The past month has involved a lot of sitting around waiting, and it looks like November will provide much of the same. I'm not very good at biding time, but I'm confident that in the vein of "good things come to those who wait", I'm quietly twitterpated about the new space I'm looking to secure in The Melrose Project.
This new development has already gotten a lot of press, and while I don't want to get too ahead of myself, it's pretty much a sure thing that The Calf & Kid will be laying roots in this amazing space. Not only will it be home to my hands-down favorite Seattle restaurant of all time, Sitka and Spruce, but I will also be sharing common market space with a butcher - oh how I have longed for a good local butcher! - a small florist, and others. I'm simply plussed.
In the meantime I'm working on a dozen little things that can be done ahead of time, and reflecting on how long it's taken me to get here, from playing with the idea of a cheese shop over 2 years ago to now, it seems like an awfully long time. I have to admit I was very self-conscious about the fact that my projections for an opening date repeatedly moved back, and back, and then back some more. It seems like all around me small businesses crop up in no time at all, but in my case every corner I turned seemed to add on months of time suckage. But then again, that is just my pace in this endeavor. I refuse to rush anything so important as this, and that has resulted in favorable outcomes that I never could have forseen more than a few times. I'm not saying that anyone else looking into opening a cheese shop, or any small business for that matter, should consider my experience that standard - the process is surely different for everyone. While I don't consider myself a spiritual person in any sense, I can't help but think of Ralph Emerson's quote about the Zen philosophy of the journey:
"The voyage of the best ship is the zigzag line of a hundred tacks. See the line from a sufficient distance, and it straightens itself to the average tendency."
Maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better for making so many sideways steps towards my ultimate goal; maybe I'm actually working in a way that will help me achieve sustainability as a businesswoman. Maybe the fact that the closest I get to meditation is scribbling on a bar napkin after several beers. Whatever it is, it feels right, I'm constantly getting reassurance from my fellow Seattlites that I'm doing the right thing, and for now that's enough to keep me going.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ooh La La!
Seattlites, friends, cheeselovers! Start practicing your best/worst French accent and join C&K and Poco Wine Room this Sunday for a very special cheese and wine pairing celebrating the best that fall has to offer: les produits de Francias!
The Calf & Kid and Poco Wine Room present: La Campagne, a celebration of the French countryside.
We promise some delightful surprises in store for this tasting event, including pours from some of the best bottles of Burgundy, concoctions avec fromage from the Poco Wine Room kitchen, and of course, the most delectable cheese this side of the Pacific.
Vive la fromage!
The Calf & Kid and Poco Wine Room present: La Campagne, a celebration of the French countryside.
We promise some delightful surprises in store for this tasting event, including pours from some of the best bottles of Burgundy, concoctions avec fromage from the Poco Wine Room kitchen, and of course, the most delectable cheese this side of the Pacific.
Vive la fromage!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pitbull
The past few weeks have been very trying, and after hours of wringing my hands and pulling hair, alas the bank is just not going to give me a loan. I must say, through this process of starting up a small business, I never in my wildest dreams thought that securing a minimal amount of financing from the bank would be such an ulcerating experience. Certainly all banks are cutting way back on their small business lending these days, and of those they are still granting, startup's are at the bottom of the totem pole. But I still thought that upon bringing in more than 75% of my total startup expenses, having excellent credit and a kickass business plan, would put me in good stead to acquire the piddly amount left over to cover my proposed budget. In my case, it all came down to collateral, namely not owning property.
However, this time is seriously nigh for me to make this happen no matter what. Where there's a will there's a way, right? My amazing and supportive husband has often brought me out of financial woe by encouraging me to summon my inner Pitbull, and so with the tenacity of a dog that doesn't take no for an answer, I'm gearing up for plan B.
I always knew it was a good thing to create my budget and financial forecasts for the most expensive space I could find, and leave more than enough cash on hand for padding. So with the generous help of my investors and new members of The Calf & Kid, I am moving forward full steam ahead. Luckily there are multiple commercial spaces in Seattle that are small, modest, and still centrally located in Capitol Hill. I'll be looking at one of them tomorrow, may the cheese gods be with me.
However, this time is seriously nigh for me to make this happen no matter what. Where there's a will there's a way, right? My amazing and supportive husband has often brought me out of financial woe by encouraging me to summon my inner Pitbull, and so with the tenacity of a dog that doesn't take no for an answer, I'm gearing up for plan B.
