My day at city hall

Yes , today I met with Mayor Kennon of Orange Beach to discuss my plans for starting a new business here in this beautiful city. Everyone at city hall was very nice and supportive and had more information than I could process. Most of what I remember was the near $6000 in fees for various permits I will need to apply for. One was for a landscaping permit that is required. On the frontage road I have to have one tree per 35 feet, plus shrubbery. And a usage fee for converting a house to a commercial site. Yes, I really want to buy,not lease. Even after finding out about all the extra fees, I still want the land with a house that is 88 sq. Ft. Too small. Yes, I have to put on a new roof, add on 88 sq. Ft. And landscape.I still want to own. Setting in front of these people, that are normally talking to billionaires about bringing new businesses to their beach town was not as scary as thinking about meeting with them.they made me feel very comfortable. All though the voice in my head was saying over and over, " what are you thinking! You don't have the money for this !" I did pretty good at telling it to, " shut up! I'm busy making these people think I do". And I really think I do . At least I think I have enough to get started. Then the store would have to start paying for itself. I think I can , I think I can , I think I can..... I really want to do this. Tomorrow I call a site engineer to find out what his serves will cost me..... I think I'm having fun now !

Lease or buy ?

I did go look at the unit I could afford to lease and I like the unit that was a little bigger and a little more money. Right next to the road, a end unit so 2 sides were all window ....every nice. But not $800 a month,more like $960 a month. But then there is the land,1.3 acres with a small house on it, in a perfect place for a drive thur window. Might could get the monthly payments down to $1000 a month and it would be mine :) or but it would be mine :( . Not sure which it would be. I'll be talking with the city and the bank this next week.

This is not easy

Most people are quite impressed with the 3 and 1/2 month Scott and I spent on bicycles ridding around Florida. Well, let me just say, that was much easier than starting your own business. When things got hard on our trip, you just Kept peddling and peddling. When things get hard trying to start this business , I have no idea what to do ! To tell you the truth that is what is so hard about this, I have no idea what to do and I sure have no idea what order to do it in either. I had no idea finding the right place would be so hard ! Everything I read says to Compare and narrow down your choices to 5 places. Lol I have found one place I can afford . I go look at it tomorrow. Now I get to worry all night that it might be perfect......oh my what would be the next step ? Do I need an attorney To help me decipher the lease agreement ? And really I have to 4 tax ID's . I have a whole new respect for people that start their own business. I'm moving forward very slowly ! And I thought I was slow peddling ! I was...but this process is much slower.

Rhonda is feeling discouraged

Rhonda went to city hall for information about zoning today. she found out a minimum of 1000sqft is required for any food outlet, no drive thru huts allowed. That means a lot bigger and a lot more furnishings required than she wanted to do.

To earn a few dollars and have something to do, I submitted applications at Publix, MacDonalds and a nearby cigar/liquor store. Today I interviewed with Justin and accepted a position at MacDonalds. Yep. Start Tuesday. I am enthused about it, haven't ever worked in a fast food franchise, don't really know what to think about it.

Dancing Cup Cafe: Alabama in the winter

Dancing Cup Cafe: Alabama in the winter

All good things must come to an end ...why ?

Yes, our bike trip around the coast of Florida has ended. Even though we had gotten tired of the daily peddling , now that we've called it done.

Alabama in the winter