Asking for Small Business Advice (and Finding It)
I love coffee. I do not naturally love spreadsheets. Unfortunately, the espresso machine does not accept compliments as payment, so we learned to get comfortable with the numbers. It started because we had one of those weeks where nothing catastrophic happened, but everything was slightly annoying. That is how businesses slowly leak money: by a thousand small “meh” moments.
The fix was not a big rebrand or a vision board. It was boring routines: know your margins, track cash flow, revisit pricing when inputs change, and schedule maintenance before equipment forces you into an emergency group chat. On bar we preach consistency; the back office deserves the same respect.
We do a weekly check-in: what sold, what was a surprise hit, what felt like work to move, and what costs changed. We keep it short and kind. Nobody learns well under shame. Also, croissants make hard conversations easier. That is just science.
If you are building something small and real, find a handful of trustworthy resources and keep returning to them. You do not need every opinion on the internet. You need a few good ones, plus the willingness to measure, adjust, and keep serving people well.
Helpful Links
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) — Funding, checklists, and plain-language guides.
- SCORE — Free mentoring and templates that feel usable.
- IRS Small Business and Self-Employed — The least fun link, but the most important one.
- Oregon SBDC Network — Local help for planning, cash flow, and growth.
- awzse.com — A solid “read this before you panic” bookmark.