I didn't write yesterday, a very full day.  In conclusion of the freezer saga, the freezer was completely defrosted, then we had to rebake things that didn't make it through the episode.  As of the end of yesterday I have already worked 46 hours this week, not including Sunday, which was supposed to be my day off.  I don't say this to complain, but to let cafe dreamers know that that's what it's going to take.  You are going to have to LOVE it to do it. 

To recap yesterday, I came in at 5:45 am to bake for opening, opened at 6 am, worked the upstairs alone waiting for backup to come, supposedly between 8 and 8:30.  My baker had to come help me a few times (busy is good!).  No backup by 8:40, so we call her.  She has a different memory of when she's due to come in.  So I work alone until she gets here, around 9:45.  I know she's going to have an attitude, so as boss, I have a choice.  I can add to her attitude or I can take a different tack.  I'm in a good enough mood for both of us, luckily.  We avoid creating a very bad day for all, including customers, by my choosing not to add fuel to a fire.  It's not easy, but that's a skill a boss has to learn and use for the benefit of the business.

So why am I in a good mood considering the tough week??  Because I have had the foresight to schedule a mini-getaway for the coming weekend.  I could tell by last Saturday that if I didn't get away, I would never make it through our high season which runs through July 4th. I will go away Sat through Tues to visit a good friend and PLAY for two whole days.  When you're working these kind of hours, even the flight time is like a vacation.  I will likely sleep through the short flight and be ready for fun when I arrive.  It's important to take care of yourself, and getting out of town once in awhile is as important as getting a good night's sleep.  One thing I can say is that I don't have a problem taking care of myself.  No guilt or second thoughts!

So today I'm ready for the last push, getting all details pinned down (schedule, banking, paperwork, ordering) so I can comfortably be away from the shop.  Then get home to pack and get myself ready.  In between I will do my usual Friday baking plus a few extra staples and deliver a tiered bridal shower cake an hour away.  It will be done!

So says Betsy at BaklaJava!

I was just scooping out cookies and thinking, I really do love my job.  But it sure is hard to make money at this job that I love.  So many things to think about.  Are the product costs in line?  Labor is hard to control.  I don't take a paycheck but I want to.  My team members work so hard for so little money. But here I am getting specific before setting the stage.

I own and operate BaklaJava, a coffee bar/cafe/bakery.  We've been here 4 and a half years on Main Street in the Village of Pawling, NY.  I'd like to share what it's like to own and operate this business so I'll start telling you about it, hopefully every day.  Sometimes I can't share what I WANT to share, like who's driving me crazy, for fear of offending a customer or a team member.  But I'll try to be as honest as I can.

Today is Friday and I started the day exhausted.  I only get one day off, Sunday, right now.  And this past Sunday I came into work because it was Mother's Day, one of our busiest days of the year.  Our hours are 6:30 am to 6 pm weekdays, til 7:30 on Fridays.  I work every day between 10 and 13 hours.  So by Friday, I'm pretty darn tired, yet the week winds up, not down. 

I'm working with Elizabeth, one of my talented bakers in the kitchen.  She has 3 cakes to decorate.  I have two batches of cookies and one batch of muffin mix to make.  I've already stocked the freezer with ready-to-bake (made from scratch) biscuits and scones to get us through the weekend.  In between I'll be answering the phone, taking cake orders, backing up the floor team, and I'll tell you whatever else pops up.  Hope you'll enjoy sharing the ride with me!

I'm Betsy and this is BaklaJava!