“I’m a winner because I f*#%ing win” – Kenny Powers
Following that logic;
“We’re losers because we lost.” – Greg Parker.
We lost. We failed. We swam out past the buoys, got over our tips, bit off more than we could chew.
At what, you might ask? The coffee stand. We’ve sold it. We lost untold fortunes trying to bring delicious espresso to the citizens of Ellensburg and the IHB brewing team. Is it because we suck? I don’t know. I’m hoping it was because it was a doomed location but I’m guessing it’s more complicated than that. If you are at all inclined to feel sad or sympathetic, do not, I like to fail. Crashing brings clarity. Whenever I fall there is the moment before impact where I analyze the steps that brought me to where I am. Here is a list of my common mistakes, in no particular order
-not consulting with people who know what they are doing
-not consulting with the people who will be responsible for carrying out the mission
-overconfidence
-overconfidence
-lack of thorough planning
-lack of execution on plan
-inability to focus and see projects through to completion
-trying to keep up with people that are more skilled than I
Why am I telling you all this? Probably because that’s the Iron Horse way. We’re not so special and precious that we need to pretend to be perfect. We don’t feel that we are better than anybody and talking about our failures is a good way to remind ourselves of that. I also figure there are enough people out there that think I’m a pompous jerk and this will give them a little dose of the schadenfreude they so desire. Yeah, well blow it out your ass haters.
“Anger is an acid that does more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured” – Mark Twain
If you have been a supporter of the Iron Horse Coffee Co., thank you. We have selected new owners that we think are worthy of your continued support.
Does anyone know anything about hair salons? That seems like a promising next venture for Iron Horse.
note: the iron horse coffee stand will stop being the iron horse coffee stand on february 15th. fact.
No Comments
Kevin
Hmmm, sounds like a really good Business Coach would be very helpful to overcome the high “D” issues of lack of planning, inability to focus, and lack of execution. You always know where I am and how to reach out and touch me. 🙂
Kim
Geez! Give a girl a heart attack! As long as coffee is the only failure, we’re good! I need my Irish Death! In fact I just ordered some to be shipped to CA for my boyfriend for VDay because he can’t buy it down there! Thank you!!
Shelley
no hair salons, leave that to the ones already present.
All over the state are failed coffee stands, traffic patterns, ease to get to, ease to get in and out of and leave either direction, not one way traffic seem to be a killer. Pleasant well paid staff, tasty flavors, other options besides coffee for noncoffee drinkers. Don’t spread yourself too thin (peanut butter game) with your other businesses an family, advertise/promote to those who drink coffee the most out of necessity in your community-students. food for thought.
Mike
Way to own that shit! (But stick with beer. You haven’t fucked that up…..)
Kristin Ashley
It was staffing. I ordered a drip coffee and I did not get one. It was crazy. Sorry for the loss.
it’s nothing personal about your dog… | Iron Horse Brewery
[…] ambitious goal, no doubt, but I’m comfortable with going to my deathbed having fallen short (see blog on failing). Good food supports this goal. Iron Horse beer is many things: social glue, tasty ale, […]