Curated Pt. 24

A weekly roundup of stuff I hope you'll like

Hey, quick reminder…

It’s not your parent’s fault, your teacher’s fault, your boss’s fault, or the government’s fault.

It’s yours.

You’re not where you want to be because of you.

Things got a lot more clear once I took complete accountability for my life.

Maybe give it a try one day ;)

Hope you have an amazing week.

Let’s jump into it.

P.S. - 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 see where this started, go here. 

Events / Meetups

I’m happy with how the panel at Venture Cafe turned out…

I need to work through my public speaking nerves, but I’m glad I did this leading up to the M&A Launchpad Conference on Saturday.

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

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

• Workout + Social (Open to all but limited to 30 people)
  Date: May 25
  Location: BODI in Scottsdale
  Time: 12 PM
  RSVP HERE

• Unlisted Run Club
  Date: Every Wednesday
  Location: R.T O’Sullivan’s in Scottsdale
  Time: 6:30 PM
  DETAIL HERE

For real-time updates and to stay in touch:

• Twitter/X: @shawnwallard

• Linkedin: Shawn Allard

• Instagram: @shawnallard

Projects

NOVEL ICE CREAM

Novel #3 (Trailer) - Ordering a few small items to finish the interior outfitting of the trailer but all major pieces of equipment have been brought over for install. I underestimated the time it takes for projects like this to come to life. I can only do so much so things can’t move as fast as you’d sometimes like them to. It’s helped me practice “aggressive patience”. I’ll share more about this next week.

Novel #4 (Truck) - Ordering initial pieces of equipment over the next few weeks as the interior shell gets built out. I’m pumped to be working with Curbside Outfitters on this project. My guy Ren has been amazing to work with. This should take about 90 days from start to finish but you know how construction goes, it’s always up in the air.

Here’s the exterior of it. It’s a 14-footer:

• CNBC’s Make It came out last week to shoot a story on Novel and it should be live by the end of May.

My power list (mix of short and long-term projects):

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

  • We’re having DJs perform at both our Phoenix and Mesa locations from 8-10 PM

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

  • Check it out on our Instagram this afternoon

• Outline new offerings (exclusive pint flavors, online order pickup, pre-order limited merch)

  • With every new addition to the shop comes issues I will miss until we start putting the initiative into action so stay tuned for this

• Social media strategy (follow us @novelicecream)

  • I’m obsessed with aesthetics so curating ours is always top of mind

• Reworking our HQ to fit Novel #3 and Remix’s inventory

  • It’s getting tight so I’m putting feelers out in Central Phoenix for a larger space

REMIX COFFEE

• Lance and his Driftwood Coffee manager James are in for the next 2 weeks helping to dial in the menu and train our team starting on May 13

  • We tested our Turbochef and it’s broken so we’ll be replacing it with 2 toaster ovens. Next time you buy a used piece of equipment, make sure you test it before you bring it home.

• The exterior sign is in but we’re moving the menu and the exterior lights to make space for it

  • I’ll throw up a picture when the exterior of the shop is done

We’re as ready as we’ve ever been for our soft opening on May 18.

You better be there.

My power list (mix of short and long-term projects):

• Order another 20+ products and supplies that I missed after going through the shop today

• Outline the training plan for May 13-17.

  • I’ve officially hired 5 team members and am hopeful for 2-3 more

• Build shop opening, day, and closing checklists

  • Will be working on this over the next 2 weeks

• Build a new team member training guide

  • Working on this while we’re going through training

• Build out drink and food recipe guides

  • Ironing out all of the kinks and building this as we test the menu ourselves

• Make the best uncrustable on the planet

  • I bought a cutout to make the percent circle and square

ACQUISITION #2

Working on the commercial property in Downtown Phoenix.

I was told there’s a title issue to resolve before they can officially entertain the offer so we’re sort of on hold right now.

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

VEER CONCEPTS

With Remix and Novel projects taking up my time, I’ve been slacking on getting a formal plan over to the city of Peoria.

After Remix opens I’ll start moving these forward:

1. Wholesale + storefront bakery

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

Here’s the plot and a quick draft of what I have in mind:

COMMUNITY

If you made it to the Private Terrace Watch Party at the Phoenix Rising soccer game on Saturday… thank you for coming.

It was special.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Podcast

Great episode on making the most out of every situation you’re in.

Let me know what you think:

Music

Cool cafe set.

I threw this one on in the morning while getting some work done.

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

Health

(Hopefully you understand why I put these rants in this section)

Obsession and the desire to always get better is a good thing.

I don’t understand the desire to be average.

It mentally ruins me when I sit down and think how much gas I’m leaving in the tank every day…

So many of us don’t realize that our “mental health” issues often derive from a lack of purpose, energy, and connection…

And if we put even an ounce of effort into changing our habits and the people around us, we’d feel a whole lot better.

I speak from experience in everything I write.

I will never share regurgitated crap from the internet unless I’ve lived it.

So in my life, when I do not see purpose in my work…

Or when I lack energy from bad sleep, a bad diet, and/or not enough exercise…

My mind goes haywire.

I feel terrible and there’s only one way to get around it.

Action.

And there’s no excuse for inaction.

You weren’t put on this planet to sit back and complain.

You were put on this planet to figure it out and to build something.

So when you start living that…

Notice how little you think about your “mental health”.

Might be controversial to say but it’s my reality.

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