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Well, I don't see the pizzeria thing happening. I most certainly want to do it, but apparently my only location option would be the second floor, above the bar/club.
A second-floor location may not seem like a big deal to you, but it's a killer. First of all, it would add at least two minutes to every delivery run that leaves the building (round trip). That is, every time a driver leaves the building, he would be slowed down by the elevator on his way out, then again on his way back into the store.
Oh, two minutes is nothing, you may be thinking.
Wrong!
Under those circumstances, if one driver leaves the building ten times during a shift, that adds up to a minimum of 20 completely nonproductive minutes from EVERY DRIVER during EVERY SHIFT. There's nothing I can do to fix that. NOTHING! So to make up for that inefficiency, I'd often have to schedule an extra driver, which comes out of my paycheck.
Meanwhile, after each night's shift, every driver thinks to himself: "Man, if I didn't have to jump all those hurdles between the kitchen and my car, I could have left the building at least one more time tonight, delivering 2 or 3 additional orders, which would have added another $5 or $10 to my pocket with no extra effort. Hell, even if I was making that extra $5 or $10, I'm still totally sick of jumping through all the hoops... Hmmm... I wouldn't have to deal with these constant obstacles if I worked at Pizza Hut or Papa John's... Sorry dude, I gotta quit."
So if I want to keep my drivers, I need to pay them better, even though I'd probably already be paying them better than my competition pays their drivers.
Where does that money come from? It comes from my paycheck.
Quick recap: Having a location on the second floor forces me to schedule more labor than I should need, and it also forces me to pay all my drivers unusually high wages.
So what about the customers?
There most certainly will be times when the "second-floor slowdown" causes delivery orders to arrive ONE MINUTE later than what the customer considers acceptable. And every time that happens, there are two possible outcomes: 1) I lose a customer, or 2) I make a huge sacrifice to keep that customer happy. In that circumstance, I'd probably be more inclined to chop off a big chunk of the price, but if necessary, I'd make it a freebie.
My response to that situation may save a customer, but it still costs me money that I shouldn't have to give up. And I can't blame my driver or anyone else. The only person I can blame is myself because I made the choice to open a pizzeria in the stupidest possible location.
And that is just one of many money-munching setbacks I'll have to deal with every single day if I choose to open a pizzeria on the second floor of this building.
The bar owner wants to include "southern-style" cuisine to accompany the alcohol and live music (music on weekends, anyway). However, to the best of my knowledge, he knows as much as I know about southern-style food: Nothing.
So how do you serve southern-style food if you don't know anything about southern-style food? And do beer-drinking, live-blues-music-listening customers even want southern-style food? I'd say probably not. It's not a restaurant with a bar; it's a live music club with a kitchen.
If I knew anything about southern-style food, I'd love to help him in that department, but I don't know shit about southern-style food. I am simply not the right guy for that, nor do I expect him to find "the right guy" for that. However, I am one of very few people who really understands what it takes to operate a successful independent pizzeria. No bullshit. Not just a successful pizzeria, but the most successful pizzeria. The kind of pizzeria that will bring people into his bar to buy beer, which is especially relevant if live music and sports fail to do it alone.
I'm pretty sure I could operate a profitable pizzeria on the second floor of this place, but I would be absolutely stupid to even try. Regardless of location, I'm already prepared to bust my ass at least 80 hours a week in "my" pizzeria. But if I was on the second floor of this building (or any other building), that 80-hour workweek instantly becomes 100, probably more. That's an absolute waste of money and energy, and I won't do it.
Ah, but my dad thinks this is the right opportunity. No, dad, it could be the right opportunity, given the right circumstances, but it is absolutely not the right opportunity with the current circumstances.
Y'see, Dad, you already walked away from the right opportunity two years ago. And if I change my mind and decide I want to open something on the second floor this time (which would be totally retarded), you'll end up walking away from this one, too.
I'm never going to be able to do what I can do better than almost everyone.
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10 comments:
That's too bad Ryan. Your time will come to you. I hope your next trip is very adventurous.
