This time last year I was getting geared up to have my new hire orientation. I was busy printing materials out, formatting the evening, making sure that everything for the day was on point. I was excited, nervous and full of anticipation of creating the team that would make Third Perk the best coffeehouse in Dayton. As Becca, Courtney, Alyssa, Will, AJ, LaChelle and LaSada worked to jell as a team and craft their skills as barista, I sweated over when the construction would be done. That seems so long ago.
Today Third Perk is only left with one survivor of the original crew. Will is a awesome barista and he offers great customer service. I am thankful that he is still hanging in their. For many reasons our original crew moved on, and they are missed terribly, but we have a new staff that is fit and ready to serve.
Jamieka is the new Assistant Manager. She has come in with a mission of taking most of the load of my plate. Yes I prayed for her and I hope she can hold it up, my plate is heavy. Jamieka over the course of a few weeks have really gotten to know customers and the way that we do business. She has really taken ownership of the café. She is determined to be the best and to make Third Perk a top notched café. I really appreciate her and her great energy.
Ellen is a seasoned barista/resident artist. There is Shay who is our shy kitchen assistant who doubles as an inspiring barista. Rounding out our new additions is Chef Anthony, recent graduate of Sinclair Community College. He has organized the kitchen, created a wonderful tapas menu and is growing as leader at Third Perk.
Who knows what the next 12 month will lead to with the Third Perk team........
Sunday, June 12, 2016
June 16, 2015................ 12 Months Later
This Thursday I will celebrate, along with my wonderful employees, family, friends and customers one year of business at 46 West Fifth Street in beautiful downtown Dayton. I would say that it has been like a flash before my eyes but that would be less than the truth.
This year has been filled with great success, followed by amazing praise and wonderful times at Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar. But this adventure has also included its challenges, set backs, disappointments and tears. Through it all, I don't think I would trade it for anything else. The lessons learned over the past 12 months have allowed me to become a better business woman, to expect the unexpected and to believe in the unbelievable. I have learned that dreams come true and they even inspire others to dream.
Just this week as we prepare for our anniversary we opened our second location, Third Perk Express! @ the Northwest Branch Library. We are the first to have a cafe in the Dayton Montgomery Library system. This is an amazing accomplishment for us and we hope to serve the residents of Northwest Dayton well with amazing coffee products.
Yesterday was the kick off to our week long anniversary celebration. It was a wonderful out pour of the community coming by purchasing their favorite beverages and enjoying music by my very talented husband Robert Sanae.
The afternoon also included the support of participating vendors: LeKeisha Nicole, Charlynda and Francine Cummings. They shared the event with Third Perk offering a great selection of foods, art and publications. It was a wonderful afternoon. It was a constant stream of love and support of the business.
I look forward to opening the doors to Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar this coming Thursday. Our first 10 customers will receive a $10 Third Perk gift card. Twelve months ago I opened the doors to the public and there was no one waiting to come. :-) Not one person. How wonderful would it be for there to be a line waiting outside the door at 7:00am. It's possible. A girl can dream can't she!
This year has been filled with great success, followed by amazing praise and wonderful times at Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar. But this adventure has also included its challenges, set backs, disappointments and tears. Through it all, I don't think I would trade it for anything else. The lessons learned over the past 12 months have allowed me to become a better business woman, to expect the unexpected and to believe in the unbelievable. I have learned that dreams come true and they even inspire others to dream.
Just this week as we prepare for our anniversary we opened our second location, Third Perk Express! @ the Northwest Branch Library. We are the first to have a cafe in the Dayton Montgomery Library system. This is an amazing accomplishment for us and we hope to serve the residents of Northwest Dayton well with amazing coffee products.
Yesterday was the kick off to our week long anniversary celebration. It was a wonderful out pour of the community coming by purchasing their favorite beverages and enjoying music by my very talented husband Robert Sanae.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Third Perk is branching out!
It has been a while since I have made a post. It is not because I had little to say. It is simply because since June 16 I have been running ever since. I cannot believe that this journey has placed me on a thread mill that has not stop button. I am not sure if I had the stamina in the beginning to keep up. I am not sure if I have it now. I would be a liar if I said that the work has been easy. IT HAS NOT!
BUT, I would not trade one moment for the world.