I always knew it was a good thing to create my budget and financial forecasts for the most expensive space I could find, and leave more than enough cash on hand for padding. So with the generous help of my investors and new members of The Calf & Kid, I am moving forward full steam ahead. Luckily there are multiple commercial spaces in Seattle that are small, modest, and still centrally located in Capitol Hill. I'll be looking at one of them tomorrow, may the cheese gods be with me.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Twiddling thumbs
I've found myself with less and less time to blog or tweet about happenings with the shop lately. This is a good thing, it means I'm so busy running around making things happen that I can almost taste the sweet, cheesy aroma of The Calf & Kid.
I'm extremely happy to report that the first tasting event at Poco Wine Room was a smashing success. Peter Moore, proprietor and overall awesome dude was batting his A game out of ball park along with myself, a fabulous selection of cheese, wine, and amazing foodies. I was literally flushed throughout the event; I'm still amazed that we managed to sell out and then some, to a crowd of enraptured cheese and wine lovers who are hungry for more! Peter and I had so much fun, it could hardly be called work, and we are already gearing up for the next tasting event in late October, "La Campagne", a celebration of French wine and cheese. Vive la fromage!
In the meantime, I'm playing the waiting game on the legal/paperwork front, and I've been shopping around town for equipment and supplies - not buying yet, just pricing. I'm very happy to report that it looks like I'll be able to furnish the entire shop with used materials. Thank you Seattle, for being so green-friendly! There are multiple salvage warehouses with oodles of doors, counters and tops, shelving, etc., and not only does it make a difference in the amount of new items not being produced for my sake, but it's cheap, so incredibly cheap! I'm also very lucky to have a good friend who's one of those amazing gals who can look at some dilapidated piece of junk and see the potential in it to look fabulous with a little refinishing and a fresh coat of paint. Oh, and I can even buy green surplus paint for a fraction of the cost!
Back to geeking out on surplus websites all evening....
I'm extremely happy to report that the first tasting event at Poco Wine Room was a smashing success. Peter Moore, proprietor and overall awesome dude was batting his A game out of ball park along with myself, a fabulous selection of cheese, wine, and amazing foodies. I was literally flushed throughout the event; I'm still amazed that we managed to sell out and then some, to a crowd of enraptured cheese and wine lovers who are hungry for more! Peter and I had so much fun, it could hardly be called work, and we are already gearing up for the next tasting event in late October, "La Campagne", a celebration of French wine and cheese. Vive la fromage!
In the meantime, I'm playing the waiting game on the legal/paperwork front, and I've been shopping around town for equipment and supplies - not buying yet, just pricing. I'm very happy to report that it looks like I'll be able to furnish the entire shop with used materials. Thank you Seattle, for being so green-friendly! There are multiple salvage warehouses with oodles of doors, counters and tops, shelving, etc., and not only does it make a difference in the amount of new items not being produced for my sake, but it's cheap, so incredibly cheap! I'm also very lucky to have a good friend who's one of those amazing gals who can look at some dilapidated piece of junk and see the potential in it to look fabulous with a little refinishing and a fresh coat of paint. Oh, and I can even buy green surplus paint for a fraction of the cost!
Back to geeking out on surplus websites all evening....
Monday, September 14, 2009
Brow wiping
Whew! The past week has been a flurry of wrapping up details for the premier cheese and wine tasting at Poco Wine Room. We sold almost 3/4 of our available slots before the weekend was over, and just today we are officially sold out! I couldn't be happier. We are already planning the theme for October's event, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.
I've also been doing the investor dance with the small group wonderful individuals who are putting forth their heartfelt commitment, and opening their wallets, to help make The Calf & Kid a reality. Hopefully this week will see us signing paperwork and taking the final plunge.
Now it's on to pricing equipment - thankfully there is a lot of great used stuff out there in this economy - and putting a little fire under my own ass to keep things moving as swiftly as possible, permits be damned.
Otherwise, I am taking full advantage of the moments I have here and there to sit and reflect on the journey that has taken me to this point so far. Overall, I have to say that I constantly count my blessings and thank all the people who have given me advice, contacts, contacts of contacts, and especially all the support I've received from cheese lovers everywhere. The Seattle community has stood up for their love of cheese, and one way or another I will deliver!
I've also been doing the investor dance with the small group wonderful individuals who are putting forth their heartfelt commitment, and opening their wallets, to help make The Calf & Kid a reality. Hopefully this week will see us signing paperwork and taking the final plunge.
