Past and Present, A continual growth in life and work.

The last post was Christmas 2010 and since, I've done tonnes, travelled to numerous country and started my own coffee consulting business. Still in the same industry, different aspect. 
I realized I must not be embarrass when others want me to help them start a new business. I need to trust others around me with their feedback and especially, trust myself that I am capable.

With my new consulting, I rarely have time to blog nor do I think this will be the right blog to share my thoughts and experience in the coffee business.

Am I still in the industry, YES! Moving along and growing in my business of helping others who were like myself a few years back.
I've thought of taking this blog down. One problem was, I forgot my password and it was a complicated progress retrieving it back, FINALLY, I got it back.

But after reading some of the past posts, I realized, this was once part of my life. Very important part. If I were to delete it, its like changing who I was and getting rid of my background, my past.

So, its here to stay. And I might write a few lines in the unforeseen future.

If I remember my password.

Christmas Message 2010

In the midst of flying back and forth between Toronto & London, trying to meet new friends, learning to understand London culture and adjusting to a different pace of life can all be very unsettling.

I was so glad to finally make time to sit down and relax. I badly needed to feel grounded and at home. I need the time to reflect on my year. What a Big year!
Selling my business; getting rid of my apartment; putting everything in storage and traveling for the last 3 months (between Canada, Asia and finally now in Europe) and deciding to apply & received my citizenship is a very busy and stressful year. I have been living out of a suitcase since September. Not that I am counting.

It can all go very wrong. Yet, in my transition and journey, I have been met with kindness, generosity, patience, love and friendship. I learned and experienced many wonderful gifts.

One of the most humbling and grateful thing I have received is the gift of love. There are so many.
My neighbours and fellow business owners at West Queen West, who supported me and stood by me.
I am thankful to my friends who spent hours listening to me and hearing me out as I try to make sense of things and decisions.
I am grateful to Barb who put me up for weeks on end, my business partner who made it easy for me to sell and my care group continual wisdom.
I am so awed to my friends who always make themselves available to meet when I showed up (unannounced) and all the big and small things I was given in my journey.
And my boyfriend who let me turn his life upside down. Ha.
And everyone who knew someone in London and making sure I was introduced (so I can stay connected).

I couldn't have been able to set out and try new things if it wasn't for the amazing support and understanding I was given.

All my Christmas dreams came true! My heart is so rich and full. I wish this Christmas, each and everyone I know and love is loved just as I am loved.
May you be filled with hope, joy and a warmth. Merry Christmas.

God bless you.

Marilyn

Coffee thoughts

I've been home almost a week, juggling between jetlag, work and moving, life seems to be moving way too fast for me.

The first impression arriving in Rwanda is the red earth, the heat and hills that make up most of the landscape. And I was surprised at how busy the street of Kigali was. I didn't know what to expect since I've never been to Rwanda or Africa, at all. I was amazed to see streets packed with cars and apartment buildings. I even went to a mall that has a really fancy grocery.


Now, being home for almost a week, I wish I had more time in Rwanda, hanging out with the people and visiting the various parts of the country.
Rwanda is bustling with actitivities, developing fast and furious. I visited one local cafe, Bourbon Cafe, that only serves coffees from the different regions of Rwanda. This cafe is a great example of what the country can be and is going to be - catching up with the rest of the world.

What did it mean to me going all the way to Rwanda?
Being in Rwanda and seeing the different levels of involvement by different organizations has made me realized how important it is to be engaged at the ground level. It is so important for me to understand what goes into a cup of coffee and the many challenges facing the famers and origin country.

Sometimes I've forgotten what it is to love coffee. Seeing all the Cuppers from all over the world has made me realized how lucky I am to be part of the industry; to be an advocate for better quality coffee, being part of a community that is so keen and passionate about improving community development and encouraging responsible business practices.

I really appreciate what Cup of Excellence has done and is continually doing. It is my second trip to a country of origin with CoE, and my first time meeting with government officials. I am blown away by the dedication of every sector involved. Susie and Paul are a pair of dynamo; relentlessly working away, pushing to get better infrastructure and working conditions, inorder to produce great quality coffees by famers.These undertakings ultimately will improve the growing conditions for the farmers. It is crucial for the health of a country that, at the moment, is leaning heavily on agriculture.

