The path to success is to take massive, determined action. Anthony Robbins
A quote I came across on twitter by Lanny Zechar @TvlAgtCoach. It registered with me of course - I've given up my job and invested all our money into what I think is a good idea (leaving Louis to financially support us all!)
After tweeting that it's a scary thing to do, Lanny replied that it can be the smaller steps that are scarier to take. I think he's right. At the beginning, you can get lost in the romantic version of your idea - being your own boss, doing something you love, making money, changing society for the better - and you make the decision and that's it, easy! The hard work comes afterwards when you're trying to make the dream real, by piecing all the individual elements together, until you have what they call a business. And don't talk about the hard work getting it up and running and growing, that should be happening in December, yikes/yeeha!
It's been well over a year since I came back from the camping trip having cooked for 25 party goers on a small camping stove and wood fire - and loved it (!), and it's been even longer since I had the conversation with Louis and a friend about the need for a 'normal food' takeaway. The idea I have now for Food in the Hood is an ethical, community based mobile food van that goes into communities, and serves up decent food made with local ingredients (where possible of course), at affordable prices. As well as serving the general community, we can provide a regular delivery service, for those who might need a bit of extra help - older people, people with disabilities or learning difficulties, carers young & old.
We're here to make a profit but not by ripping people off. If we achieve that we'll give some of our profits back into the community, by supporting local groups and organisations. At first this might just be a raffle prize or two, or a free lunch for some of our older citizens, depends on how much we sell! Might not seem much, but I know from experience that lots of community groups rely on small businesses, when funding is short or non-existent. Imagine how much we could achieve if all profitable businesses supported communities in this way?
Food in the Hood will be relying on the community to keep it in business, so it's paramount our presence is felt by the community - great value, great values. (Hah! quite like that last wee bit!)
