Burning the Candle at Both Ends

After a long night of crunching numbers and computing spreadsheets, accompanied by multiple cups of coffee, I came to a certain realization. I am absolutely crazy. What am I doing?? Up until 2 or 3 am working on making numbers add up? WRONG!  If you are at all like me, you might have a full time job, a family, a significant other, life, etc etc. How on earth can a person juggle regular life and a restaurant start up?? (in case you didn't know, it's a ton of work.)

It's like this:

1. Be realistic. Come on now. Opening in one month?? Quit your job, family, real life, and everything in between. Not gonna happen. If you want it to happen fast give yourself at least 12 solid weeks, with help. If you're completely on your own 6 months can do just fine. Customers will be able to tell you rushed it and you'll be so out of it that you probably won't even care.

2. Do a little every day. I am actually spending my lunch hour in the library every day during the week. If I feel like working more when I get home, I will, otherwise I at least got something in. When you are passionate about something, it's amazing what you can do in 45-60 minutes.

3. Set goals, but more importantly, boundaries. Know when to quit if you are up late at night frantically balancing spreadsheets. You are asking for failure if you're burnt out by the time you open. And going back to point 1, be realistic when setting goals. This especially goes for figuring out how much money you'll be making. Did you really just add in $150,000 for your yearly salary? Come on. Just take what you need and reap benefits later.

I'm no guru, but I'm here. I'm in it. I'm doing this. I do have a full time job and a boyfriend that I live with and pets and friends and responsibilities. And I'm opening a restaurant. Spreadsheets til 2am...that sucked.

Learn from my wrongdoings (and lucky moments) and take 'er easy.

Step 1: Confidentiality

Yes, I know. If its on the Web, its public domain. But I need to establish something from the get go. Restaurant names, specific ideas, and all elements in this blog are and will be copyrighted. Copying of material, without permission, will not be allowed. However! Feel free to follow any tips and learn from my mistakes. If you're interested in any content moving forward, email me!

Because the Web really needs another blog...

There are over 140 million blogs on the Web. Well now there are 140 million blogs, plus 1.

So why on earth will you want to read mine? Its simple, I'm opening a restaurant and you will want to hear about all of the crazy and outrageous things that happen along the way. From idea to launch and way beyond, I will be writing about my experience, which, hopefully, you can learn from. Not to mention, I'm in a pretty small town, so everything you know about restaurant life in Manhattan... forget it!

Yes, crazy things may happen over the next few months, but do not expect rants, gossip, slanderous remarks, or anything else that can be held against me in the future. The idea is to interact, educate, learn, and have fun. I'll be open to hearing ideas, reading comments, and when the restaurant is open, fielding complaints, questions, and all around conversation. I will be posting recipes (eventually) and would love to hear some of yours, so feel free to share! 

And, I'm not anywhere near a major metropolitan area.. well, ok I'm close, about 38 miles from Manhattan...