Have you ever thought about getting a job and saving money and opening your own pizza shop. Why does your parents or anyone else for that matter owe you a pizza shop? Heck why does your parents owe you anything? By law they only have to raise you until 18. They let you live in their house. From your picture you look like your in you mid to late 30's. They let you live there obviously for free since you don't have a job and you bitch at them because they don't give you more? You should be grateful your parents haven't thrown your winy ass on the streets.
mid to late 30's.
ouch.
Hey chickenshit Anonymous,
Have you ever considered that maybe my pizza knowledge and skills are freakin' valuable? Have I ever implied that I expect my parents to give me anything?
No, I haven't. Functionally they are my prospective business partners, and all I expect from them is what I give them: honesty and integrity.
I want to let you in on some privileged information now.
Some people possess financial capital while other people possess intellectual capital. Occasionally those two groups of people decide to team up and pour their respective capital into ventures that aim to produce or provide certain goods and/or services, which can ultimately be sold to people who want or need such goods and/or services. If there is enough demand for these goods and/or services, the producer or provider can successfully trade a high volume of these goods and/or services for more money than it cost to produce or provide them.
This process, as well as the organized entity behind it, is called "business." If the operator of a business is able to command more money for his or her goods and/or services than it cost to produce them, the business subsequently earns a "profit," thus making the business "profitable." And when a business becomes profitable, the people who invested the initial capital--the "ownership"--make money.
Does that make sense to you?
If so, I want to let you in on something: Financial capital is worthless without intellectual capital. Most people who possess financial capital do not possess intellectual capital. They don't invest in themselves; they invest in other people.
It works something like this: After a partnership has been established between the brain people and the money people, the money people say, "Here's my money. Now use your brains to turn it into more money."
Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. But rarely do business ventures accidentally succeed or fail. Additionally, it is almost impossible for a prospective small business owner to attract financial backing (in the form of a loan) from knowledgeable capitalists (or investors of financial capital).
Why? Because real investors only do BIG business. They put big money into big projects, expecting to see big returns. For real investors, independent pizzerias are akin to penny slots: There's nothing to win or lose, so why bother.
We all invest in each other in countless ways--with our money, with our labor, with our emotions, with our brains, etc.--but some of us make better investments than others.
By going to work every day and busting your ass to the best of your ability, you invest in the company that employees you. Do they invest in you? I doubt it. So I suspect you no longer give them the effort you once did. Or maybe you're one of those people who fucked off from Day One, simply because you took the job knowing you'd never receive what you could be worth. If so, both you and your company made bad investments in each other.
I've been through that shit over and over, just like everyone else (except I ALWAYS give 100%, even when I know I'm getting fucked over). And you know what? It never got me anywhere and it's never going to get me anywhere. So nowadays I search for the right opportunities with the right people instead of just taking jobs that will only suck the life out of me until I'm dead.
Hey, I don't care if you want to keep losing the rat race. That's your choice. And I don't care if you think I'm a spoiled little brat who wants his parents to give him everything.
You go ahead and believe whatever you want. I don't care what you think because you have obviously been brainwashed by a society that wants you not to think for yourself. But here's what I don't understand: Even though your comments reflect the mainstream beliefs that have been pounded into your head by the people who want you to be a mindless worker, why comment anonymously? Y'know, I'm the bad guy here.
If only you had the balls to stand behind your opinions and statements (by "signing" your name), either here or anywhere else, the right person might come along and think, "Hey, I like the way this person thinks. I might want to include him (or her) on my upper management team." That is, as long as they had any way of contacting you, which they wouldn't because you are an anonymous pussy. Additionally, anonymity turns off a lot of people--even people who like what you say--because they know you are too chickenshit to take responsibility for what you say and believe.
Are you that insecure?
I don't even know why I bother responding to shit like this, because you'll never get it. And when you see an article someday in the USA Today about me and my bad-ass pizzeria, I have no doubt that you'll think, "Oh my god, how the hell did that guy manage to do that?"
