Lots has happened since the last time we talked... or you read, or maybe I just wrote. Ha Ha..
I opened a coffee shop, art gallery, gift shop, place to jam, read poetry and just hang out. It is all good. It has been an adventure to be sure...
You see, when I opened this little shop I didn't know anything about coffee. I knew about building houses. Those two things have nothing in common. To say the least, I was stressed out. But, like everything, I got through it and I am off and running. I am still painting too, but most of my time is spent pouring coffee, steaming milk, mixing smoothies and talking with all my new friends. I love coffee lovers! I have the best customers in the whole world. We have fun here. We solve plenty of problems and come up with some great ideas... talk about our dreams and hopes and figure out how we will make it through today.... But, mostly we learn things. I learn. We learn.
That is what I am dedicating my blog to - Things I learn. Up 'til now I have made my blog about my personal life.... exciting (ha) but not the direction I want to go. I would like to share all the things all these amazing people that I now know teach me... each day......
so.... here it goes:
I was at a meeting/conference/networking deal last week. Now, I wasn't raised (by Mom #1) as a joiner, but I am a joiner by nature (Mom #2 had a hand in that from a land far far away... it is a nature nurture thing.. but I digress) Anyways... I am at this deal and there are lots of small business owners there. My great friend and knower of all things small business Joanne Osmond invited me. IT WAS SO COOL! Cool people, nice people, smart business people and the food was great. We did a little round table do's and don'ts thing and heard from the owner of Super Dog! Super Dog! Just close to the most famous hot dog stand in Chicago... and what a story. The following list of items are some of the thing I learned last week. It is fun to be a joiner....
DO make a systems manual for your new business. List everything out... everything you do and how to do it. Give it to all your employees and be sure they actually READ it... and you read it too, every now and then.
DON'T get over extended. KNOW where all of your money is going and be sure to be flexible with your plan (more about plans later). Some things may not be as rockin' as you thought... change it up.... Be adaptable.
Treat your employees how you would like to be treated. Respect them and their time, they will return the favor. If Not, don't be afraid to move on... it is your business and your life... everyone should be on board.
Be CONFIDENT. Give yourself VALUE. Figure out WHO YOU REALLY ARE. Figure out what you want for your life. Get your belief system dialed in clearly... your decisions will be easier to make if you have these 4 Pillars firmly in place to build your foundation on.
Send out thank you emails to your vendors! Tell them you are excited to have their product and you are selling them! They love it and you will make their day!
If you are lactose intolerant and the dessert at the deal is bananas foster and you can't eat it... just take a banana off the table and have that for dessert. People will think you are super healthy ;)
And finally....
DON'T TAKE AN ASPIRIN FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S HEADACHE.
That's it for today... I will learn more tomorrow.. and I will share that soon!
Best,
Julie - Julie's Coffeewww.juliescoffeeshop.com