I really enjoyed my time at the coffee lab, slurping and spitting away. We cupped a total of 45 fully-washed coffees that were of an old bourbon varietal. Rwanda's coffees are softer in nature and often have fruit and chocolates notes in them. It helped me calibrate to what I like to serve at the cafe and helped me form a mental picture of a roasting profile and possible marketing efforts for these coffees. The top 10 coffees are of stellar quality and I am really happy with what we, the Jurors' selected.

At the award ceremony, listening to numerous speeches by various keynote speakers, I sensed a challenge amongst the fellowmen of Rwanda; to increase production, to learn about and implement better technologies, and to work harder to become the leading coffee growers of Africa. I feel confident they will become mature, sooner than later, due to their obvious dedication.

The participates of this program will now assist in bringing Rwanda coffees into the International market, allowing consumers like you and I, to have a chance to drink high quality coffees. And in return, our spending will be be re-invested into this beautiful land, its people and ultimately the livelihood of  the farmers. A worthy cause!

Rwanda, a young nation, is the ONLY country in Africa that is part of the CoE program, joining Nicaragua, Brazil, Columbia, El Salvador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Hondurus and Guatamala

I had an amazing time. I came away educated. And I met so many fantastic coffee lovers and businesses. I am reminded why I love this business and excited by the huge amount of potential that is out there!.

A coffee field trip to London

What is Success?

It will be 2 years come April since opening our cafe at West Queen West. 2009 was a great year and now being 2010, it got me thinking, "have I been successful"?
And it got me thinking further, what is Success?
Naturally, money and status come to mind. But if that is success, I am not successful at all.

Reflecting on my experiences operating a cafe, I think sometimes, money and status might take a while to come but what I have now, is precious.

I have a team of great baristas. They are keen to provide the best coffee experience they can give, they always want to learn more of coffee, learning about cupping, roasting, the many different methods of preparing drinks and trying to keep up to date on the ever changing coffee industry.

We as a cafe has bought some amazing coffees. We bought some beautiful micro-lots of award winning coffees and are proud to roast them at the cafe! And People are loving it!
I had the chance to cup with some local cafes and also the chance to study and learn more on coffees. We also have overseas visitors and farmers come and share their coffee knowledge with us. And this makes us all a Coffee Global Village!
We are constantly working towards balancing commerce vs fairness in our business. We have achieved beyond what we set out to do by paying farmers more than the fair trade prices.
My business partner was on the team of jury for COE (cup of excellence) for Guatamala, Bolivia as well as Brazil and this allow us to sharpen our cupping profile and roast some excellent single origin beans.

One customer helped at some renovation, another helped with our postcards design, one helped with logo design on our window, while another sewed our cushions. When I broke my leg, everyone helped and supported me.
There were hugs, smiles, laughter and lots of great times over coffees! A great community rallying around the cafe and myself. It is very rewarding and inspiring. When the going gets tough and everyone is my cheerleader, I simply cannot give up!
It helped put things into perspective and helped me get back on track and continue my coffee journey.

I count it my blessing and privilege to be able to learn so much. I learned so many wonderful lessons, the good and the bad.
And learned that as a community, it is important to build roots and I am learning that it is important to give as much as i can while I make money (very much needed when operating a business).

So, I think I am successful. And now, I need to work at being Rich. Any tips? :)

Up to Date!

Its been almost a year since I last blogged. I couldn't find time nor energy to blog. My mind is constantly churning away at things business.

Today, on a bright sunny Sunday (only day off!), I want to dabble a little and answer some questions from friends. Hopefully, I can get some sense of self:

What kept you away?
Lost in the daily grind of operating a new business and working at it, day in/day out. Thinking about work, breathing about work and traveling on work.

What has happened since the last you blogged?
Had a burnt out period. Didn't stopped training new staff since January 2009 till April 2009 and that means working extra hours. Now, I have a team of great staff. Wonderful people. Took some stress out from me since managing staff usually takes up most of my energy.
On a good note, business is growing (slowly). Still a long way to go to where I want but am working hard to create my wholesale business and hopefully a training program for barrista wannabe. The cafe has started buying some award winning coffees and this is one of the most exciting news for me. We are slowly getting a recognition for roasting great coffee. And fast becoming the neighborhood cafe.

