Midway Through Café Malté's Summer Coffee Shop Outdoor Pop-Up:
A Test of Determination and the Cost of Tranquility
Right around the halfway mark of the summer pop-up at Café Malté, compounded challenges really put me to the test. They came to ask two simple but profound questions: How badly do you want this? and What is the cost of your tranquility?
THE CHALLENGES
Emotional and mental fatigue hit hard right around week 7. The humidity, rain, and temperature fluctuations in the container caused both the expensive equipment; coffee machine, grinders and extension cords to malfunction, adding another layer of chaos outside of my control. The previous weekend had rained inconsistently, which meant I also had to close consecutive days at a time. This meant lost revenue, product expiring, clock ticking. Weekend 7 was the first weekend I could open consistently on all three days. When the sun is shining, it is our time to shine!! Despite these challenges, demand and excitement for the product were rising. This is amazing! This is what I wanted! It also meant more pressure to deliver, more hours, more help needed, more product, and more investment. I know I only have a limited number of weekends left to shine… this also meant a limited number of weekends to enter into profitability, and maybe, just MAYBE...pay myself.
BALANCING
Balancing this pop-up with my full-time corporate job, which remains consistently demanding, is no small feat. Monday to Thursday is consumed by my 9-to-5 corporate job in National Audio Advertising, and any spare time in the evenings is dedicated to baking, prepping, and managing the coffee shop on the weekend. Evening prep includes everything from inventory orders to paying suppliers, managing cash flow, and keeping up with social media, and the list goes on. What little "me-time" I can squeeze in the early mornings is set aside for a run, a jump in the lake... which is the time where I am reminded of my tranquility.
THE DOUBTING VOICE
Amidst this chaos, there’s an incessant voice that grows louder with each passing day. It whispers doubts: "You don’t need to do this. You don’t have to own this weekend. You don’t have to bake more cookies. You don’t need to keep pushing. You can just stop.” It’s a familiar voice that I would hear in my triathlon training, and in those times, the voice is tired, whining and I know is just trying to protect me from overwork. I gently thank the voice, laugh (or cry), rest, and keep going.
MOTIVATION
In times like these, I must remember my "why." I am still struggling with this one. When you take away any financial gain, the need for status, social media likes, what is left? I remind myself that I am building a brand, but I am not sure it is enough to justify the hours and energy that I am investing. There are those little moments when a smiling face will drop by and genuinely make my day, tell me I am inspiring them, and this fuels me to keep going.
REFLECTION
Someone asked me last weekend if I would continue, knowing what I know now. Knowing that I’d be working like a madwoman just to (maybe) break even. Many entrepreneurs don’t break even until their third year in business and may never actually pay themselves. Does the reward of navigating your own, sometimes chaotic ship, justify the lack of sleep, financial instability, and the many other sacrifices that come with leaving a corporate job?
GROWTH
If you came here looking for the answer, I don’t have it. Ironically, I was making more in profit doing coffee and cookie drops from my home office while also doing my 9-5. But that was a comfortable place that needed to grow. This is beyond uncomfortable. This is where growth happens.
HOW BADLY DO I WANT THIS?
I know I have a high level of determination and commitment. Despite the challenges of balancing a demanding corporate job with running the coffee shop, experiencing equipment failures, financial pressures, and emotional and mental fatigue, I continue to push forward. I have a desire to build my brand, despite doubts and difficulties, I will always have a strong determination to succeed and grow through adversity.
BUT, WHAT IS THE COST OF MY TRANQUILITY?
The price of tranquility for me, I realize, is high. Moving forward, any undertaking must allow me to financially support myself and provide enough time for tranquility. This profound question was asked by someone dear to me and has made me reflect deeply. I sacrifice my personal time, sleep, financial stability, and mental peace to keep this coffee shop running. My "me-time" is limited and precious, so I need to place a higher value on it. Not paying myself from the beginning was a necessary decision, but it creates an impossible barrier for sustainability, peace and long term happiness.
TO BE CONTINUED...
And sometimes, the fact that it is HARD, is just enough to keep going. Every podcast and motivational speech will tell you to push through and keep going. I am questioning this mentality as well. Keep you posted on the next 7 weeks, of course, and hoping this is a turn for the better. 🎢
Thank you all for the continued support and coffee love.
I see you, I love you.
Stephanie aka. Mtl Latte Heart
If you haven't visited yet, the Outdoor Pop up is on for the summer.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8a-3pm as long as the sun is shining, I will be open.
Located behind Riverside in St- Henri
5020 rue St Ambroise, canal facing.
Follow the canal bike path to the pink house, and you will find the converted cargo container nestled in the big tee and covered in all the colours.
Your dedication is inspirational 🙏🏼
In retrospect, challenges almost certainly bring rewards that may not always be financial, but allow you to recognize the tremendous growth and potential you’ve achieved. 💪🏼
Love and passion leave a lasting impression that will be returned in spades! I’m confident the ROI will be tremendous in all aspects. 🤗
Onwards and upwards ❤️