Today “write blog” is on the list. Same as yesterday and the day before. It was much easier in December. A good routine is priceless. So here I am at Dunn Bros. in Hudson. I had a great day of meetings and finished up the “to do” list for this week. Except this, of course.
I think I will start with today and work backwards. At 1pm I met with a graphic designer and woodworker who uses things from old barns. Both are back in school studying their crafts. Todd, the woodworker, contacted me on LinkedIn and his fiancée Mary has been following WeatherVane Creamery since our early days online. I have to tell you folks who want to network, do not underestimate LinkedIn. Seriously. If you have questions, let me know. Right now I am sitting on some InMails. I have three to use in the next two weeks. These can be very strategic.
So anyway, I have many pieces of the business plan and opening costs outlined in a very detailed manner. Recently I sent an email to the graphic designer I was planning on working with and didn’t get a reply. A week later, I see she checked me out on LinkedIn and still didn’t reply. Then Todd got in touch with me. Today he and Mary walked in and he introduced himself as someone who works with old barns and I was like “BINGO! These are two of my missing links!” I had a thought just last night that I needed to talk to Pam from Dave’s Brew Farm about who they used for their house made from two barns. I love it when the Universe gives me what I need when I need it.
Before that I was with my friend Tony. I can’t quite describe our meetings together. Lots of brainstorming goes on and it isn’t the most organized. Prior to that, he was meeting with my writer, Thekla. Writer really doesn’t do her justice. Thekla went over my business plan a few months ago and gave me exceptional feedback and notes. I made the changes she suggested and it was an incredible improvement. Thekla is currently working on an exciting project of mine that will be revealed soon. She’s drafting a piece for me that will be used in all media: email, facebook, print, and on our website. Stay tuned…
You probably saw the announcement on facebook about the space. It is a great location at 705 N Main, nestled between DeVine Liquor and Elizabeth’s Jewelry. It is on the right side of the road for evening commuters, has over 16,600 cars pass by it a day, doesn’t have any grocery competition, is easily found off of the highway, and has 40 parking spots. Being new construction, it also has built in marketing. Everyone will be watching to see what is going on. Little Caesar’s Pizza is one of our neighbors.
705 N Main St
There is just one last hurdle: raising an additional $50,000. This is the sum that the bank has told me. When I first heard that, I was actually relieved. I had been turned down by banks and in particular, turned down by Impact 7, a Community Development Financial Institution. To me, they were my best bet given my experience with Starbucks and the Opportunity Finance Network. I thought I had some pull. Turns out I don’t. Ha! So that letdown was a tough one. It called upon my Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D skills in short order. I had a conference call with the Advisor team. I applied to jobs. I started to contemplate how the current backers would view a retreat. And then someone on a local bank board saw me at my part time job at Eddie Bauer and insisted that I talk to their loan board. It was during the holidays so I thought I would wait until January to try to get in touch with them. But then they called me! So I went in to the loan officers office and told him all of the reasons why I didn’t think this opportunity would appeal to him. I laid out all of the things that other bankers told me. I was slightly stunned that he insisted on presenting it to their board. Later that day I got the call. They loved the concept. They wanted to help. I just needed to raise $50,000. The relief part was that they gave me a number. I even contacted Bob at Impact 7 to see if that was the same number he needed. He never replied. But my view of the $50,000 is that I just need ten $5000 lenders. And suddenly, people started showing interest again. And an investors group in Madison is taking their stab at it, too. So close to waving the white flag and rebirth occurs. Magical.
And I realize that I can’t give up. I am no longer capable. And that feels like a pretty good thing to know.