The boxes have been unpacked and as I type this post I sit staring out over the glimmering Sydney skyline in my new pad. Earlier, there were a few clouds and even a little rain fell, but now the clouds only seem to add to the beauty of the sunset. If I seem a little more relaxed than last week, its because I am. That’s the power of perspective. And a little elevation…
Reveal of the timber bar underneath...
Last week we set to the task of preparing the space for demolition. We are lucky enough to have my father on board as demolisher-and-builder-in-chief. So last week while I was busy moving, he walked onto site armed with nothing but a crow-bar and a hammer and like Thor, unleashed the thunder!
Behind the ugly bar of gyprock and stainless steel was this amazing old wooden bar. But once Mjölnir has been unleashed, she is not easily sheathed. My father was on a rampage and he smashed that too! Like Shiva the destroyer, in his path of destruction flowered new creation. Where once there may have been congestion, now there is space- at least half a foot more space to be precise. And in a venue as small as ours that half a foot will feel like an acre! Then today, I joined him with my mini-Mjölnir and we smashed everything else into splinters. Anything that might break wasn’t safe from the two Knights and their hammers. By 4pm we were on a roll and would have kept smashing things, but sadly there was nothing left to smash. So tomorrow, we take to the walls with jackhammers.
But nothing can stop the thunder when it gets on a roll!
The best thing about going into business with a partner is balance. Last week, while I was busy moving house and working myself into an unproductive self-indulgent stress ball, Jezza was slowly but surely ticking things of the list. He has lined up some sweet deals with suppliers and negotiated a great price on our POS system for the bar. These back of house things don’t make for good blog imagery, but they sure make for good business.
We also decided to get some professional cleaners in to tackle the kitchen. I know, I said I was going to do it all myself, but you saw the photo. I would love to recommend them, but after two full days cleaning, they gave up. Just threw the keys under the door and walked away without getting paid. I knew it was bad, but seriously…
So, it looks like I will have to do it myself. Wish me luck!
And of course, we’re still concerned with trying to solve our chef issue. Luckily, this week I managed to catch up with some friends who own a really cool little bar. They gave me some fantastic perspective on seeing things as an owner, not just an employee. This time is an interesting transition and that little piece of advice has made things seem a lot less stressful. You see for years, I have done my job to compliment someone else’s business or someone else’s vision. Now, for the first time in my life, I have the opportunity to do what I want and have somebody build around me. Like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, it’s just about having a little faith in our vision.
My new perspective...
So with that in mind I’m going to knock the top off a beer, look at this view and sharpen up that vision.
Until next week,
Cheers!