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Post by Zer0 on Oct 7, 2008 17:17:57 GMT -5
I have decided that I want to open a themed coffee shop. That is what I want to do with life.
Now I know there a lot of problems and issues with this plan. One of which is that I clearly can't afford it now (hence why it's a GOAL, not something I am going to do NOW) and obviously, the draining craphole that is our economy... So let's hope they fix it or make us communist slaves soon so I can do this.
So before you thwart my dream half as bad as my husband already did, look at the pro's: -I HAVE A GOAL NOW. THAT'S BETTER THAN UNEMPLOYMENT. -I can incorporate all the useless skills I have previously earned to keep the place going... -Flower Arrangement and Decour -Advertisement in TV and Radio -Put up an open mic spot or a spot where musicians can play and advertise their music. -my advance knowledge of cafe drinks... and my need to drink them all. -I can set up a network and charge a one-time connection fee for wireless internet. -I'm a morning person. -I can manage a staff.
Ideas I have: -Rock theme. -Hire punk girls who would be encouraged to dress however they want. -Get Stephen to reappulster any furniture in various funky ways. -Put up a "NO WUSS MUSIC" banner on the wall and then sell artwork around it. -Get glass case for jewelry selling. -Bake my famous brownies. -Bake other stoner foods, but with weird twists so that it stays with the theme.
Any other ideas?
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Post by Ultra Juke Joint Jezebel on Oct 7, 2008 17:29:38 GMT -5
Sounds great. You should start looking into government grants and write up a business proposal right away.
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Post by canotila on Oct 7, 2008 20:36:18 GMT -5
Can I come work for you? I don't know nothing about coffee (except what I make for my boyfriend), but I can bake like it's nobody's business.
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 8, 2008 13:07:33 GMT -5
Hell yeah. I have a "Customer isn't always right" policy. I also have a "get the hell out" policy if they give you shit.
I want to brain storm and figure out how I am going to pay for stuff more before I get any kind of grant or loan. After all, we are in economic, epic failure.
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 8, 2008 13:22:22 GMT -5
Okay, I also changed my mind slighly on one thing: I am going to try to do more of a J-Rock touch to my coffee house. Mainly because I want to put something on the market that doesn't really exist. East coasters don't have a lot of privately owned coffee shops. The few that they have are punk-themed.... I've never seen a Japanese coffee house. SO I combine it into a J-Rock/industrial style... or just random shit I like.
J-themes include lots of items containing Matcha (green tea) powder (like my special cookies) and perhaps my Japanese egg omlette dish. Also considering beer and cold coffee drinks from a vending machine that I'd probably keep behind the counter. But it adds to the Nippon touch.
More ideas?
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Post by canotila on Oct 8, 2008 19:46:23 GMT -5
I know nothing about Japanese stuff... now if you wanna do it German style, I can show you the moves baby.
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 8, 2008 21:47:41 GMT -5
I might need it for the pastries. Believe it or not, the Japanese are VERY obsessed with European pastries. And I am obsessed with Japan. It's always neat to learn new cultures. I think I'm trying to appeal to many different markets. I like art and abstract. And Japan is very abstract. So I think it's all a win.
And I'm talking modern-Japan foods and culture. Including J-Rock stuffs. See: Schaft, Schwein, Buck Tick, Dir En Gray, Glay... other things that the Japanese are obsessed with: (i.e. KISS... because i Love them.)
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Post by HighProtein on Oct 10, 2008 9:58:51 GMT -5
Keys to Business Success
I have always studied the rise and falls of small businesses. They all sustaint and fail for the same common reasons. I've known people that owned business for many fruitful years.
Keys to Fail With -Hiring to many employees -Hiring lazy/low energy humans/anti-social -Hiring humans with low hygiene levels and that dress like they're homeless -Ignoring the Customer fully -Not responding to customer's complaints/concerns
Keys to Succeed With -Location that has high volume of car/foot traffic -Location that has other small successful small businesses -Word of Mouth (It beats digital and print media in smaller areas) -Quality = Bang for Buck -Hook Them In - With Environment/Report -Sell what the average and most active customer wants
Go for it! Unsecured credit is backed by nothing so what would they get? Your old coffee machines and J-Rock posters? Do it!
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 10, 2008 12:20:03 GMT -5
Well, I might toy with the theme a bit. If I lived more into a counter-culture area, then I would be able to pull off the J-Rock theme no prob... But I don't. I have hicks and rich people... so... I was thinking more of a zen-new agey-theme. That is, if I open in the AM (vs. PM coffee shop). But that is also determined by location: a morning coffee shop would be best suited for a location that isn't near too much and a nightime shop would be close to the bar scene. So several factors have to be determined soully by location.
Either way, it will kick ass.
