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.

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 $$.

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.

Cute Pink Car

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!

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