Curated Pt. 34

A weekly roundup of my life

Summer in Sedona

Question for you this week:

You know the drill… this only grows with your help. I don’t run ads or sell anything, so I only ask that you share it with one person.

Here’s a shareable link.

Events / Meetups

• Speed Networking (meet business owners from around the country)
  Date: August 13
  Time: 12-1 PM MTN
  Location: Virtual
  RSVP HERE

• Private Business Dinner w/ Reconciled x Rho for 20
  Date: August 29th
  Time: 7-9 PM
  Location: Hollywood, CA
  APPLY HERE

• Private Business Dinner w/ two new ParkSMB partners
  Date: TBA
  Time: 7-9 PM
  Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  APPLY HERE

For real-time updates and to stay in touch:

• Twitter/X: @shawnwallard

• Linkedin: Shawn Allard

• Instagram: @shawnallard

Projects

If you didn’t read last week, you can here.

NOVEL ICE CREAM

Training for our new delivery manager starts next week and shouldn’t last longer than 3 days.

It’s a very straightforward role and is only Tuesday-Thursday, but I plan on adding responsibilities as they get more familiar with what we do.

Update(s) for the week:

• Hired new delivery manager

• Packing our 2nd order for Thai Chili 2 Go

• Getting content for Cider Corp collab

• Potential partnerships with a major university and hospital are coming to life

• Found a potential space for our HQ expansion

Novel #3 (Trailer) - Permanent water line and sewer line/floor drain are being installed and should be wrapped up by tonight.

All in cost for this was $4,500 - split between materials and labor.

We also removed propane from the trailer since we‘re replacing the gas water heater with an electric one.

This should make everything run smoother and keep the exterior of the trailer nice and clean.

I reached out to the city to schedule the final inspection so once we get approval and the permit is issued, it’s off to the races to open.

Here’s my Novel #3 power list (a mix of short and long-term projects):

• Schedule final inspections for the trailer

• Install wheel skirt and casing for the exterior cage

• Create social content and marketing plan for grand opening

Novel #4 (Truck) - The equipment has arrived and we’re ready for installation.

I’m still working on the final wrap design but here’s an updated version (let me know what you think):

Here’s my Novel #4 power list (a mix of short and long-term projects):

• Reach out to property owners in Avondale

• Draft location schedule

REMIX COFFEE

This week’s revenue: $500.50

I’ll break down expenses next week to show you what we’re working with.

My focus right now is perfecting the menu.

I’m going to rework it so once we’re busier in the fall, we’ll have everything dialed in.

I mentioned last week that I may focus on bagels and schmears (cream cheese) and have a rotating sandwich menu so over the next few weeks I’ll test this out and share what comes from it.

The challenge is making high-quality schmear but having a simple menu will give us the physical and mental space to do so.

I’ve also been thinking about removing the QR code from the building and displaying the full menu.

What do you think of QR codes?

Are you over them?

Update(s) for the week:

• New hours are live 7 am-3 pm, Thursday-Sunday

  • Will add a 7 pm-3 am shift starting in Sept (rethinking this until further notice)

• Adding more photos to our online menu

• Installing a commercial toaster to toast our bagels more consistently

• Removed items from the menu that weren’t perfect (all items that are made in the Turbochef)

Here’s my power list (a mix of short and long-term projects):

• Work on Google My Business SEO

  • Check out our current website (built on carrd.co)

• Gather more customer reviews

• Connect with local influencers and create more content internally

• Plan the first few rotating sandwich recipes

• Bring on Grubhub and UberEats (removing this one until we’ve nailed down the concept)

VEER CONCEPTS

I announced on Twitter/Linkedin that I’ll be raising capital for the 5-unit coffee co in the coming weeks.

My potential partner and I are still thinking about an ideal structure but in the meantime, I’ll start putting the deal in front of potential investors.

This company has a ton of potential so I’m excited to see what happens.

If you’re interested in learning more, respond to this email.

Update(s) for the week:

• Submitting LOI for 5-unit coffee co

  • Drafting email to investors outlining capital needs

• Submitting LOI to take over taproom in Downtown Phoenix

  • Will partner with my buddy Lance and his team to expand and bring in a limited food menu

  • Leasing this space will qualify us to use SBA debt to purchase the entire complex

• Waiting to get financials on a 5 location cookie business I was approached about

• Health + wellness center and bakery projects in Peoria - 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.

PARKSMB

If you’ve attended one of my events, please add your info to this sheet.

Update(s) for the week:

• Logo and final website will be live by September 1st.

  • Jason Allen and his team at Mesa Media are building out the first iteration of the ParkSMB website

• Introducing new events and ways to better connect members of the community

• Partnered with 2 incredible businesses to bring more value to the community

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

If you feel like you’re never doing enough, I relate.

Here’s an episode from someone who feels the same.

Music

This one’s a heater.

Health

I was ready to sign up for Hyrox Dallas or Anaheim but they’re sold out…

I’ll get started on this training block anyway so I’m even more prepared.

The last challenge I did was the LA Marathon in March and that kicked my ass but I’m ready for the next thing.

It’s gonna be a long 5 months but I’m itching to put something on the calendar.

Training starts today.

Here’s what a Hyrox Race consists of (every race is the same):

START

.6 mile run

• 1000m SkiErg

.6 mile run

• 50m Sled Push (152 kg incl. Sled)

.6 mile run

• 50m Sled Pull (103 kg incl. Sled)

.6 mile run

• 80m Burpee Broad Jump

.6 mile run

• 1000m Rowing

.6 mile run

• 200m Kettle Bells Farmers Carry (2×24 kg)

.6 mile run

• 100m Sandbag Lunges (20 kg)

.6 mile run

• 100 x Wall Balls (6 kg)

FINISH

I’ll share the training progress as I go but here’s what a typical week will look like:

3 strength workouts (likely push, pull, legs)

3 Hyrox workouts (2-3 exercises from the race itself)

3 runs (1 long run, 60-90 min +)

Let’s ride.

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