Has it really been 30 days since I last blogged about Concept? So I've had nothing to say in 30 days?? Probably because I feel like I've accomplished nothing! Lol. That's far from the truth though and my alter ego knows it...it's just that I'm an artist and I sensitive about my sh*t! (Per Erykah Badu). So where do we begin?
The last meeting I had with the construction manager was encouraging. The building has no zoning or permitting restrictions- we just have to conduct the environmental assessment to make sure there aren't any asbestos hazards. The zoning for that requires us to have about 74 or so parking spaces at Concept. Because the building is in a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), I actually get about 18 parking lot credits bringing the requirement down to 56. The asking price for the building includes the adjacent property, which would only accommodate about 1/3 of the parking spaces I would need. I can either purchase more of the land that is adjacent to the building or talk to the Parking Standards Committee and ask them to reconsider the amount of parking spaces I need for the project. The other thing is to work with Capitol Police about securing some of the parking spaces in the State garages for after-hours guests.
The securities attorney gave me some really good feedback on the business plan- tells me it is very comprehensive and only needs a little bit of polishing. He also serves as the director of a local bank and said that they wouldn't be able to finance the loan because I don't have any applied experience. I understand that position but naturally, I disagree lol. Let's think about how many hospitality venues (restaurants, clubs and bars) that have opened and closed in the last 3, 5 or 7 years. I might not have the applied experience that they have but I'm pretty confident that I won't have to spend those 3, 5 or 7 years learning how to keep the business profitable- thanks to my degree in Wine, Spirits and Beverage Management. I mean, how many people really think about their contribution margin, labor cost and menu mechanics for 2 years before they open their doors? There are businesses in Tallahassee, RIGHT NOW, that are figuring that out as they go along.
As for 71 Proof, we are being considered for exclusive contracts for two major constituents for the upcoming football season here in Tallahassee. Which meansI was recently featured in The FAMUan, the award-winning news publication for Florida A&M University...twice in one week! And I'm also working diligently on the idea that I have for the Collegiate Chamber of Commerce. Hopefully, I'll be able to work with a couple of organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Junior Chamber (or Jaycees) to bring this to fruition. That is a really exciting project! It's going to be a way for me to pay it forward so I'm super excited about how that is unfolding. One of my other business projects is also finally coming to fruition. All-Star Consulting & Events is the consulting branch of 71 Proof; the business focuses on celebrity event planning with a focus on sport hospitality.
I've been told to focus on the little wins. I'm doing my best but it all boils down to Concept. I've been working on this project for 22 months...that's a toddler! I've got a lot vested and INvested in this and I can't even begin to think of what would happen to my (already extremely fragile) emotional state if this...yeah, I can't even say it. I remain steadfast in my quest for a NYE Grand Opening and I swear if I could do this all myself, I wouldn't have anything to worry about. If I could do the renderings and complete the design schematics and complete the renovations and develop the prospectus and get the collateral materials to pitch to investors and have the 10 stacks I need to retain all these people, Concept would be open next month if I could. But alas, I have done everything that I'm capable of right now.
What did Larin say? "Well turn it up a notch, you knew going in this wasn't going to easy. Successful people shine the brighest when times are toughest"...as I listen to Jazmine Sullivan's 'Fear.'
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