| By Ramodeo (Ramodeo) on Friday, July 28, 2000 - 08:10 pm: Edit |
Hey everyone! My husband and I are in the last two weeks before opening our new restaurant and I just feel the need for a little support from others who have been there - and survived!
Maybe there's another message board out there with exactly this function, but I've got no time to look for one, so I'll stick with my webfoodpros.com!
Things are so crazy right now that I've barely got time to even be on the computer, but I sneak in time between editing our menu and setting up our books...
It all seems so never-ending right now, even though the end is actually in sight. Will the electricians *ever* get done and get all their stuff out of the way? Will we ever be able to clean up the place? I guess we better, the Health Dept. is coming on Wednesday! There are so many little details to attend to, it's quite overwhelming. I keep thinking that it'll all be better once we can just open the doors, even though I know that we'll be encountering a whole new set of challenges.
To those of you who've been through this - how does it change when you finally get the doors open? Even though I know there will still be lots of challenges, I'm hoping they will be the kind of challenges that I've got some experience with - like serving customers, or getting the food out, or dealing with employees; as opposed to the challenges we've faced the last few weeks, like what do you do when your drywaller doesn't show up for 10 days cuz he's gotten thrown in jail!!! I'm glad I can laugh about it!
Anyway... I'd love to hear some words of wisdom from those of you who've been there!
| By RDB on Friday, July 28, 2000 - 11:18 pm: Edit |
IT never really changes, if it don,t kill ya it will make you stronger. join the local chapter of the resturant association, and your local chamber of commerce they can help set up a data base of reliable people to help when all hell breaks loose ie. plumming,elec.problems,equipment break downs, law suites ect. also S.C.O.R.E., retired buissines & professionals from all areas of buissines they were very helpful. GOOD LUCK ,
RICHAD BROYLES(RDB)
| By Panini (Panini) on Saturday, July 29, 2000 - 03:01 pm: Edit |
It never changes, cooking and serving customers will always be about 20-30% of your work.
Baking? not this week. ATTORNEYS! a large restaurant group in town with a 5 star, a 4 star etc. decided to steal my name for their new venture. They actually opened but decided to change the name. Costing me plenty but saving me thousands if they wanted to go forward.
Attorneys! finally got the airconditioning problem solved with the landlord, He'll pay for 1/2 and give us a 3 yr. option. My attorney thought we better take what we got.
You will see the rewards though. Just wait. a glass of wine, counting reciepts, it will come.
The best of luck to you!
any business ?'s email.
| By Rock Star on Monday, July 31, 2000 - 08:25 pm: Edit |
This business sounds great! It seems as though it is a lot of BST (Blood Sweat and Tears) but totally rewarding. I am thinking of going into this business with family members and would like to hear more about the stumbling blocks and high points. I am in Sales right now in New York City and this adventure may take me back to the Dallas Forth Worth area, with an exciting new concept in the restaurant world.
Can you send some inspiring words?
| By Ramodeo (Ramodeo) on Monday, July 31, 2000 - 09:07 pm: Edit |
Thanks for the responses!
Rock Star - I'm only in the beginning, but I can tell you that you've got to love what you're doing to be able to put in the "BS&T". I'd examine carefully the concept you're looking at , and just what your role will be - and if your role is something you love to do.
My husband and I have tried really hard to structure this thing we're doing so that it fulfills both our dreams and needs. We had many "discussions" where one of us had to rein the other in to keep from taking over.
I can tell you also that there are very few people on this earth that I could go through this process with. I feel really lucky that my husbands is one of them! There's lots of things we definitely *don't* do together, too! :) It would be a nightmare for me to get into something like this with the wrong person, especially when you get to the point of no return!
Good Luck!