In a comment I recieved from my good "bear hug" had a couple questions I thought I would add as a post, as you can imagine there are lots my daughters and I have been throwing around about the hopes of a coffee shop in our future. Seems we have been compiling a list of sorts that are filling up a notebook. seems the most are pro's but it's the "cons" I've been mostly concerned with in taking care of :P seems the pro's are always the easy come ones-lol.
So here we go, just for you Bear :)
1. Self-employment is not for the faint-hearted. It will take a lot of courage. I think you can do it!
...Thanks for encouragement :) and as much as I'm not looking to get rich I still have bills to pay so since we have decided it's the "younger" demographic we are going to try and reach as our main clientel (there is no youth friendly "meeting place in town here other then the park" other then my yard so it seems-lol ). I have decided that I will work my current job in the morning and leave at noon. The coffee house hours will be 12:30-10pm (most of the businesses in town close at 5pm weekdays and 3:30pm on the weekends) we will be open same hours on the weekend.
2. So, why did the former owners close up shop?
...The gentleman closed shop as he married a women who had four children and moved to a larger city accepting a fulltime job and couldn't keep up paying someone to manage the coffee house and pay other employees. (frankly after looking at his finacial pieces and from what I've heard of some in town, when he left there was some "till skimming" going on)I'm hoping being an owner opperated business I can avoid this pitfall.
3. Yes a coffee shop is good, but some of us like tea. What kinds of tea will you have on hand, as well as coffee?
...We have a "good earth" natural food store that has opened here (also owner operated) I have spoke with her as too "highlighting" some of her herbal teas in our coffee house so they will vary. But will come as a bargin, fresh, and good advertising for both businesses as she will advertise coffee house as carrying her teas should someone want to try first :)
I have also come across a man who is looking for a place to set up a bean roaster from his old business, I have told him I will give him the office space in the shop since my office at home (a few blocks away) will be sufficent. He still has a taste for his fresh beanies and so does his family and I get free freshly roasted beans roasted "on site" in return. What coffee house wouldn't want this? :p
4. Will you make your own scones and biscotti? Nothing like the smell of fresh baking to entice folks to stay.
...I have thought of making goodies there but getting into actually selling "baked" good in the small coffee house goes into deeper inspections though as far as the city is concerned as long as the existing commercial oven stays clean I may throw in a few store packaged items into it as for "customer enjoyment" not sold or advertised it would be ok. One thing at a time is the way I am looking at it right now.
5. Will you have a little bookshelf for the readers? (I got that suggestion from Nancy.) Maybe a few magazines?
I have a large collection of books as I have purchased them by the box full at garage sales for many years. Chances are the youngers will bring their laptops and such for reading blogs hehe. Yes I have a router and plan to have wifi. Music is always welcome there but may have to set some rules on that :p
6. Will the current owners stay on for a year to help you "learn the ropes" of the business?
..I'm thinking he is not going to be around but my daughters best friends mother has actually worked in this very same coffee house while he was still there and has offered to help me with learning all the ins and outs of the equipment and such. I'm crossing my fingers any other info I can find online.
As you can see it will be an adventure as it all has been even this far. and I'm still thinking that even if we go bust! the expirience will be something both me and the girls will have grown from and have memories that will haunt us every morning we get up to the smell of coffee for the rest of our lives-LOL! cross your fingers all ;)
....And ThanQ Bear for the Good questions ~hug~
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Anyone up for some coffee?
In my "Saturday outs" with the girls last weekend we came across our neighborhood coffee shop "closed". All the inner workings still sitting in the big wide window, a little sunlight was napping on the lounging couch with it's toes on the floor in the front. So sad :( it looked so lonely in there. The girls didn't speak, it was almost like they were giving me my time to say goodbye and morn. There is something about a small coffee house, in a small town to me that has always had it's comforts. Though I never really spoke to many people it seemed almost a safe haven to me.
