Happy 2012

Welcome to the Hotwire blog!  Come back often for news and updates from your community coffeehouse.

Entrepreneurs Meeting a Week Later

Last Saturday I conducted my first entrepreneurs meeting at the coffeeshop.  I put out a general invitation via our newsletter and some handbills at the shop.  I didn’t know what to expect really but was very pleased I had 10 people show up ready to learn about small business ownership.

I’ve was a public speaker in my former life so I’ve had some experience with this.  I developed a program where there would be some talking (me) some interaction and also some role playing.  I also brought in an expert, my webmistress, who talked about marketing.  I was also very lucky to have a well-know speaker and author review my notes and give me pointers.

All in all it was a very good meeting.  I got back into the role of a motivational speaker and injected energy into my instruction along with funny stories people could relate to.  The main theme of the meeting was surround yourself with people who know more than you, the thrill of taking a dream and turning it into reality and if you look behind you all you see are mirrors of yourself.

The people who attended were mostly working in the corporate world so we spent some time on the fact no ones job is really that secure.  Seems like it was time for most people to take a leap of faith from the jungle and off the cliff into small business ownership.  I think I scared them too which my thoughts on why small businesses fail, people need to go into this with their eyes wide open and not wide shut.

I’m going to do this again next quarter, Saturday May 16th 7pm – 8:30pm at Hotwire.

Social Media Sources

This past weekend we tried an experiment with our combined social media sources.  We gave away a free 12oz white chocolate strawberry mocha on Valentine’s Day which was a first for us.  We used the West Seattle Blog, KING 5, Facebook our e-newsletter and Twitter. 

The West Seattle Blog www.westseattleblog.com was the strongest indicator that people are using and acting on this community news site.  The editor put two links on the blog, one in a paragraph http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=14268 highlighting happenings on Valentine’s Day and the other on the forums page http://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=3800

KING5 news ran six 10-second spots from 6am to 9am on Friday morning, the day before the event. 

Facebook was third with 131 ‘friends’ of Hotwire being invited to enjoy a free beverage.

I had emailed a Valentines newsletter to 2100+ customers.  This was the only stream though who needed to do something other than come into Hotwire (coupon).

Last was Twitter which resulted in zero responses which really surprised me.

In conclusion, this was a success for us as it underscored the fact people are using the community blogs and getting their community information online.  It was easy to track for the staff and it gave me some direction as to where to spend our advertising $$.

Monday in my Office

This is new for me.  Usually I’m at the shop on a Monday morning but today I work the later closing shift as my 2 staff members are on a road trip.  I’ve updated the art walk blog, tweeked the movie blog and checked my email. 

Today I had an interesting email from a student at one of the local schools.  One of his friends decided to ‘create’ his very own punch card and pass it off for free beverages. This young man emailed me because he felt he was wrongly accused and wanted to give his side of the story.  Of course I emailed him right back and gave him the mom speech about stealing and how it can evolve into far more if not curtailed.   The moral implications of stealing even a beverage from the local coffee shop are huge for a young person.  I wonder what happened inside this lad to justify this act?  Did he not have money?  Is it just youth?  Did he feel that was his right to steal?   

I will be interested to see how he responds to my email and provide an update.

Bev-O-Matic Innovation

Cute Pink Car

 

Want a morning coffee but in a rush to get to work?  Watch for our new   Bev-O-Matic service.    Now you will be able to call in your drink order and have it ready to grab and go!  You can also purchase one of our special Bev-O-Matic pre-paid cards so you won’t need to fuss with money!  

 

Hotwire’s new Bev-O-Matic service…making your life easier one coffee at a time.

Want a morning coffee but in a rush to get to work?  Watch for our new   Bev-O-Matic service Monday through Friday 7:00am to 11:00am.  Now you will be able to call in your drink order and have it ready to grab and go!  You can also purchase one of our special Bev-O-Matic pre-paid cards so you won’t need to fuss with money!  

 

Hotwire’s new Bev-O-Matic service…making your life easier one coffee at a time.

Start with Quality Products

We have always searched for the very best products for the beverages we make each day.  It’s important to have a foundation of excellent ingredients so we know you are getting only the best from Hotwire.

 

Our beans are roasted locally by Seven Roasters in small batches and delivered fresh.  Sean Lee, the ower of Seven is committed to finding only the best beans from around the globe.

 

Our milk is delivered from Sunshine Dairy who sources fresh milk from local farmers.  All of our dairy products are free from rBST and growth hormones.

 

Our syrups are imported from a company in France who has been producing gourmet syrups since 1912.  Monin syrups are highly concentrated and are made with premium, fruits, nuts and spices.        

One More Thing I Love Movies on the Wall for the Winter

Now you don’t need to wait for the summer to experience the great West Seattle Movies on the Wall!  In March we will be showing an indoor shortened season inside the new West Seattle Christian activity center.

It’s going to be the same summer event which includes charity raffles, consessions, cupcakes and fun family activities.  Bring your blankets and chairs too.

 

Saturday, March 7th The Mummy

Saturday, March 14th Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Saturday, March 21st Napoleon Dynamite

 

This event is FREE for the whole family!  Doors open at 5:30pm movies start at 7pm.  For more information visit the Movies on the Wall blog or Email Us with questions.  

Own Your Own Hotwire Location

What to Start your Own Business?
We’ll Show you How!

Has the dream of owning a business seemed overwhelming?  Why not join us on Saturday, February 21st at 7pm for a one-hour presentation and Q&A session on small business ownership.

The benefits of attending the event would be your chance to see what it really takes to own a small business including start-up funds, time, hiring and all the other things that make a small business owner successful.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.  Please RSVP for the event by emailing us at info@hotwirecoffee.com with your name and how many people will be attending. 

Date and Time:
Saturday, February 21st
7:00PM-8:00PM

Location:
4410 California Ave SW
Seattle, Washington 98116

FREE!

Full Circle

Now in our seventh year in business I am taking this time to reflect on how we started, how we’ve grown and where we’re going.  From the last newsletter you read North Hotwire is now the Laughing Ladies Cafe.  I opened Hotwire North in August, 2003 and sold the location a little over 2 years ago. 

I am forever grateful for everything I learned by running a larger location, for the people I had the opportunity to hire and the community that embraced the business.  It taught me the essence of Hotwire can be created in many different environments as long as there is strong leadership, caring staff and a business plan that just makes sense for the community.

Now I have come full circle as I close myself to the North Hotwire and continue to grow the best business decision I have made in my life, Hotwire West Seattle.

My goal in opening a business was to reach out in my community and bring together people in a place that was comfortable, sometimes quirky but always inviting.  I feel that has been accomplished plus I have been able to support our West Seattle community by bringing together the West Seattle Art Walk, Movies on the Wall and sitting on a number of local boards. 

Now as I move forward I feel it’s time to share what I’ve learned, that is why I going to begin to hold quarterly meetings on small business ownership.  Who knows what the future will bring, but knowing that as one circle completes another will open is all I need.

Lora and the Hotwire Crew