I want to tell you a story about a guy who was on a mission
Epiphany Bridge Story — Reinhardt Jobse
The Backstory
I was dedicated to work hard, play hard restaurateur for almost 20 years. I was committed to delighting guests, excellence, and working 80 to 100-hour weeks.
My Desires
Back then, the only thing I wanted was to have my restaurant and become the owner of several outlets. That was all that mattered to me.
External Struggle
I remember this one incident imprinted in my memory. I was just starting as a waiter, and I loved it. My parents didn’t agree with my ambitions, and we had a massive fight about my aspirations. To them, there was no future pursuing a career in restaurants, no place for me. I was supposed to get a degree, find a job, and work my way up the corporate ladder.
Internal Struggle
To me, the only thing that mattered was to do what I loved and to love what I do. And my folks not supporting my decision and ambitions was disappointing. In a way, that’s where I lost faith in those who were supposed to have my back. Stubborn as I was, still am, I went on with what I set out to do.
The Wall
I didn’t have the money or support of my family. I was without a job at the time, and all I wanted was my restaurant.
The Epiphany
Out of desperation, I went for an interview as a manager at a restaurant called Caraffa. The owner was considering other candidates and was to call me in two days to let me know. It never happened. I was so focused on opening a restaurant.
Two weeks after the interview, I turned to praying, and I remember this so well. I was writing out menus and doing costings.
I remember taking a deep breath and almost demanding to God “I don’t know where. I don’t know how, but, give me a coffee machine, and I’ll do it” (I’m getting chills as I write this)
I was out shopping the one day, and as I pulled up in front of the Supermarket, my phone rang. It was the owner of Caraffa. I answered, and she profusely apologised for not calling me about the manager vacancy. It also wasn’t the reason for her call.
Her offer was “Reinhardt. If we can sort you out with a coffee machine, a couple of chairs and tables, would you be interested?”
That was a massive moment for me. I could not believe my luck, or that my prayer was answered two days after making demands. Oh, my word!
The Plan
The plan was simple. I was going to borrow money and buy what I needed to open and start trading.
Little did I know. There was still a problem.
The Conflict
I needed coffee, milk, groceries, inventory, equipment. I needed a whole bunch of things to have a decent offer for any customer who walked in and wanted more than a coffee.
I thought it would be easy to raise money for this venture, but it proved way more complicated.
The budget I had wasn’t even close to a shoestring.
The Achievement
I ended up negotiating a deal with the landlord for the space and a coffee machine. I borrowed chairs from Caraffa, tables from Capeesh.
I was fortunate to get coffee beans on consignment.
I moved everything from my apartment (except my bed) into the shop.
I asked a friend to help me out with money and, he gave me $ 20 which I used to buy milk, bread, cheese, and tomatoes so I could make silky smooth Lattes and offer toasted sandwiches for a bite to eat.
The Transformation
I grew in confidence. It was a significant victory. I finally got to run a coffee shop the way I wanted and apply all the knowledge I acquired. It was a blessing.
I was doing great. In a couple of months, I was able to offer cooked meals and customers were becoming friends. I was bootstrapping and growing organically. At the age of 26, I was the happiest guy in the world.
And then?
I lost it. Not the business. I lost myself and then closed a successful business.
I became haughty. I became arrogant.
I made terrible decisions. I did silly, stupid things.
Things I’m not ready to share with the world, not yet.
I blew quality relationships to smithereens.
PS: Thank you for letting me share my story with you, and follow my blog for more.
