As I've been faced with multiple fears this week, this quote from Frances Ford Coppola made me smile in my heart as well as on my face!  Let me check list some fears:

• I will forget to order something and it won't be here on time for the grand opening.
• I will simply not know that I should have ordered something.
• That my design ideas for the restaurant won't be sufficient.
• That Kenny and I will not see eye to eye and things will go poorly for us, as a couple.
• That the wrong person will take advantage of our kindness or simple naivete. 
• That I will physically not be able to hold up with the duties of the restaurant.

This week has been stressful, scary, frustrating, exciting, and then peaceful. Who knew with opening a restaurant that you need to have so many contractors and distributors on the ready?!  In my head, EVERYONE EXCEPT ME!!!    

Kenny realized this week all the things that I've taken on. He hadn't realized that when you buy this type of equipment it must also go along with another piece of equipment. Or that when you order soda machines and soda syrups that you also have to get a different distributor to add the Co2 to make the drinks fizzy. Why doesn't it all go together? Where is the new restaurant checklist? Maybe I should write a book?! NOOOO!!! I won't have time.

Then I read this quote from Mr. Coppola. I am so good at working with people. I am typically fun and one people can trust and rely on. I am so good at throwing parties and I am that person that thrives on seeing others happy! This is my niche. I need to stick to my niche.

Kenny is my rock! He has always been there for me and is now! This is HIS restaurant idea and I'm just the crazy supportive spouse. We work so well together so why should this be different. 

Talk about my personal code of conduct! Networking with integrity has been my guide. I had a moment 2 weeks ago where someone wanted to "help" us with the restaurant. I didn't have a good feeling. I wasn't scared of him, it just didn't feel right. Without saying anything or mentioning his name, because I don't care for gossip, this persons name was mentioned in passing between two sales representative from another business. He was mentioned in a very shady way because of business dealings he has done. I KNOW and trust that the spirit will continue to direct me if I listen! I'm grateful I listened to my gut. Nothing was said or done because of that feeling but I recognize that the lesson has been taught and the lesson was internalized! Not everyone is looking out for us, we need to keep being diligent!

This week I've met with the soda guy, the POS (point of sale) guy, the exterior signage guy, the plumber, the drywaller, the meat supplier, the Sysco rep, the dishwasher guy, the Co2 guy, and more that I can't remember right now. The point of this sentence: THINGS ARE MOVING ALONG!

I am overwhelmed with the amount of networking friendships that we've created as a couple and as individuals. Kenny and I have done a lot of service in our community and the people we have helped and served with have now come in full force to help and serve us! I am filled with gratitude and have been brought to tears with the amount of love and support we are receiving.

I have found that one thing can't be done without another thing. For example, I have my soda guy ready when countertops go in, he'll be there right after to set up machines. I just found out that he can't do that until a Co2 guy from a different company comes out to pressurize his system! One goes with the other. This scenario has happened multiple times and it always seems like we are directed to the best people!

Overall, my personal code of conduct is who I am. My honesty and integrity will be on display, not only as a friend but now as a business owner. I want to be the best version of myself at all times!

 

First, I want to share this photo of our dear friends, Kevin and Jenn Freestone. Kevin suddenly was given 5 years to live because they found a massive brain tumor. After surgery, chemo, radiation, and all the other attempts to save his live, he lived 6 & 1/2 years with his brain cancer. Their youngest was 1 year old when Kevin was diagnosed. Kevin passed away, at home, December 19, 2024. This feels like last week even through it has almost been a month. 

Jenn is a powerhouse! We went to brunch in September. At this point, Kevin's cancer really took effect with his speech and body functions. He couldn't remember simple words but thought he was saying correct sentences. He couldn't button his shirt. Jenn really had to step in! 

The idea that Randy Pausch said, "Don't pity me." and something about him not being morose enough, this is what life is all about!!!  Jenn has shared that she feels like she has "done it". She talks about the fact that she has been through things that 80 year old wives go through. They've "done it" together!  She was completely at peace!

Shortly after our brunch, I was in a class at BYUI where we had to do create and execute an event. This began my task of doing what I know how to do, that is throw a party!!!  I hired (without pay) my children and husband!  We threw a fundraiser party for the ages!  My husband smoked up massive amounts of meat, made sides, we got drinks and opened up our backyard gates and let the party happen! I knew I wouldn't be able to count people because I'd be running here and there getting things done. I know that I bought a 200+ plate bag from Costco and that was used and we had to get in our pantry to get more plates!  People SHOWED UP!!

I don't think it's a childhood dream of mine but it has become something I've developed and it's the talent of bringing people together! I have parties at my home ranging from 10-40 people at least 3 times a month!  When football season makes it's appearance, this becomes a weekly, no matter what! I have learned that this isn't normal and that it is a talent. 

Bringing Kevin and Randy's stories together, achieving goals and breaking through brick walls is a matter of taking steps. Some leaps but mostly small steps of growth. I don't pity Randy or his family. I see Randy's strength in his journey. 

Karma will come to me. I know that when we had the fundraiser for Kevin, we had neighbors that didn't know him but knew my husbands meat smoking abilities, we had past ward members, Kevins family and friends and ward members, we had a few strangers that saw our signage, we had random facebook friends, we had people from my husband's banking life, everyone came out for whatever reason. We had 3 hours of SO MUCH FUN! Bringing everyone together to rally for a good person and a great family!

Randy and, in my personal life, Kevin are forever an inspiration. Randy was 46, Kevin was 39. In that short time, the lives touched will forever be an example of me on how to see someone's true self. Kindness, love, God shines through!

 January 9, 2025

The journey has been exciting, strange, terrifying, frustrating, and hopeful. Kenny has been a banker for over 20 years and came home from his first few weeks at a new bank and said, "Let's open a restaurant." He didn't say, "Let's get a food truck" or "Let's start catering full time", NO, he goes big in everything he does.

We reached out to our realtor friend, Mitzi. She does residential but was up for the challenge. For months, and I mean months and months, we would find properties and they would turn us down for 2 reasons, 1. No one has ever heard of us. and 2. We need outdoor space for a 1,000 gallon smoker! 

Finally, we found a location of an a burger, fast food chain, The Habit, that went out of business. We were SO excited when they entertained our ideas! With a screeching halt, he said "No" but that was quickly followed up with, "But how about the old Sizzler building?" YES, YES, YES!  

A lease was signed at the end of September, 2024. All the equity in our home was signed away in November, 2024. Demolition started but everything is slowing down as we wait on permits. Yesterday, January 8, 2025, we were given the green light to move forward!

Our general contractor, Trent from Outlook, has been the biggest blessing. He is calm, hard working, thorough, and helps with items when we have no idea what works best. 

A fear is, who are we going to hire? How will we ensure we hire people that will become part of the family? Will they see the vision that we will take care of them and we hope in return they are loyal and hardworking, like us? I have so many friends that have reached out asking that we hire their children. The problem with that is the ones that are asking on behalf of their children are the ones that deep down know their children are not hard workers and want us to not only hire them but partially parent them. 

This blog is going to record the process of what we are doing to open a successful (hopefully) restaurant. Standby..... more to come!