Another chapter
Excuse my absence from this space for the past week or so (I know, I know — the silence has been deafening), but TBK and I have been involved in some of the same transmogrifications that have enveloped some many in our city recently.
Namely, we’re liquidating at least part of our business. The food operation I founded some five years ago and moved to New Orleans and took full-time about two years ago can no longer subsist as it was. Given the lack of cash flow, the non-existence of any grant programs to encourage small business recover from hurricane damage and the fact we have long-since spent all our personal backup resources and credit, we’ve decided it’s simply time to scale back and get real Day Jobs to make ends meet. We were doing alldamnright until the storm hit. But as much as we’ve enjoyed self-employment, it simply isn’t going to work in this way at this time in this city. At least not if we hope to pay the Entergy bill and the refabricated mortgage.
This isn’t to say we’re angry or bitter. I mean, we had the resources up until about Mardi Gras or so. But, optimistic fools that we are, we kept hoping there would be another trapeze to jump to. Our local clients have been (and remain) wonderful and supportive. But in our shrunken post-K universe, there are simply not enough of them. We’ll retain enough capacity and corporate organization to serve some of them — but a lot of the equipment has already been sold. The proceeds have gone to various creditors. If we owe you, you’ll be paid in full — just continue to be patient and thank you.
There are so many of us in the same situation here these days. The reshifted world we live in has been a tremendous opportunity for so many — but it has also dropped the very floor (sometimes literally) from others. It’s a new kind of economic Darwinism — in that those who make good business decisions are sometimes as likely to perish as those who don’t. What hurts so many of us economically is that we refuse to leave — we just adjust what we have to do. Leaving is not an option.
It’s the kind of thing you either understand or you don’t. We know full well that life might be easier someplace else. But being easier won’t make it better.
Go Saints.
Related posts:
Craig and Kim ~
I’m sorry to hear that you have had to dissolve the business. If there is anything I can do, let me know! Keep your chin up!
Craig,
Your post broke my heart - well, for 2 reason’s - 1) ya’ll have such yummy cheese!! delish! and 2) i feel so bad for you and TBK.
You have both hung in there, and we thank you for it. Know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. ;>
Please accept my good wishes and Love, during this difficult time.
Next time i run into ya’ll, Abita’s on me!
hugs and kisses to you both, :*
termite.
Go Saints….and dem Tigers!! :D
I’m sorry to hear about the reorganization (trying to be positive!!) of Forgotten Coast Foods. But don’t stop making that awesome BBQ sauce! I’m telling ya, the best BBQ I’ve ever tasted!!!!!
I opened up in July. Am I an Idiot or just asking for certain doom. July sucked, August sucked, and now in September, it is starting to pick up a little bit. I too am strained and pulled apart by loans and credit just to keep the doors open. I won’t leave either. I jujst have to hold on til my lease is up in March 2008. Of course, 2008 is a long way off. Anyway, sorry to hear about the cutbacks. Good Luck
What about selling your Barbeque sauce through the mail?
Laurie
I check in on you from time to time, Bro. Regarding your cookin’, smokin’ & the like, all that knowledge, skill, devotion & passion is right up there in your head where you can find it when the time comes. And it will. I know you well enough to know that much. I’m glad we’re all Happy at Last. Love to the kids…