Profitable farming
"Profitable farming" has been seen in Japanese media for the last few years. Farmers used not to worry about their productivity as there were enough demands and governmental help. But as consumers become more picky and demanding for less expensive foods, they have to change their approach in order to survive.
I found an article (in Japanese) about a woman who runs a flower farm in Hokkaido. She grows several types of "accent" plants used in bouquets; wheat, eucalyptus and other plants almost considered "weeds (not THAT weeds! I mean the miscellaneous plants on the sidewalk.) They can be grown from seeds inexpensively and require minimal care.
What can I do to make Snappy's a profitable coffee shop?
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I found an article (in Japanese) about a woman who runs a flower farm in Hokkaido. She grows several types of "accent" plants used in bouquets; wheat, eucalyptus and other plants almost considered "weeds (not THAT weeds! I mean the miscellaneous plants on the sidewalk.) They can be grown from seeds inexpensively and require minimal care.
What can I do to make Snappy's a profitable coffee shop?
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Journal
I have been keeping a journal toward my cafe opening for a few years. It contains lots of scribbles of my ideas, observations, quotes and even some fortune cookie strips taped on pages. I revisit old pages once in a while to remind myself of my plan and thoughts.
This blog serves a similar purpose, but my journal is just messy as only I would read it. I also have noticed information register in my mind better when I physically write it.
One of Mr. G's customer, Marian, writes her 90-day plan in her journal to keep on track. I have taken up this idea and highlighted 2 pages for my first 90-day plan. One of the objectives is, of course, 'File tax return.'
Japanese version of this entry is here.
This blog serves a similar purpose, but my journal is just messy as only I would read it. I also have noticed information register in my mind better when I physically write it.
One of Mr. G's customer, Marian, writes her 90-day plan in her journal to keep on track. I have taken up this idea and highlighted 2 pages for my first 90-day plan. One of the objectives is, of course, 'File tax return.'
Japanese version of this entry is here.
September, 2008
(Continued from August, 2008.)
I drafted my proposal and visited a law office. My friend who also owns a business referred to this attorney, and I liked how the receptionist talked to me on the phone. The fee was also reasonable, and his office was close to Snappy's.
Based on attorney's comments, I revised the proposal and submitted to the landlord with a deposit. He called me laughing because his staff cashed my deposit check before he thoroughly reviewed the proposal. But he said the proposal was "OK" and sent me a lease agreement.
I contemplated a little whether or not to pay the attorney again to have the lease reviewed. But I am glad I made the investment. He pointed out my oversights and gave me valuable advices. I also added another clause regarding the exclusivity and came to an agreement with the landlord.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I drafted my proposal and visited a law office. My friend who also owns a business referred to this attorney, and I liked how the receptionist talked to me on the phone. The fee was also reasonable, and his office was close to Snappy's.
Based on attorney's comments, I revised the proposal and submitted to the landlord with a deposit. He called me laughing because his staff cashed my deposit check before he thoroughly reviewed the proposal. But he said the proposal was "OK" and sent me a lease agreement.
I contemplated a little whether or not to pay the attorney again to have the lease reviewed. But I am glad I made the investment. He pointed out my oversights and gave me valuable advices. I also added another clause regarding the exclusivity and came to an agreement with the landlord.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
August, 2008
(Continued from March 2008 Part 2)
The office space of my interest back in February of 2006 became vacant again. As soon as I saw the “For Rent” sign, I called Wayne. He said he was expecting my call and said “Go ahead and see inside. The back door is open. Be careful that inside is quite different from how it was before, and call me again if you are still interested.”
So I headed to the building and stepped inside through the back door. Yes, it was very different inside. It seemed that the previous tenant wanted to use the entire building for commercial or industrial purposes and had started construction. There were piles of wall and ceiling material on the floor. Yet I was still motivated to open a café where once an office used to be at and called Wayne right away. He mentioned the approximate rent he was considering and then told me to come up with a lease proposal.
Fortunately I found a sample of proposal to lease on the Internet and started writing mine right away. It basically listed what I could keep (after moving out) would be of my responsibility, and what he could keep would be of his.
Of course it was important for me to reduce my cost, but I also wanted to create a win-win situation between us. I wouldn’t have been there should he have not cared to tell me how naïve I was back in 2006.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
The office space of my interest back in February of 2006 became vacant again. As soon as I saw the “For Rent” sign, I called Wayne. He said he was expecting my call and said “Go ahead and see inside. The back door is open. Be careful that inside is quite different from how it was before, and call me again if you are still interested.”
So I headed to the building and stepped inside through the back door. Yes, it was very different inside. It seemed that the previous tenant wanted to use the entire building for commercial or industrial purposes and had started construction. There were piles of wall and ceiling material on the floor. Yet I was still motivated to open a café where once an office used to be at and called Wayne right away. He mentioned the approximate rent he was considering and then told me to come up with a lease proposal.
Fortunately I found a sample of proposal to lease on the Internet and started writing mine right away. It basically listed what I could keep (after moving out) would be of my responsibility, and what he could keep would be of his.
Of course it was important for me to reduce my cost, but I also wanted to create a win-win situation between us. I wouldn’t have been there should he have not cared to tell me how naïve I was back in 2006.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
March, 2007 (Part 2)
(Continued from Part 1.)
Wayne emailed me back later:
Sky, the first space you contacted me for is still open. It is too large for your operation, but we maybe able to rent you half of it.
He offered half of the space I saw his “for lease” sign about a year earlier. It was facing to the back parking lot, so that he can rent the other half facing to the main street to someone else.
I rushed to banks to apply for small business loan just to be declined by all but one. The one offered me a rate of prime plus 10%. Main reasons for rejection were:
1. I did not have any business experience.
2. I did not have any collateral, such as a house.
Meanwhile, Wayne found a tenant who could rent the whole unit. That was the end of this discussion, but I at least learned that it is almost impossible to get a loan.
(Continue to August, 2008.)
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Wayne emailed me back later:
Sky, the first space you contacted me for is still open. It is too large for your operation, but we maybe able to rent you half of it.
He offered half of the space I saw his “for lease” sign about a year earlier. It was facing to the back parking lot, so that he can rent the other half facing to the main street to someone else.
I rushed to banks to apply for small business loan just to be declined by all but one. The one offered me a rate of prime plus 10%. Main reasons for rejection were:
1. I did not have any business experience.
2. I did not have any collateral, such as a house.
Meanwhile, Wayne found a tenant who could rent the whole unit. That was the end of this discussion, but I at least learned that it is almost impossible to get a loan.
(Continue to August, 2008.)
Japanese version of this entry is here.
