it's amazing to see that this day not only marks a new year of 2009, but my 100th post. also, to add to that, it's also our
1 year anniversary since we decided to chronicle the opening of our wine lounge on the www community of bloggers.
amazing how time just flies!
not only that...but this also marks us going into the 8th month that we've been open for business. and, since the day we opened the shop we've been growing, changing and growing. i hope that we've been able to capture those changes, for others to get a perspective of the benefits and challenges one is faced with when they have a dream, and the pursuit of making things happen.
so many people, have made such an impact on victor and my life. there have been some generous members that have truly helped us make our lounge a better place. one member that stands out, that i just can't thank enough for what they've brought to victor and i behind the scenes are THE PACHOS.
they are just the most generous people. not only do they genuinely want us to succeed, but they have a vested interest in making the environment around them look and feel nice. they're so interested that, they've given us a new faucet for our sink because it was looking, as dan would say, "kind of ghetto". hehehe.
and, just to make the amiance condusive for the non-drinker, they gave us a coffee maker. yah! a coffee maker. so that we could sell a cup or two, to the non-drinker, in order for them to enjoy the night out with their significant other.
it's that amazing generosity, that can be overwhelming when your just starting out. but like someone told me, u've thanked them 10 times with hospitality and service. and that's what keeps me motivated when the next person leaves with a smile.
as i stay true to the chronicles, it is important for me to be as candid
as possible, and help others relate to the ups & downs of opening of a business.
here's a true about the true {as my bro-in-law would say}...opening up a business is very intense on every level. we put so much faith in God, and making this work for the future of our family. there was no question, when we decided what business to start, and who would run it. v and i were on the same level. we knew, i could handle the "load" for a bit. in order for victor and i to give of ourselves to deliver #1 customer service and satisfaction, one of us would have to leave our careers behind. the obvious choice to running the shop would go to... "V". i had better, overall benefits, to sustain the family through this endeavour.
does the pressure of it all overwhelm me at times? absolutely.
i am a woman, i am sensitive and emotional. so, of course... we as the women that we r...we cry.
am i glad that i stayed working at my job? oh yah!
i love what i do. i get a fresh perspective on our business at hand because i am on the outside looking in, as do you.
i am the eyes and ears behind the operations. however, v and i have to be a team. what's better than to have your spouse, that's on your team, run and operate an establishment, based off what is seen from the "outside" perceptive. in other words, i tell him how to run the joint based off me coming in as a customer. i see operations the same way you, on the outside see it! i am not there at the shop everyday, so therefore i am not as immune to the surroundings, so i am the one to notice that a fixture isn't positioned right, or that the music isn't turned on.
granted, as it sounds, it is just that much of a potential "pain" for v. it's not all fun and games. sometimes one of us can lose an eye. but, we both have agreed on these accommodations before opening our doors, plus, the other eye is always on the prize. we can not second guess each other, because in that instant, someone else might benefit from the opportunity. this is what works for us. may not be for everyone.
also, what we've learned, is, that it's not all compromise.
let us be that first to admit, being in business with your spouse is not about compromise. it's SUBMISSION!
all the way around, anyway you slice it and dice it.... in order to make it work for you & your family's sake, it is:
SUBMISSION!
{ with submission comes an intense love! u'll know y, IFF you cross that bridge}
well, with all that said...that was then in 2008, and this is now
2009!
Salut! to u and yours as we embrace the year to come.