I have human resources experience... and now that I don't have a boss that gives the benefit of the doubt to every unfortunate soul, then... well... I'm guaranteed to win. Because I'm fairly selective in my employee search and I only want to hire outgoing, flirtatious baristas.
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Post by Ninara Poll on Oct 21, 2008 20:38:07 GMT -5
Ooooh, can I be a vice-executive, the type everyone knows was hired because of her physical assets and minority status, everyone laughs at because her ideas just don't fit in, everyone ignores in meetings, and who has no real authority or power? Seems that's all I'm qualified for at this point in my life.
NP
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Post by HighProtein on Oct 21, 2008 22:18:17 GMT -5
Zen New Age Works
Slogan... "Charging the inside of your wallet, to bring out your inner peace."
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 22, 2008 11:27:17 GMT -5
hahahaha, I'm thinking about calling it "Dozo" which is Japanese for "please" in the context of "please have this". But yeah, I'm thinking of doing just an international theme... Just to attract different types of people. I'd also frame up various pictures of my worldly travels.
I would be looking for a manager soon after opening. Eventually, I want to profit so that the store is self-run and all I have to do is pay bills. Then with my income I would eventually put all my earnings into adopting a child so my family would be bigger. YAY. Stuff.
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 22, 2008 11:28:26 GMT -5
I should also mention, that I plan on doing community-nights (i.e. open mic, actors guild, film critics, political debates, etc.)
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Post by canotila on Oct 22, 2008 13:47:13 GMT -5
I'm there. Do we get to get up on the counter and dance like hoochie-mommas? I am so there...
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 22, 2008 17:33:06 GMT -5
Don't see why not. Get your tips, ladies. Get your tips... Because I'm paying minimum wage. And the more dollar bills you collect, the more per hour you can make. Although, i do plan on giving 25 cent raises every three months based on good performances.
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Post by canotila on Oct 23, 2008 6:45:28 GMT -5
You need to find a little shop with a little apartment up top so I can live there.
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 23, 2008 8:30:24 GMT -5
Hey, that's what I'm trying to do. I don't drive....
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Post by HighProtein on Oct 24, 2008 15:40:45 GMT -5
Don't see why not. Get your tips, ladies. Get your tips... Because I'm paying minimum wage. And the more dollar bills you collect, the more per hour you can make. Although, i do plan on giving 25 cent raises every three months based on good performances. Having a Fountain of Miracles for customers to throw change in could help.
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Post by Zer0 on Oct 24, 2008 20:46:25 GMT -5
Big ass tip jar always does help.
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Post by HighProtein on Nov 2, 2008 18:33:53 GMT -5
What will this place be called? Themed merchandise could work out.
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Post by Zer0 on Nov 2, 2008 18:44:03 GMT -5
hahahaha, I'm thinking about calling it "Dozo" which is Japanese for "please" in the context of "please have this". Still looking for logo or mascot. I was thinking of Popcorn (My #2 on myspace). Suggestions?
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Post by canotila on Nov 4, 2008 9:10:32 GMT -5
I was so looking for a picture of an ass shaped jar, but apparently they don't make them yet... but when you said "big ass tip jar", I couldn't help but think of Family Guy and the "big ass pinata" hahaha.
Hmm, you should get Popcorn animated. Like Tama and Friends. That'd be adorable. I'm going to do that for my cats and get them tattooed on me. Tama and Friends are Japanese enough, and totally cute hehehe.
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Post by Zer0 on Nov 4, 2008 10:21:17 GMT -5
I'll ask a friend of mine to doctor something up in photoshop.
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Post by Zer0 on Nov 4, 2008 13:29:29 GMT -5
My buddy did a sample logo a while back:
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Post by HighProtein on Nov 4, 2008 13:35:49 GMT -5
Is that the name and is Tea more important to the business model than Coffee?
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Post by Zer0 on Nov 4, 2008 13:48:58 GMT -5
I said it was a sample. Nothing perminant. I do plan on selling tea. I'll probably have "coffee" and "tea" switched.
That's the name I have set on (for now). I really don't have much of a better idea.
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Post by HAIL FUCKING SATAN on Nov 5, 2008 17:04:32 GMT -5
Say 'tea and coffee' out loud. Now say 'coffee and tea.' Which sounds nicer?
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Post by Zer0 on Nov 6, 2008 10:18:57 GMT -5
As nice as it is to join a forum before you start posting comments? Or introducing yourself?
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Post by Dur on Nov 9, 2008 20:19:09 GMT -5
Oh for fuck's sake. Who do you think this is?
Go on, one guess.
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Post by Zer0 on Nov 9, 2008 22:36:02 GMT -5
A retard? *DING DING DING!* Oh! I got it right!
Seriously, dude. Join up, sign in, or don't post. It's that easy.
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