Pretty amazing that we are already stepping into the middle of January 2010. I had wanted to share my thoughts during the year end’s transition but it has been a crazy few weeks during the holiday season. I also find the period to be too melancholic for positive and rational reflection. Also I was dizzy from watching the 3D Avatar and it took me a few days to recover. Anyway, here are my random thoughts on the past year.
I have to use a single word to describe 2009, it would have to be transitional. And what a transition it has been to go from a full-time paying job to a pretty uncertain world of trying to start a cafe. These are the things I have learned/experienced/thought:
10 things about the coffee
- Real coffee people are extremely passionate about their coffee
- The coffee industry is really small – everyone knows everyone
- best espresso that i tasted last year – Intelligentsia and 49th parallel
- There are many helpful people in the coffee business and I am blessed to know some of them
- Areas outside of Toronto do not have a decent(or at least I have not found it) option for coffee and i am not talking about Starbucks
- We have some really good roasters in Canada and they are not always the bigger ones.
- I can never be a ‘rockstar’ barista but I can definitely make great coffee
- Good coffee requires many things but it takes just one wrong step to screw things up.
- You don’t make great money in coffee and it takes passion to succeed.
- Vacuum(siphon) coffee maker produces really clean tasting coffee – glad I bought it for my wife’s birthday
5 frustrating things
- Stouffville landlords
- Canadian dollar – it is going up too much
- People going back on their word
- No money
- Some things are out of my hands
10 things to be thankful for
- My wife – without her support, this transition is not possible
- Kay – she brings things into perspective; what are the important things in life
- Relatively good health – no gout for a while now; but definitely need to exercise more
- Family – parents and siblings have been really supportive;
- Friends – especially those who believe in my passion
- A great real estate agent – Tammi has been there for the journey and it is quite a ride so far.
- Starbucks co-baristas & regular customers – keeps the dream alive and continue to make ‘making coffee’ fun
- Coffee – this is a great beverage, duh!!
- Free time – past few months has been great in terms of spending time with the family; watching Kay grow up day by day has been greatly satisfying.
- Popeye chicken on Tuesday – this is a great pick-me-up.
5 things to look forward to in 2010
- This should be the year Red Bulb becomes reality or close to reality
- Mastering Latte Art
- Challenges of making a profit
- Kay continuous growth
- World recovery and peace!
That”s all folks for my first entry in 2010.
Posted on
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009