Today I write a little early as I went shopping and I am a bit tired. Did not sleep until 11 and was up at 5:30... I promised myself I would sleep at 9:30 last night but I needed to do a load of laundry (bakery towels)
While laying in bed last night waiting on the laundry, I realized something very important. All of my life, ALL of my life, I answered to someone for a paycheck and my reward was just that, the paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I have been extremely fortunate to have had so many great opportunities, my favorite being the chance to move to Europe. My first job, I worked for a small company who made succession planing software. A very brave man, Ren, took a chance on me even though he wasn’t hiring. I learned a lot about many things and set my path. I am eternally thankful for that.
In all the years that followed I always had the idea of owning a business where I could really make the decisions which would impact my life, and that of others. I tried many times doing different things and sitting here today, writing to you, I realize why they all failed. I lacked the love, and deep desire. Now, for the first time in my life, I am in control of my paycheck. It’s more stress than many may realize, but I am free. The work I do, impacts many people instantly, through their experience of my food, and the ambiance of the bakery.
I took the fork in the road and now back on track.
This morning I took a new approach to making bread and had a couple of setbacks, the worst being relates to three loaves of bread. Two are filled with olives and one with sun-dried tomatoes. I was so busy making many things that they over proved. What this means is, they became gassy inside and deflated the moment I touched them. For a good bread you wanna roughly follow the 80/20 rule. You prove 80% and let the oven do the last 20%.
Anyway, without thinking, I tossed them in the oven. Now they are flat like ciabatta but of course they are not these breads. A fix, for anyone who wants to know, degas and kneed the bread again, let it rest for 15-20 and then shape it..
Last night, a solo customer came in. She lives in Santa Maria, was in Inca, and came across the bakery just by chance. She convinced herself quickly to try to cheesecake, never noticing or asking that we are vegan. As she was about to eat she did ask if we are ecologic friendly and so we had a short chat about that. I waited for her to eat two bites before I asked her what she though, (after she also took a photo and posted on social media)... she said, “it’s very good”... I replied, “es vegano”... she was so surprised and smiled... and then proceeded to eat every last crumb.
In a few minutes I will start on another cake. I’m not decided on if I do a raspberry one or chocolate. I imagine both will be equally fantastic.
I admit, I’m dragging a bit today, shopping took it out of me (easily my least favorite activity)... but when I came back to the bakery, two of Sandra’s friends were here and my friend Abel brought his wife. Can you imagine the smile on my face after seeing such lovely human beings?
I want to tell you a few important things..
1. If you really have a dream, do what you can to make it reality. There is no better feeling for me...
2. Sometimes it does cost money (I have literally used all of my life savings and have pennies left).. ask your family, friends or even the bank if necessary. The expression “it costs money to make money” is quite often true depending on your passion
3. You will climb mountains ... the past five months have been the most stressful I could imagine but I knew if I did not give up, even when I wanted to many times, i would make it. And really, if I can do it, I know anyone can... I know it..
An elderly lady came in this morning. She was here yesterday giving me advice on how to cut the bread (all in Spanish)... she told Sandra that she loved what we did to the bakery to make it so inviting. She sat and ate avocado on toast and I presume, loved it... that, makes my job complete.
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