Of course the wheels in my head started spinning when I saw the small hand written sign taped inside the window "for sale (contact #)" my daughter poked me with a pen and smiled :D they now me ooohh too well it's almost scary. Of course as much fun there is dreaming of owning ones own business let's face it, could a recovering social-a-phobic really have a chance at running a coffee house?probably not but I'm not ditching the idea. I have done some contacting of the owner (score one for the social phobe) turns out when motivated I can still hold a business style phone demeanor, who knew? but of course that is only the beginning of what will and would be a life changing event for us. Yes, US, I have to include the girls in this as this could go so wrong and they would be affected on so many levels I don't think they understand yet. I sound like my own worst cheering section when trying to explain all the "could, would be's" with them. They are 15 and 11 so they are seeing rainbows of working with mom in a warm funky coffee house. I am seeing the bottom line and the fear of failure and losing something more they may hold dear. But I have to admit some of those memories we could make would be worth a lifetime. So I'm still taking cautious steps in the pursuit of this little dream. Anyone up for some coffee?
Of course the wheels in my head started spinning when I saw the small hand written sign taped inside the window "for sale (contact #)" my daughter poked me with a pen and smiled :D they now me ooohh too well it's almost scary. Of course as much fun there is dreaming of owning ones own business let's face it, could a recovering social-a-phobic really have a chance at running a coffee house?probably not but I'm not ditching the idea. I have done some contacting of the owner (score one for the social phobe) turns out when motivated I can still hold a business style phone demeanor, who knew? but of course that is only the beginning of what will and would be a life changing event for us. Yes, US, I have to include the girls in this as this could go so wrong and they would be affected on so many levels I don't think they understand yet. I sound like my own worst cheering section when trying to explain all the "could, would be's" with them. They are 15 and 11 so they are seeing rainbows of working with mom in a warm funky coffee house. I am seeing the bottom line and the fear of failure and losing something more they may hold dear. But I have to admit some of those memories we could make would be worth a lifetime. So I'm still taking cautious steps in the pursuit of this little dream. Anyone up for some coffee?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday..Monday..Monday
I listen a lot. To everyone and interject my thoughts carefully and only when needed.
I prefer to be shy and quiet when it doesn't force me into situations I would rather not be in presently, I often find myself walking out of a room smiling and nodding my head as pretend I must be going to do something important and timely just to leave an undesired conversation. Sometimes confrontation is necessary and I realize that and step forward ( I do try to behave). Most times it is unnecessary to highlight myself as it serves no immediate purpose. I realize people make their own assumptions of me. I can work much more effectively, quietly and in the background. No waves, no earth-shattering deal-breaking maneuvers. Just calm, conscientious steady working method is good for me. I consider most a good day :)
Then there are the people who thrive on chaos, you know the ones who insist that you MUST care of their drama. I'm not cold hearted, I realize everyone has their issues in this life. But when you give your opinion of the situation they don't really want it. And if you don't say a word you are obviously in disagreement. The best you can do is tell yourself you can't please anyone and run for the hills!!
I prefer to be shy and quiet when it doesn't force me into situations I would rather not be in presently, I often find myself walking out of a room smiling and nodding my head as pretend I must be going to do something important and timely just to leave an undesired conversation. Sometimes confrontation is necessary and I realize that and step forward ( I do try to behave). Most times it is unnecessary to highlight myself as it serves no immediate purpose. I realize people make their own assumptions of me. I can work much more effectively, quietly and in the background. No waves, no earth-shattering deal-breaking maneuvers. Just calm, conscientious steady working method is good for me. I consider most a good day :)
Then there are the people who thrive on chaos, you know the ones who insist that you MUST care of their drama. I'm not cold hearted, I realize everyone has their issues in this life. But when you give your opinion of the situation they don't really want it. And if you don't say a word you are obviously in disagreement. The best you can do is tell yourself you can't please anyone and run for the hills!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
So..umm...What's new?