I'll go ahead and tell you how right now, OK. First of all, I possess a specific combination of talents and knowledge that very few people on this planet possess. Second, I'm honest. I don't go around telling people what I think they want to hear. That only gets you into undesirable situations with the wrong people. Third, my ego can handle being wrong. Unlike most people, I learn from my mistakes and correct them. Fourth, I have passion, intensity, and all that kind of shit about the things I love to do. That's just the beginning.
But mostly it's the honesty. I'm honest with myself and I'm honest with the people around me. Honesty freaks most people out (you, for example), but honesty wins with the right people.
Gee with you splendid personality it is hard to see why anyone wouldn't sponsor you.
Name one person who has criticized you without giving you money that you haven't gone off on.
By the way... I am a business owner. I started from scratch. I make my own hours, travel when I want and have been all over the world backpacking and other adventure sports. My age is less than 35 and while I don't make a ton of money I definitely can't complain. I didn't wait around expecting someone to hand me money because I had a brain. I went out and made something with my life. Ya its really nice to have my own house and I can use my own computer when I want. I don't have to get pissy with mommy and daddy when they need the computer.
As to why I won't leave my name.. I would be afraid you would hunt my family down and hurt us. You don't seem entirely stable dude.
However, you do seem very intelligent.. Its a shame it is going to waste. You rather waste you energy spewing negativity to a complete stranger than using it positively. If you are waiting for someone to hand you money, you could be waiting for an awfully long time.
Whatever, dude.
You want me to name one person who has criticized me, without giving me money, that I haven't gone off on? That's easy: ME! There is no one more critical of me than I am of myself. Sometimes it shows up in this blog, but usually I keep it to myself. (I guess that's not a valid answer, though, because I have "gone off" on myself plenty of times.)
Man, you really are stupid if you believe you've built a successful business without anyone's help. Even though I know you didn't achieve success all by yourself, I have no doubt that you went through some tough shit on the way up. I know you've been fucked over on occasion. I also know that some of those people, before fucking you over, helped you in various ways. However, once they fucked you over, you decided they were worthless pieces of shit.
Sound familiar? Yeah, it's the same thing that makes me an ungrateful asshole.
We both know that's how you feel about certain people, but in your mind I'm not allowed to have those kinds of feelings about anyone (or maybe I'm just not allowed to express them). Is it because you think I've presented myself as some kind of masochistic, emotionproof, pain-resistant protagonist? Am I supposed to have no feelings? Am I supposed to be a mindless drone?
Well, I'm not. I'm a real person who gets fucked over sometimes, just like you. And when I get fucked over, it pisses me off, just like you. And when I see other people get fucked over, it pisses me off (not like you). And whenever I think I may have fucked someone over, I feel shitty about it (not like you). Like when I left Chuck at the Flying J in Salt Lake City. Even though I spent about a week feeding him and trying to help him get where he needed to be, I felt like a complete jerk when I decided to take the ride out of SLC. Y'see, it's not all about me, which is one of the major differences between you and me.
I have one really important question for you: If I'm so negative about everything, what does that make you? Seriously. I really want to know because all you've done is criticize me. And all the things you've criticized about me, you've taken to a whole new level. I mean, if I'm an asshole for that stuff, then you must be an "asshole PLUS" or something. Right?
So cut the bullshit, asshole. You didn't do it all on your own, just like I can't do it all on my own, just like no one can do it all on their own. The right opportunity came your way and you took advantage of it. Good for you. I'd be happy for you if you weren't such a prick to me.
But since you know so much about everything and everyone, I think it's about time for you to go out and live like a bum for six months. Oh yeah, and you have to take a camcorder with you so you can try to capture your bum story on tape and eventually turn it into a documentary, even though you know the documentary will probably never exist. This ain't no weekend wilderness hike, buddy.
We'll see what you have to say about certain things and people when you're done, OK. That is, if you can manage to cram three years' worth of full-time labor into six months (with no paycheck, of course).
Regarding the relationship between me and my parents: You don't know a fucking thing about me or my parents, so stop trying to act like you do.
Why do you think your journey would make you any money? Not a penny and yet you want to do it again. You need to think of your future. Getting a job is typically how most live. It is not that difficult to get a job. You may even be proud of your accomplishments. Try it. You may find some money is better than none.
