Opportunity and Compromise

By compromise, I mean changing the model, location needs, and/or vision just to get opened. We have been through so many seasons with the planning of Cafe Evoke and with each new idea, possibility, and decision we make, I begin to categorize it as a opportunity or a compromise. I do not like to use the term compromise in business as it sounds like you are giving something up. Compromise means that the two sides in dispute reached a settlement by both sides making concessions. In business, I prefer "win-win" situations -- where both parties get what they want and work together. How does this all boil down to Cafe Evoke? We have looked at many buildings, many areas of town, and many different types of locations. Warehouses, strip malls, new constructions, old houses -- you name it and we have probably looked into it. I have said all along that Cafe Evoke's growth plan is not to open 1,000 stores a month or even 1 store a year. Our goal is to commit that money to our local community and also communities around the world. We did have a few trailers and the catering business in our growth plan that we hoped to launch between year 3 and year 5 so we are still filling opportunities we have already planned for by staring Cafe Evoke Catering. There is a new possibility for a Cafe Evoke location inside one of the new hospital buildings here in Bozeman. Is this a deviation from our model? If we were to jump on this "opportunity", are we compromising our vision just to be opened? We are in the middle of thinking all of this through. Nothing is set as of now and we are not even sure how real the chances are for us to be at that spot. What we have to think about is how it would work with the coffee house location when it opens. I have seen these "coffee shops" in other hospitals and they make great money but is that all that needs to be considered here? Over the next several weeks, we will be exploring this possibility and talking with our board of advisors to get their opinions. We will also be looking at the budgets and forecasts of such a location and hopefully be meeting with the hospital people to see what their plans are and how Cafe Evoke would fit in. I want to be very sure that we are making informed decisions. ...be bold Tags: cafe evoke, catering, bozeman, montana, coffee, tea, espresso