Being in the hidden side of a retreat/vacation/lodge where I work I've been pretty busy lately. (happy 4th of July all :D )
Not to mention trying to catch up with all the reading here after my computer fiasco and the need to think I am no longer computer dependant (yeh right!-lol). In reading so many blogs here I'm starting to think I have a sharing problem, I keep having flashes of someone from work or my past finding me here and reading my "issues"-lol. Lets be honest, I really shouldn't be using a real picture of me here but needless to say my intentions were good:p I am currently in the process of finding a new profile picture (just another thing on my to do list)...back to the sharing issue~I find that most of you freely give so much info about yourselves and your thoughts and I've been a little slow to catch up with that. Part of why I started this blog was to re-learn to express myself that I feel I can't in real life (yep, you guessed it, I still have no friends;D). Maybe it was the lapse in access to this place that jogged my thinking a little. Might even be a little guilt as I have a couple new followers that I can't for the life of me figure out what interest my none "sharing" not to the point blogs have to hold there interest-lol. Even now as I look at how much I have written here in this piece and still not managed to get anything productive to say out. So what's new? lets start with what's old that I haven't shared. I'm sure most have figured out that I was not always a socially challenged person so what has changed? I have to say it started long before my move to this new town. The last town I lived in was even smaller then this one. For starters I have essential tremor that has been getting worse. I also have a tendancy to go extremely anemic. Yes, I have been through many doctors who like to run the same tests over and over again, just incase something was missed (of course my insurance doesn't miss it and there for decide they don't want to pay for the lab work..AGain). So as anyone can imagine the looks I get as Ms. tired, pale, and shakey -trys to write a check, sign my name, or fill out any paperwork. People make their own assumptions and a small town is no exception. I have now been trying to break in a new doctor in this new town. More updates on that to come (oh..yippy-lol) I have to admit the best part is adding the "oh yeah, I have anxiety too" they see dollar signs till I tell them I'm not looking for any of the side effect prone pills they make these days for all it's worth. After that they could pretty much careless.lol....soooo...umm...now you know whats new ;) I will try to get myself back into the swing of things here.
Not to mention trying to catch up with all the reading here after my computer fiasco and the need to think I am no longer computer dependant (yeh right!-lol). In reading so many blogs here I'm starting to think I have a sharing problem, I keep having flashes of someone from work or my past finding me here and reading my "issues"-lol. Lets be honest, I really shouldn't be using a real picture of me here but needless to say my intentions were good:p I am currently in the process of finding a new profile picture (just another thing on my to do list)...back to the sharing issue~I find that most of you freely give so much info about yourselves and your thoughts and I've been a little slow to catch up with that. Part of why I started this blog was to re-learn to express myself that I feel I can't in real life (yep, you guessed it, I still have no friends;D). Maybe it was the lapse in access to this place that jogged my thinking a little. Might even be a little guilt as I have a couple new followers that I can't for the life of me figure out what interest my none "sharing" not to the point blogs have to hold there interest-lol. Even now as I look at how much I have written here in this piece and still not managed to get anything productive to say out. So what's new? lets start with what's old that I haven't shared. I'm sure most have figured out that I was not always a socially challenged person so what has changed? I have to say it started long before my move to this new town. The last town I lived in was even smaller then this one. For starters I have essential tremor that has been getting worse. I also have a tendancy to go extremely anemic. Yes, I have been through many doctors who like to run the same tests over and over again, just incase something was missed (of course my insurance doesn't miss it and there for decide they don't want to pay for the lab work..AGain). So as anyone can imagine the looks I get as Ms. tired, pale, and shakey -trys to write a check, sign my name, or fill out any paperwork. People make their own assumptions and a small town is no exception. I have now been trying to break in a new doctor in this new town. More updates on that to come (oh..yippy-lol) I have to admit the best part is adding the "oh yeah, I have anxiety too" they see dollar signs till I tell them I'm not looking for any of the side effect prone pills they make these days for all it's worth. After that they could pretty much careless.lol....soooo...umm...now you know whats new ;) I will try to get myself back into the swing of things here.
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