I never said I did it on my own. I worked my butt off. I made connections, I networked but most importantly I got a job in my chosen field, worked hard and met up with people who inspired me and were mentors. They encouraged me to go on my own after awhile. I can honestly say not one person has f'ed me over. Some people did things that I didn't find too kind and I was hurt at the time, but I was able to find the good in the situation and become better and better at what I do. Each closed door leads to several more opened doors. You just have to stay positive.
I am extremely grateful for all the help I received over the years and for that reason I try to dedicate at least 40 hours of my work unpaid to various organizations each year.
I took a lot of criticism and still do. Without it I would still be only decent at what I do. You can only become great at what you do by taking criticism (and studying, and working hard, and staying positive, etc.).
The good thing about criticism or feedback of any kind is you have the choice to take it as negative demeaning, etc., or you can find the positive in it. The great thing is, it is your choice. Sorry for the cliche, but you can choose to see the glass half empty or the glass half full on most things. I am strictly talking about work related or personality related criticism. I realize there are experiences in life that take years if ever before you can find something positive from them.
As a parent, it is very difficult for me to see such negativity directed towards your parents. Who have obviously gone above and beyond what parents have to do these days. I think it is safe to assume that they allow you to live for free in their home. They probably even pay for your phone, some if not most of your equipment, have encouraged you when you were down and have at least from what's been written on the blog been there when you really needed emotional and monetary support. Instead of showing your gratefulness (I think you had one polite blog entry about them), you bitch about how unfair they are to you.
So my question are:
To what age should your parents be fiscally responsible for you?
Why do you have a right to their computer more than they do?
Why are your parents the bad guys if they don't pay for a pizza shop? Have you shown your parents that you can work your butt off and save money to make things work? Since your living at home in your mid thirties, totally dependent on your parents, it doesn't look like you have. Oh, of course you have, you'll say, you just got f'ed over.
I've seen so many brilliant people get lost because they have either felt they are somehow more entitle than others and things should be handed to them, or they haven't had the drive to really succeed. However, it isn't just intelligence that makes a person successful, personality has a lot to do with it. People want to be around positive people. People like doing work with positive people. I know it may seem wacky but your positive or negative energy really does effect the people around you. Try an experiment for a week. Instead of spouting off every negative thing that comes to mind each time someone tries to criticize you or just plain does something you don't like, try to be positive. Even if you can't say something positive, just don't ruminate on all the negative thoughts floating in your noggin. See how you feel at the end of the week.
Yeah, I know.. all the negativity is you just keeping it real. But are you really happy? Are you? The good thing is that it is never to late to change. You have the power within you, Ryan. You can be something amazing someday, or just another brain with a good idea, but a nasty personality to go with it (and living at home with your parents at the age of 40).
"Anonymous" and everyone else who's been reading this stuff:
I want to apologize for the nasty language and for the apparent hostility in my previous couple comments. Even though I welcome all criticism, sometimes I can't help being a little stirred up by it.
Sorry 'bout that.
I have nothing against you, Anonymous, whoever you are, but I maintain pretty much everything I've said. You don't know my reality and I don't know your reality. But I don't pretend I know what it's like to be you, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop pretending you know what it's like to be me.
I'm very aware that my life has been easier than a lot of other people's lives, all right. And I know my parents have treated me better than a lot of other people's parents treat(ed) them. But life just isn't that simple.
I don't want or expect my parents to give me anything. I just want them to be honest with me like I am with them.
I'm done talking about that stuff now because it doesn't belong here.
Anyway...
I haven't actually walked away from this pizza opportunity; I'm just giving it some time for now. In fact, I just received an e-mail from "The Dude," so maybe he's starting to see some value in my concerns and suggestions. We'll see.
sorry, I've been out of the country for a while..
That sounds great Ryan.. good luck! You are definitely a brilliant man and I honestly hope you make it in the Pizza world. When you do I will come in and introduce myself and maybe see if my kid can get a job at your joint ;-)
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