Now it's on to pricing equipment - thankfully there is a lot of great used stuff out there in this economy - and putting a little fire under my own ass to keep things moving as swiftly as possible, permits be damned.
Otherwise, I am taking full advantage of the moments I have here and there to sit and reflect on the journey that has taken me to this point so far. Overall, I have to say that I constantly count my blessings and thank all the people who have given me advice, contacts, contacts of contacts, and especially all the support I've received from cheese lovers everywhere. The Seattle community has stood up for their love of cheese, and one way or another I will deliver!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
tick tick tock
The waiting game, I've never been good at it.
In the past few weeks, nothing and everything has been happening. Momentum has picked up on the front of finding investors (yay!), and steps towards securing a micro-loan to make up for the fact that I'm not eligible for a SBA loan. Contractors are busy bees putting bids together for build out on the space and for a little bit there I was feeling caught up in it and sure that I could work my butt off to make the shop open before the holiday season. Today I received a good dose of red tape reality from the DPD; they are saying 6-8 weeks before my permit for construction will be approved because it has to go through the health department. A little lesson to all those out there who are thinking of opening up shop eh? Not that I could have done much about this anyway, seeing as the intention of locking down a space is what gets one to the point of needing to secure such permits. Anyhoo, just another minor setback, I'm trying my hardest not to let it get me down. Hell, that's just another month or so of continued cheese tasting!
Another, more important bit of news is that my good friend Mike of Royal Magnethas been working for cheese to design the new logo for the Calf & Kid. Below are two mock up's; they're pretty different and I love both of them, so now's the time for cheese geeks everywhere to give me some feedback! Which one do you like and why? You can email or comment or however you choose to spew your opinions, just do it in the next week because I've got to lock down this baby for the tasting at Poco Wine Room next week.
It's up to you, Seattle and beyond!
In the past few weeks, nothing and everything has been happening. Momentum has picked up on the front of finding investors (yay!), and steps towards securing a micro-loan to make up for the fact that I'm not eligible for a SBA loan. Contractors are busy bees putting bids together for build out on the space and for a little bit there I was feeling caught up in it and sure that I could work my butt off to make the shop open before the holiday season. Today I received a good dose of red tape reality from the DPD; they are saying 6-8 weeks before my permit for construction will be approved because it has to go through the health department. A little lesson to all those out there who are thinking of opening up shop eh? Not that I could have done much about this anyway, seeing as the intention of locking down a space is what gets one to the point of needing to secure such permits. Anyhoo, just another minor setback, I'm trying my hardest not to let it get me down. Hell, that's just another month or so of continued cheese tasting!
Another, more important bit of news is that my good friend Mike of Royal Magnethas been working for cheese to design the new logo for the Calf & Kid. Below are two mock up's; they're pretty different and I love both of them, so now's the time for cheese geeks everywhere to give me some feedback! Which one do you like and why? You can email or comment or however you choose to spew your opinions, just do it in the next week because I've got to lock down this baby for the tasting at Poco Wine Room next week.
It's up to you, Seattle and beyond!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
as the saying goes...
... when it rains, it certainly does pour! Hard to believe that a mere week ago I was chewing the tips of my fingers in worry over financing for the shop. Now, in such a short space of time, I find myself with multiple investors and I do believe I am beginning to round the top of the great first hill of the roller coaster that is this adventure into small business ownership.
Now is the time for counting eggs, which I'm not want to do, but I feel there's a time for it in any entrepreneural endeavor. The money is forthcoming, lawyers are doing their little dance, so in the meantime I am moving forward doing everything I can to ready preparations on the space, contracting, etc. so that I can make this whirlwind take shape in the form of opening in November, just in time for holiday shopping. I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped me out thus far, be it in the form of free press, investing in my dream, giving moral support along the way, to even offering blood, sweat and tears when it's needed in exchange for cheese. If only I could pay everyone off in curds and whey!
Now is the time for counting eggs, which I'm not want to do, but I feel there's a time for it in any entrepreneural endeavor. The money is forthcoming, lawyers are doing their little dance, so in the meantime I am moving forward doing everything I can to ready preparations on the space, contracting, etc. so that I can make this whirlwind take shape in the form of opening in November, just in time for holiday shopping. I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped me out thus far, be it in the form of free press, investing in my dream, giving moral support along the way, to even offering blood, sweat and tears when it's needed in exchange for cheese. If only I could pay everyone off in curds and whey!
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