Want to help?

Just tell someone you know to check out Growlersworld.com and pass it on.

Growlersworld - See the world in GROWLERVISION!

Brought to you by Rawle Austin AKA Growler, the comic book reading entrepreneur.

In the Helping Others section of Growlersworld.com I've listed various charities I will aim to support.

The causes these charities champion have touched my life in different ways so I want this to be my way of giving something back.

The reasons are as follows,

My father regularly shopped at Oxfam charity shops and this is now my favourite charity;

http://www.oxfam.co.uk

My father died of a stroke and my mother died of a heart attack, hence my wish to support the Stroke Association;

http://www.stroke.org.uk

and the British Heart Foundation;

http://www.bhf.org.uk

After my mother died I went through a period of depression so I want to support the charity, Mind;

http://www.mind.org.uk

In 2000 I had a collapsed lung (spontaneous pnuemothorax) which I had an operation for in 2002 after a recurrence. This is why I want to support the British Lung Foundation;

http://www.lunguk.org

And finally, the Make Poverty History/Free Trade campaign is a just cause, having had the opportunity to visit countries like Guyana, Cuba and China seeing the realities on the ground;

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org

On another note, the Turner Report on the U.K.'s pension crisis came out today.

Everyone should read and learn about it and act on it;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4484252.stm

This is a worldwide problem and needs a worldwide solution.

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