Clutter partially cleared

After a few attempts, I finally opened the storage door and donated unwanted items to charities. That was my way to stimulating the economy, by circulating material around.

My place, however, still is not as clear as I expected. That is because, now I realize, I simply removed a few things readily visible and replaced with some other stuff. Junks pile up because what unused/forgotten are pushed to somewhere not easily accessible/visible. What I really should have was to remove EVERYTHING from the storage, clean the space, and store only what absolutely positively necessary to keep.

I guess I have to make another trip to the storage, well, sometime.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Officially recession

Loan approval is difficult.
Less money is circulated.
Dining out is reduced.
No cash flow kills small businesses.
Restaurants close.
Used equipment is on sale.
Landlords will to rent out vacant spaces.
High unemployment rate means employer’s market.
Many would take physical labor jobs.
Discount stores prosper.
“Small treasure/prize” type products are popular.

Not a good time to start a business?

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Wisdom passed

Mr. G gave me more advises about coffee shop business.
1. Make sure to have a reliable car with adequate compartment space. His recommendation is small Subaru truck or Prius. I agree with him that I do not look good on a pickup, lol.
2. Take a vacation before café grand opening. Visit your family living far away.
3. Have extra electrical outlets: near entrances and behind the counter (high voltage near the counter and kitchen back wall.)
4. Be prepared to have no social life during the first year. That may affect those who are very close to you.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

“It’s me” fraud

My parents in Japan recently received a strange phone call from some guy pretended to be their son. That guy actually knew the son is in overseas and acted as if he had caught a cold (excuse for the strange voice), but he mispronounced his own (supposedly) name, dah!

Phony calls like this have been reported lately in Japan. A young person calls an elder and says “mom/dad, it’s me! I’ve got into a car accident and need money right away. Send money to this account: xyz123abc (whatever)” and hangs up. Some elders really believe their kids have gotten into a trouble and send money to a strange account without any doubt. By the time they actually talk to their kids nothing happened to, the money is gone.

It is unfortunate some take advantage of those who trust easily.

I have heard state of Utah has the highest rate of white crime as well as the lowest gun possession rate.
Japanese version of this entry is here.

Collecting seeds

As there will be several months before Snappy’s opens its door, more time should be used to focus on start-up finance, I have realized.

My small business loan application was rejected by banks 2 years ago, and it would be probably more difficult to obtain loans from them now. But I will revisit the issue. I will also visit local small business administration office to seek some advice.

I have also decided to take another full-time job. Even if I can borrow some money from somewhere, debts cost the business. It is also a good time to take advantage of fringe benefit and fix my teeth and get a new pair of glasses.

I expected the job hunting would be very difficult in this state of economy, but it was not as bad in food-related industry. People still have to eat!

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Ice Cream Shop

In a Hispanic business district I frequent, there is a tiny ice cream shop. Their ice creams are made according to traditional Mexican recipe, and unique flavors include avocado, corn and rose.

This business has been around for a while and been featured by various magazines and newspapers, some of which articles are posted around the shop.

I see owner Jose’s family working behind the counter in summer, but Jose is by himself most of the time in winter. He is just hanging out, joking with people at neighboring businesses and serving ice cream to a few customers.

How is Jose’s business surviving in winter? My guesses are:
1. The shop makes enough money during on-season to stay afloat in off-season.
2. He sells enough wholesale (ex. restaurants) in winter to keep positive cash flow.
3. Other family member provides income during winter.
4. He in fact owns another business.
5. He is actually very rich, and ice cream is just his hobby.

Will investigate more!

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Live music

Paid another visit to Mr. G’s coffee shop to see my friend’s jazz band. The place was packed, and I found Mr. G working by himself. He was too busy taking orders to make any drinks. So I jumped in without giving him a chance to stop me.

Another part-timer arrived a few minutes later, and we caught up with orders soon after that. Mr. G even sent me to a neighboring restaurant to pick up the take-out dinner he phoned-in earlier in the evening. We all had dinner behind the counter, enjoying the music.

As we expect any food service business with slow customer flow in January, it was nice to see the place packed. Hope those in the audience will come back to the shop soon.

Snappy’s will be much smaller than G’s, but I hope to have some type of entertainment there, throughout the year.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Hard time for the unemployed

I had a chance talk to a hotel manager who has just posted an ad at Craigslist about their front desk position. He received 500(!) resumes for one posting.

What a buyer's market!

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Clearing clutter

Thanks to Mr. G’s generosity, my room is getting packed with equipment and tools from his store. Slow economy means money needs to be circulated more, but maybe I can contribute by circulating more material (i.e. junks from my storage) around.

