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Events / Meetups
Speed Connecting w/ Devin Ambron from Austin Connections
Date: August 13
Time: 12-1 PM MTN
Location: Virtual
RSVP HEREPrivate Business Dinner w/ Reconciled x Rho for 20
Date: August 29th
Time: 7-9 PM
Location: Hollywood, CA
APPLY HEREPrivate Business Dinner w/ two new ParkSMB partners
Date: TBA
Time: 7-9 PM
Location: TBA
APPLY HERE
For real-time updates and to stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @shawnwallard
Linkedin: Shawn Allard
Instagram: @shawnallard
Projects
One of our core team members who handles deliveries to our retail shops, Tu-Thur is starting a new role so I’m looking to find someone who can take on 3 days now but grow to 6 and take on more responsibility by the end of September.
Finding someone willing to focus only on delivery isn’t easy.
I hired someone last week but he dropped out.
I was planning on training a new hire yesterday and they pulled out last minute.
So the search continues!
Update(s) for the week:
Interviewing for delivery manager role
Partnership with Thai Chili 2 Go launched last Sunday at their Gilbert store
Finalizing logistics to launch in all 16 stores in the coming weeks
Current managers are training new Peoria manager
A potential partnership with a major university is on the horizon
Novel #3 (Trailer) - We’re on the final stretch…
Final inspection will come after we hook up a permanent water line and install a floor drain that hooks up to the property clean-out.
Install should start by the weekend.
Here’s a visual:
If this were a true mobile setup, we could just run a hose above ground first thing in the morning to fill up the water tank. We could also drain our gray water into a bucket and dump it in a mop sink.
Didn’t see this coming…
But there’s always a solution.
Novel #4 (Truck) - Good news - truck should be done in about a month.
I did a virtual tour of the truck and things are looking really good.
We’re just waiting on equipment installation and final wrap design.
Here are two early drafts we’re messing with (neither are close to final):
Here’s my Novel power list (a mix of short and long-term projects):
Schedule final inspections
Install wheel skirt, a cage around electrical equipment, and final interior things
Order and deliver initial round of inventory
Create social content and marketing plan for grand opening
Reach out to property owners in Avondale
The truck would be stationary from Tuesday through Thursday and mobile from Friday through Sunday
Met with team member from the City of Avondale about potential properties (will likely start outreach once Novel #3 is open)
Back to a slow week after some social media hype but things are looking positive.
I had a great whiteboard session with a friend who helped me identify the most important metrics to see what growth levers we can pull.
They included:
Consistent content creation
Community events
3rd party delivery
I do have another idea…
What if we stripped the food menu and just focused on making the best bagels and schmears?
I think I can nail it and become the go-to spot for unique schmears…
Is that a dumb idea?
Update(s) for the week:
Doordash is live
Decent sales volume for the first 4 days
New hours are live 7am-3pm, Thursday-Sunday until Sept
Will add a 7pm-3am shift starting in Sept
Reworked the menu
New hires have been great
Both have solid coffee and F&B experience
Here’s my power list (a mix of short and long-term projects):
Work on Google My Business SEO
Gather more customer reviews
Improve the menu and consistency
Bring on Grubhub and UberEats
VEER CONCEPTS
Quick but effective meeting with the owner of the 5-unit coffee co.
I went back and met with my potential partner yesterday and we’re going to outline a few structures that make this deal a win-win depending on what we decide to do with the brand post-acquisition.
Update(s) for the week:
Waiting to get financials on a 5 location cookie business I was approached about
Health + wellness center and bakery projects in Peoria are on hold
If you’re interested in any of these projects, let me know…
I’m always looking for exceptional partners, investors, and operators to work with.
If you’ve been to one of my events, please add your info to this sheet.
This helps everyone stay connected.
Update(s) for the week:
Logo and final website will be live by September 1st.
Signed 2 official partners to bring more value to the community
Ideating new events and parties for members (it’s all free)
You’ve gotta check them out:
Daniel Cheetham (Captains Club) - Captains Club specializes in aligning Integrators, COOs, and Presidents, unleashing you from the business to deliver your highest value. Connect with Daniel and his team here.
Chad Bellin (Disca) - Disca is a software development consultancy focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses in need of expert-level technical expertise.
You can connect with Chad and his team here.
If you want to start, buy, build a business, or simply meet other talented people… scroll up to the Events/Meetups section and apply/RSVP to the upcoming events.
You can also find the events on Meetup and Eventbrite.
Podcast
Solid Q&A episode:
Music
I’m shamelessly plugging the best Spotify playlist on the planet for you to check out here.
If you don’t have Spotify, you should still be able to view the songs and add them to your desired platform.
Health
I’m running a bit less as of this week to let my shins heal a bit but hitting the treadmill every day to keep cardio in play.
If you’re not familiar with Hyrox, I’ll be using the 247 app and a few videos like this and this one to train.
I’m likely signing up for my first Hyrox race in the fall so I’ll keep you posted.
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.
Need a backpack or travel gear? Check out Bellroy. They’re the best.
Talk next week,
Shawn