Curated Pt. 22

A weekly roundup of stuff I hope you'll like

Upcoming Events

• PHX April Business Mixer
  Date: TONIGHT
  Location: Downtown Phoenix (RSVP to find out)
  Time: 7 PM
  RSVP here

• Run Club
  Date: Every Wednesday
  Location: R.T O’Sullivans
  Time: 6:30 PM
  Details here

• Private Terrace Watch Party (limited to 20)
  Date: May 4
  Location: Phoenix Rising FC Stadium
  Time: 7 PM

  Apply here

• M&A Launchpad Conference (I’m speaking on a panel)
  Date: May 11
  Location: Downtown Houston
  Time: All day
  Learn more - USE CODE “SHAWN” for $200 off

• Business Roulette: Austin & Phoenix Leaders
  Date: May 14
  Location: Virtual
  Time: 9 AM (MTN)
  RSVP here

For real-time updates and to stay in touch:

• Twitter/X: @shawnwallard

• Linkedin: Shawn Allard

• Instagram: @shawnallard

This newsletter only grows with your help. So if you feel like sharing, here’s the link.

If you're a new reader and want to check out where this started, go here. 

Projects

NOVEL ICE CREAM

• Novel #3 (Trailer) is about done. We’re installing equipment, getting it wrapped (I’m re-designing a bit of it) and it should be ready to go within the next 30 days or so. Opening day is TBD.

• Novel #4 (Mobile truck) is under layout review and the equipment/inventory list is done. We’re almost ready to build. Once the interior shell is built out, we’ll get equipment in there.

• Created a custom flavor for a customer (turned friend) who accepted the challenge of coming to Novel for 30 days straight.

My power list this week:

• Plan event on May 18th for Novel’s new flavor release and Remix’s opening day.

• Drop a limited edition flavor and topping combo (Blue Moon & Nerds Candy)

• Outline new in-shop offerings (exclusive pint flavors & order pickup)

• Social media strategy (follow us @novelicecream)

• Interview for new shop crew

• New website design

REMIX COFFEE

• All equipment is running smoothly (including the espresso machine)

• Signage should be up within the next 2 weeks (I added a few more things)

• Put a real plan together for social and get consistent (follow us @remixphx)

• Equipment and inventory are ordered

Opening day is slated for May 18th…

It’s gonna be a party.

Here’s what the place looks like right now:

My power list this week:

• Set the shop up for training week (1st week of May)

• Finalize menu design (see below). We’re going with a QR code menu since the shop is only window service but we’ll have paper menus in the shop for anyone who wants one. I’ll send you a mockup of the paper menu when it’s ready for print.

• Schedule soda machine tech to inspect and repair it if needed

• Build shop opening, day, and closing checklists

• Build new team member training guide

• Build out drink and food recipe guides

• Make the best uncrustable on the planet

ACQUISITION #2

The landlord of the commercial property in Downtown Phoenix is staying firm at $930k.

I just came back with a final offer of $900k.

If you don’t know the details of that deal, go here.

As of now, I’m waiting to hear back…

So I’ll let you know where we stand next week.

VEER CONCEPTS

Veer is starting to feel like a true hospitality group.

Although I’m focused on building Novel and Remix right now, I’m exploring all opportunities as they come up.

I mentioned this last week but I’m looking at some land in Peoria (I’m looking at the plot as I type this).

It’s ripe for 2 cool concepts…

I’m thinking:

1. Wholesale + storefront bakery

2. Wellness center (gym, co-working, and event space)

I’ve submitted the initial docs and will work on submitting the site plan and site photos this afternoon.

Cities tend to be tough to get through but the City of Peoria has been amazing to work with.

So shoutout to them (if they’re reading).

I’ll let you know how this looks next week.

COMMUNITY

Consistency breeds success.

There’s no hack.

Especially when building real community.

It all takes time and a ton of work.

As a community we’ve done everything from car show meetups to coffee talks to a speaker panel at the Churchill in January with over 125 people in attendance.

If you’re not coming out to these events/meetups, I encourage you to give it a chance.

The people in this community are very special and I believe you could be one connection away from changing your life.

It’s happened to me.

And it will happen to you.

Podcast

I’ve never binged more episodes of a podcast before.

Andy Friscella is the guy.

When you finish this episode, go back to his early ones in 2016.

Really cool to see his progression.

If you use Apple Podcasts, you’re lame.

Music

Some evening listening for the week.

Also, here’s the best Spotify playlist on the planet.

Health

I now see how unsexy entrepreneurship is.

Owning your own business is so glamorized…

The reality is so different than what’s shown on Instagram.

It’s sitting in the warehouse alone working out problem after problem like I did yesterday.

It’s not about raising millions of dollars. it’s not about pulling up to the office in a Lambo, it’s about nothing more than creating the best culture for your team and the best product(s) for your customers.

This isn’t easy.

And it never will be.

So you have to be extremely self-aware.

Are you willing to do whatever it takes?

I work on birthday’s, including mine…

All holidays…

All weekends…

I just work.

It’s not a flex, it’s reality.

But I’ve also never felt more alive, more energized and more optimistic in my entire life.

What does this have to do with “Health”?

For many years I conformed to societal norms around work-life balance.

The more I did, the more guilt, boredom, stress, and resentment I felt.

There’s one reason for this.

I was living against my nature.

I was doing what was expected of me.

Not what I wanted to do.

Which ties to living your healthiest life.

I’m the healthiest physically and mentally when I’m living my truth.

When I’m living on my terms.

Let’s be honest…

An unhealthy life is lived on the basis of others.

It’s lived with unclear direction…

And filled with entertainment over improvement.

It’s one with a default response of “It’s almost Friday” when someone asks “How are you”…

If your ideal weekend is going on a bender with the homies…

I’d say it’s time to re-evaluate some things.

Get it together.

Your family…

Your friends…

And future generations are counting on you.

Check Them Out

Digital Executive - hire the best remote talent from South America. Paris Bland is building a great platform for business owners in all industries. Connect with her on Linkedin or reach out on the website for more info.

Merry Makery - an insightful newsletter with tons of actionable tips to improve personally and professionally. Check MacKenzie Seale out on Linkedin as well. She’s a great writer.

I Can Help

• Buy, rent, and/or lease property in Arizona. Email me.

• Buy, sell, and/or invest in a business. Let’s find you some deals.

• Raise capital and/or debt for your new/existing business. Let’s find you some money.

Talk next week,

Shawn