How are you, on a side note?
All I can say is ONE DAY AT A TIME! Opening a business takes a lot of gut, strength, sacrifices and mental health. Not forgetting physical stamina.
Tiredness is a constant theme. Stress is the most constant companion in my life, right now, my one true love. One of my goal this year is to get some personal time and create a healthy boundary between work and self. So far, I've manged to attend a photography workshop, moved to a different apartment better for my mind. Though, I have yet to find time for a regular exercise program but I made time to find myself a MAN (he is fast replacing STRESS, my true love!).
Am very thankful. I could have a nervous breakdown. Jokes aside.

What is Stress?
Juggling the daily operation of business, learning how to balance my finances for business (what to pay and what to add to cafe and how), strategy for growth, staff management, creating an awareness to public (branding & marketing), planning for growth etc.
There probably isn't a minute that goes by I do not worry, think, deal and mull over decisions I have to make. At times, it can be overwhelming.

How do you handle the demands on you?
First- tears (buckets of it!), second - talk to people around me. When I am stress, I talk a lot (need to watch that I am not boring others and become too self absorbed), it relieves the burden slightly and when I listen to myself and others, I get a perspective. I am thankful I have quite a few people I can turn to. Lastly - I pray; I become quiet and I wait. I read to escape and relax (sadly, not enough).

Is it worth it?
I feel really bad for some of my friends. I feel I am constantly busy and have no time for them. Sometimes, I feel I am too selfish, constantly putting work first. But when one has a business, there are sacrifices. Thankfully my friends and community push me to work at it. I learned so much and am still learning. Learning to run a business, keeping abreast of the industry, challenging myself and team to always become better, getting as much training as I possibly can and best of all, self awareness. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses. When time gets tough, I try holding firm to what is important to me and what I really want. Making sure my core value remains the same or is strengthen when challenged.
I don't know if I have the personality or knowledge to make it successful but I am trying really hard.

What comes next?
After 15 months in business, I need the business to grow (through wholesale, e-commerce and more foot traffic) at a rate that is healthy to achieve certain goals. I want more training for all at cafe and I hope to take at least 2 months off work to properly rest and travel to coffee origin and work with farmers. I wish to provide my team opportunity to compete in 2011. I want time to self and time to visit family whom I have not seen for a long time. I hope to find energy, time and money doing what I love and do it meaningfully and well.
(A lot to ask for)

Each time when I feel really burden, someone comes along and gave me a mental lift. I can think of so many people who wants me to do well. And I can't thank my care group and boyfriend for the support they have been to me. I am stronger because of them. I am thankful for my community at work and friends who supported me; constantly stopping by to give me a friendly cheer! Thank you.

Is Harper right in wishing to cut Art funding?

Its Saturday again and I love Saturday! Love love it! I am usually at my best self on Saturday...The Jazz, the coffees, the fall season; Can't ask for more! I am usually at my most quiet self watching the world go by in front of me.
And it has been awhile since I last blogged and I actually have friends asking me when I will blog again. Life has been too hectic and running a business sometimes dried up my creativity. Alas!

But last night, I went to NFB and watched Kanehsatake, a documentary on the clash between the Mohawks and the government on land rights back in 1990. I feel a need to write on my take on the importance of Arts and its influence on a country. Why is Art so important on the well-being of a country?

Till last night, I do not know much about the first nation here in Canada or anywhere in the world! Till last night, I didn't understand much of the history of the first nation here in Canada.
I now understand better the issues surrounding them and their cultures and their struggles.
At the Q&A session, a lady from Kenya stood up and say this movie could be in Kenya, she felt the same struggles, the same emotions and the same needs; no matter what background and cultures we come from. We are the same - one global village.

Art allows us to express ourselves and can be healing. For example this documentary, the director ALANIS OBOMSAWIN was able to have closure of the Oka incident and she continues through films preserve the heritage of the first nations.

Art is creative and that is so good for a country and its people. We constantly strive to create, to think about creating, to invent and to contribute. This builds character and also confidence and makes a nation grow. Art makes us go inside ourselves and think of the whys/hows. It is about perseverance as well. And I know schools and medical institutions use Art to heal and deal.

Art is also about community. Art brings people together, for the common cause and we openly show our support when we attend art shows (drinking is only for fun! and fun is always good)
Through the film, I learned the need for tolerance, for cultures and religious exchange.

There are so many benefits to the Arts; be it writing, painting, crafts, film making, sculptures and the list goes on. It adds so many layers to our lives and the Beauty of it!

Last night was such an inspiration!! And I sincerely hope that no one should ever think that Art is for the rich and its not important to the well-being of our soul and our country.