We are very proud to share that we, Barb and myself, have been recognized as women entrepreneurs who have “Realized Their Dreams” for our work to create and nurture Carriage House Bakery and More. We celebrated our five year anniversary on October 24, 2011 which, “they” say, is the true mark of a successful food business. I guess this is because over 90% close within the first year. Guess the statisticians believe that five is some kind of magic number... more than one and under 10.
As much as I hate to say it, given the recognition and all, Carriage House wasn’t our dream... at least for the reasons you might suspect. Most people ask me when I discovered my passion for baking. I always say the same thing. Baking is not my passion. Teaching is my passion. Baking is something that I do to make the business run which, in turn, gives me a place to live.
Not too romantic, is it? But I bet if you ask most entrepreneurs and, if they will answer you honestly, they will tell you that their business may have started as a dream but it has become a way to keep their kids in school, pay the mortgage, and take vacations - although fewer than their “employed” friends. Sure, there is still the spark that you feel every once in a while when you walk in the door which gives you great pride to say this place is “mine” and people come here because we treat them well and give them a great product. But then the day begins and you realize that you work for your employees, your vendors, your customers, and only sometimes, for yourself.
In many ways, it seems like the recognition we are getting is simply because we have survived. Carriage House survived road construction, a poor choice in location, moving and people thinking that we are a dog bakery with maddening frequency. We survived one of the owners having to go get a job outside the business to fund the shortfall; it survived one of the owners being diagnosed with breast cancer and lung cancer and not being able to work anymore; it survived good friends and investors needing to volunteer just so that we could get by. But we did survive and we are VERY proud of that fact.
In our five years of business, we have developed a VERY LOYAL customer base...people who come in weekly, bi-weekly and monthly to say "hello" and to support our store. We've seen babies born, children grow up, couples get married, prayed people through illnesses and death. Our customers come for great bakery, great service and the personal attention that we give each and every one. To these people, we say a resounding "THANK YOU" as it is because of your support and our hard work that we have survived.
In our five years of business, we have developed a VERY LOYAL customer base...people who come in weekly, bi-weekly and monthly to say "hello" and to support our store. We've seen babies born, children grow up, couples get married, prayed people through illnesses and death. Our customers come for great bakery, great service and the personal attention that we give each and every one. To these people, we say a resounding "THANK YOU" as it is because of your support and our hard work that we have survived.
What I really appreciate, not instead of but in addition to, the recognition is the idea that Andrew Samtoy, member of Cleveland Bridge Builders, came up with - “Cash Mobs.” Unlike flash mobs that started out so positive and turned negative in a short time, Cash Mobs are designed to create commerce for small locally owned businesses like ours. His idea was, “what if 65 people showed up to a local business with $20 each to spend. What kind of impact would that have.” They target a store that is locally owned, has products for men and women, and it must give back to the community in some way. Hey, that’s us!!
You know, probably 5 times a month a person walks in our store who has never been in before asking for a donation for this or that. They are all good causes. We give as we can and we give to those who frequent our store for more than just the charity call to give them money. What Mr. Samtoy is saying is that instead of asking for something, Bridge Builders will contribute to the bottom line of these small locally owned businesses. Andrew, you are my hero!!
You know, the federal, state and local government show very little concern for the truly small businesses that line their streets. But we are what makes this locale different from other places. Folks don’t travel from North Olmsted to shop at Avon’s WalMart or Penney’s or Lowes. They come to go to places like Carriage House, Jameson’s Antiques, Jelly Bean, Details and Littlest Details, Strip, Nemo’s, Helen and Kal’s. It is these folks that make Avon unique and a destination different than some others. Rather than asking for a donation, please think of shopping at these and other locally owned stores to keep up the character and commerce.
One thing that is very hard for an entrepreneur to do is to ask for help. These times are different. We’re asking!
