Rosary Acres closing.

It saddens us to realize that an asset to the area, Rosary Acres is closing. Unfortunately, they were not able to hang in there & realize one of their dreams. They will continue to take orders and our coffee will be on the list. I believe the list is in progress but here is a link to the facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=652238438149704&set=a.175901139116772.36150.133203413386545&type=1&theater

This sad news has made me reflect.

My thoughts on having a small business…… any, including ours.
Making a small business succeed is VERY difficult. The overhead has to be kept in line & of course you need the customers. Keeping the overhead affordable is a balancing act. How does a business grow and yet be frugal?
Having a “brick and mortar” in a good location costs a LOT of $$$. First there is the building costs, utilities, insurances and, and, and….  Trying to compete with larger businesses as far as pricing is another dilemma. As a small business, especially a new one, you cannot get the great deals on product because you cannot afford the huge, bulk orders to get a better price or move them quickly enough if you could. Of course, you want everything now and your business space to look like Martha Stewart had just left. That can’t happen either. Once again, the overhead costs have to be watched carefully. That’s not to mention employees. If possible I think it’s best to stay away from hiring as long as possible. That is another drain on the profits plus the B.S. of Workmen’s Comp, S.S., W-2’s + more time & $$ expended/employee.

Personally, I have not had a paycheck in…. I don’t know when. I’ve always been self employed in some for or other and getting those 1099’s. No unemployment wages, no insurance, no nothing including no great verification of income when it comes time to go to a bank either.

 No, having your own business does not mean “making the big bucks” as so many seem to think. It means little or no income and instead of one boss, everyone is your boss. You are solely dependent on anyone and everyone you deal with from clients to suppliers affecting your income.

However, as great as a challenge it is, it can be rewarding. It’s great to see the business grow,  knowing your efforts were worth it. You have to be able to problem solve on a daily basis (some days more than others), numbers crunch, and the fun stuff: create and meet lots of interesting and very nice people (& bite your tongue once in awhile), realize that not everyone is in as big of a hurry as you are, and when necessary re-invent yourselves and a really difficult thing... you can’t take things personally, because it is business.

Been a long time!!

See the last time I was  on here, we were gearing up for the Ligonier Country Market season. That was in May!!! Guess life got way too busy. I forgot all about this blog. Hopefully I will be better now that things have slowed down a bit.
Hope we have some people interested enough to read these.

Prepping for LCM

Getting ready for the first day of the Ligonier Country Market.  Sat. May 18th,  8am to 12
We will be at our usual space, L-4  (the last row- at the exit side and across from Sand Hill Berries)
Hope to see a lot of you there!!

Phew! So much to do to get ready for these markets!  Dave roasts so that we have coffee that is as fresh as possible. Of course there is all the containers filled with so many items + the tent, coffeemakers, airpots and and and. I cannot sleep because I am sure I am forgetting something.
The good old alarm rings way too early, 5 am and I am usually just getting to bed somewhere between midnight and 2 am.
If any of you think I remind you of a zombie…… now you know why. LOL

Hoping all goes well tomorrow. It is always tough the first time, getting into the swing of things again.

Please come say hello and maybe even buy some coffee!!

http://ligoniercountrymarket.com/

Grilling season is coming soon!

Try our DRY COFFEE RUBS!

Delicious on meat, vegetables and some fish!

Use as a rub or in a marinade.

No, it does not taste like you accidentally spilled your cup of coffee on your meal. :~)

The coffee enhances the flavor of the food instead. 

whoops!!! It is NOT National Coffee Day!

Okay, now who do I get mad at, me or Dave? 

He calls at 7 am to tell me it is National Coffee Day. I am to send in ideas of coffee songs to WYEP and maybe hear our name and the song at 4:20 pm.. Wrong!!!! It is Harold Schultz’s birthday…think “Charbucks” and not Nat’l Coffee Day. 
So….. enjoy ALL those 9 songs I posted on facebook  in honor of National Coffee Day- September 29 2013 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Linn-Run-Coffee-Bean-Roastery/105002949554694

Guess I should know that I need to check into the info from Dave first. LOL 
Enjoy Harold Shultz’s birthday today but don’t drink any burnt coffee. haha

HAPPY NATIONAL COFFEE DAY!!!

In honor of National Coffee Day 
a beautiful voice singing The Coffee Cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1PY0N3iGs

For more songs related to our beloved coffee……please go to our facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Linn-Run-Coffee-Bean-Roastery/105002949554694?ref=tn_tnmn

I have attached nine songs.
Who knew there were so many?

Listen to WYEP at 4:20pm
We are hoping to get a song on with mention of OLR on it today too!

Agave blooming At Phipps

Isn’t this beautiful? Don’t think this particular Agave is used for the Agave Nectar people like to put in our coffee at Ligoneir Country Market but it gives you an idea what the plant looks like. We have a lot of questions and this is always one of them….. “What is Agave?” Thought this would give a visual answer.

Our agave lophantha continues to dramatically bloom, marking the completion of its life cycle. The agave dies shortly after blooming, but small offshoots that form at the base of the plant, called “pups,” will grow in its place. Visit tonight to see it in person; we’re open until 10 p.m.!http://bit.ly/WYWJQR
Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

From Phipps Conservatory:    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151522992599259&set=a.320707014258.147024.104851729258&type=1&theater