the ramblings from a "PAIN IN THE BUTT”  on  FRIDAYS

Here it is, late night Friday. Just realized that I committed myself to these Friday posts. Damn. I hate commitments! ;~)  I guess I will just share some of the issues that I am sure all small businesses have to think about and deal with. 

During this slow season, we have time to consider what we need to be doing to increase sales and hopefully find we need to expand.  What do you do to not be just an “expensive hobby”? 

Marketing….. that must be one of the big dilemmas (or dilemna if you choose) of all businesses, especially if you are small and relatively new like us. How to sell our product directly more than wholesale..especially without that “brick and mortar” is the question. 

Another issue to keep in mind is the overhead costs. I think you need to be mindful of keeping those costs down as much as possible in the beginning. I’ve seen too many start ups jump right in, spending money as if they had it, a nice costly building, perfectly decorated, lots of inventory and all the fun stuff. Along comes the real B.S., ie: insurance, utilities, licenses…… plus the fact that you need guaranteed income to pay for it and then some. Quite a scary prospect! Often the businesses are here today and gone tomorrow. So what is the answer? When is the time to go for it vs. holding back a bit more? That is the risk, the timing that has to be decided, and hopefully the right decision.

We are finally breaking down and starting a website. Being a small business with virtually no “brick and mortar” building to operate out of, it is difficult to sell directly other than the country markets. A few friends and business clients have suggested the website. Of course some others have said that they've not gotten enough business from theirs to pay for the costs. What to do…….

Our current, less extravagant, plan of opening a small, home based shop here in Rector is going so SLOOOOOOOW! I thought it would have been ready this past July. However, other issues took our time away from it. Here we are, mid-February and still not open. I am quite frustrated. A lot of the work to remodel the building seems to go in spurts. I seemed to be making progress with the insulation in the ceiling awhile ago. It was difficult doing it alone. Quite a bit of acrobatic moves with two ladders and having to use my head to hold up the insulation etc, a comedy act. I thought  we could get the rest completed in no time but we have to do things during free time and good weather which has not happened often. Oh well, some day soon I hope we will be telling everyone that we are open for business…whatever that means as a “home business” in Ligonier Twp. At least it will be home for the roaster and we can have some semblance of an actual business, close to home. 

Another “brilliant idea” we’re still working on is looking for something to use for a cafe to continue at Linn Run State Park. We loved being there each weekend in the fall. We heard a lot of positive comments and it was well received. We have an exclusive license for there and are constantly on the lookout for the right option to replace the tent we currently use for the country markets etc. 

Something else that I am trying to discover: How do we get the word out that we are also “green”? A friend, Michelle, and I were discussing that a lot of big businesses are jumping on the “green” bandwagon to market their products. She mentioned that we should consider using materials etc and let it be known. Ironically, we have been doing that all along simply because that is something important to us, whether it is in style or not. Our beans not only are Grade one, they are Direct Trade, organic and/or sustainably grown. Some have those feel good “stories to tell” of saving birds, building villages etc. Our cups are made from recycled material and also made in the USA, we pay extra but….  We donate to organizations when we have extra $ to do so. However, how in the hell do we get all that info out to the customers? I can design and print as many informational signs that I want but does anyone read them? Where do I put all these signs? We would need a separate tent just for what I affectionately call the “blah blah”.  How do we get it through to the conscientious consumer that purchasing our coffee is helping the planet + +  just like those other companies that they read about? The big difference though…. our coffee is also Grade One and Fresh roasted! What is the answer? I don’t know yet. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Well, it is officially Saturday now. I have written a long post. Don’t know if anyone reads these, especially the long winded posts. If you are out there reading this…. it would be great to hear from you!   Thanks again! Kandi