I have met so many great people. I mean I thought I knew people, but Dayton has shown me different. Third Perk has proven to be such a melting pot. I can never predict who will walk through the doors, who will sit down and have a conversation, what plans are being built as a result from being here at Third Perk.
I have heard a few say, "this space is special", "I feel protected here", "I get such a good feeling being in here". I am blessed just knowing that Third Perk has met the objectives that I set out for it to make. It is sophisticated; it is safe; it has great products with excellent customer service. So although I have worked very hard (harder than I would have ever imagined) it was worth every swore limb and all the sleep lost. I would do it again.
Before we opened our doors I submitted a proposal to become a vendor at the new library opening. It promised to be a mega complex and something that our are had never seen. This is a picture of the library under construction:
I will have a coffee shop! I felt that it should be me. I applied, I interviewed, I won the opportunity!
Oh wait. I have exhausted all me resources to make the first cafe happen. BUT. This location could sustain the downtown cafe. The library would be a great advertisement for our full service location.
The picture above is a cart similar to what we will use at the library. That cart is pretty pricey. It is going to cost between 25,000-40,000 including the equipment. But how cool is it going to be?
After knowing that commercial funding was not an option for me. I have looked again towards alternative means to make this project happen. I launched an Indiegogo Campaign on December 16. (It needs help, I think it has grown stale). I have a gala planned for January 16, The Dreamer's Gala. It will be an interactive evening filled with fun, an auction, great food and a room full of beautifully dressed people. The Dreamer's Gala will live on after this year. I am going to use the Dreamer's Gala as an avenue to grow capital for entrepreneurs in the City of Dayton looking to build businesses in the City of Dayton. I will be the change that I long to see. I will provide funding for new businesses, but not without help.
I hope that you feel compelled to help me in my new project. You can donate by clicking the following link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/third-perk-branching-out#/
If you are so inclined to get gussied up and support us through attending the Dreamer's Gala you can purchase a ticket at Eventbrite by clicking on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dreamers-gala-third-perk-tickets-19825401309?aff=es2
Here is a sample of some of the amazing art work that will be auctioned off that evening:
BUT, I would not trade one moment for the world.
I have met so many great people. I mean I thought I knew people, but Dayton has shown me different. Third Perk has proven to be such a melting pot. I can never predict who will walk through the doors, who will sit down and have a conversation, what plans are being built as a result from being here at Third Perk.
I have heard a few say, "this space is special", "I feel protected here", "I get such a good feeling being in here". I am blessed just knowing that Third Perk has met the objectives that I set out for it to make. It is sophisticated; it is safe; it has great products with excellent customer service. So although I have worked very hard (harder than I would have ever imagined) it was worth every swore limb and all the sleep lost. I would do it again.
Before we opened our doors I submitted a proposal to become a vendor at the new library opening. It promised to be a mega complex and something that our are had never seen. This is a picture of the library under construction:
I will have a coffee shop! I felt that it should be me. I applied, I interviewed, I won the opportunity!
Oh wait. I have exhausted all me resources to make the first cafe happen. BUT. This location could sustain the downtown cafe. The library would be a great advertisement for our full service location.
The picture above is a cart similar to what we will use at the library. That cart is pretty pricey. It is going to cost between 25,000-40,000 including the equipment. But how cool is it going to be?
After knowing that commercial funding was not an option for me. I have looked again towards alternative means to make this project happen. I launched an Indiegogo Campaign on December 16. (It needs help, I think it has grown stale). I have a gala planned for January 16, The Dreamer's Gala. It will be an interactive evening filled with fun, an auction, great food and a room full of beautifully dressed people. The Dreamer's Gala will live on after this year. I am going to use the Dreamer's Gala as an avenue to grow capital for entrepreneurs in the City of Dayton looking to build businesses in the City of Dayton. I will be the change that I long to see. I will provide funding for new businesses, but not without help.
I hope that you feel compelled to help me in my new project. You can donate by clicking the following link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/third-perk-branching-out#/
If you are so inclined to get gussied up and support us through attending the Dreamer's Gala you can purchase a ticket at Eventbrite by clicking on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dreamers-gala-third-perk-tickets-19825401309?aff=es2
Here is a sample of some of the amazing art work that will be auctioned off that evening:
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