I don’t know much about feng-shui, but I think it says something about keeping the space free of clutter to encourage more positive energy flow.

I haven’t visited my storage for a while and can’t remember what are there. That pretty much means they are unnecessary, right?

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Fancy Food Show

Registered for Fancy Food Show held in San Francisco on January 18th through 20th next year.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Pendant lights

Here are the candidates so far. Please let me know what you would choose if you were to open a coffee shop. Wall is brick and the ceiling is black. Thank you!

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8


#9


Japanese version of this entry is here.

Ceiling diagram

Received ceiling diagram from the architect and responded to make sure his creativity is not adding too much $$ for fancy stuff.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Practically unique

Received a mail from my architect. The envelope looked like to contain one of those ordinary holiday cards exchanged between businesses this season. Front of the card inside actually had a holiday greeting, but the rest of it was a calendar.

A little creativity counts, I thought.

Instead of tossed away with other cards in January, this one, with the architect studio name, will be stuck on my fridge.

Whether or not I like the calendar design is another story…

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Spot lights

So far, choices for spot lights (the ones directly attached to the track) are:

#1


#2 (this in copper color)


#3 (this whole thing in copper)


Let me know how you think. Thank you in advance!

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Light positions

I really appreciate comments and suggestions on lights. Thank you! Also understand more clarification is better for picturing the space.

Cafe will have a high ceiling with lighting track hung from it. Like this:


(Lighting track is the skinny pole lights are attached to.)
Wall will be brick, and ceiling black.

Some of the lights in the shop will be like the ones in the picture above. Some others will be 'pendant' style at lower level like this:


I hope I didn't confuse you more...

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Lighting survey

Received pictures of light fixtures from my architect, and boy I am bombarded! There are so many to choose from.

Which one would you choose for a cafe with brick wall? (Fixture and attachment colors can be changed)
http://www.waclighting.com/USA/products/?categoryid=31
http://www.waclighting.com/USA/products/?categoryid=33
http://www.techlighting.com/default.asp?page=products&subpage=fixture&cls=14&nme=Pendants&sa=va

I really appreciate your comments. Please let me know how you would decorate if you were to open a cafe. Thank you.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Work place safety

I have mentioned workplace safety to provide a good work environment. Employee safety could mean in terms of accident- or injury- free but also no worries of their personal safety. Even if the company is located in a good neighborhood, the employer could enhance the safety by setting up surveillance camera system and lighting up the parking lot.

I had my belongings stolen when I helped my friend’s store located in a rough area. Shop lifting also happened several times at the same location. The thief, often a teenager, came to the store and asked for a sample of something displayed behind me. While I was facing my back to him/her, s/he took something into his/her pocket and took off.

I admit I was careless, but I became tired of having to doubt everyone. So I decided to leave.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

More studying to do.

In addition to tax and business regulations, I still have to study for Food Safety Certification...

Went to landlord Wayne's office this morning. I usually see Mary to take cafe of business, but today Wayne was there also. He looked well and sounded excited about my cafe project.

In the afternoon, I received another email from the architect, Mr. B. It contained several photos of lights and tracks in his past projects. It is difficult for me to visualize different lights in a space that is yet to be built, but, with Mr. B's expertise, things are moving along.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

So thankful

Went to Mr. G's coffee shop again.

He opened one of cabinets, stuck his head in for a while and pulled out a brand-new blender and 2 tops. Setting them on the counter, he said "take them to your car."　When I came back from loading the blender into my car, the entire cash register system that was replace by new touch-screen system recently was there.

Mr. G: "that goes to your car too..."
I: "Huh?..... (speechless)"
Mr. G. "Use it until your shop makes money to buy one."
I: "But, I ..... (still looking for a word to say.)"
Mr. G: "You need it, no?"
I: "Yes... I mean, THANK YOU!"

Another moment that reminded me how fortunate I am surrounded by generous people.
Thank you Mr. G!

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Small Business Start-up Kit

I am reading Nolo's Small Business Start-up Kit for California before meeting my accountant to ask:
- When to start filing tax as a business.
- What form of business (sole proprietorship or LLC)


Japanese version of this entry is here.

Floor plan

Store layout (counter, equipment, bathroom, storage, chairs & tables) has been agreed.
Many thanks to my architect who revised the plan several times to meet my request.
We will start discussing lighting, walls floor and ceiling.

Japanese version of this entry is here.

Water heater

Traditional water heater with a tank is about $500, while tank-less is %1000 or more. I decided to go with tank-less because:
- it takes less space.
- it saves energy.

Thank you Mr. G for the advice!

Japanese version of this entry is here.