The Journey of Launching a New Cafe Business:
A Personal Perspective

Welcome back to the Diary of a Runpreneur, to another exciting episode of my daily entrepreneurial journey! Today marks consecutive day 1235, an incredible milestone that I'm thrilled to share with all of you. Today's episode is extra special because I have the pleasure of being joined by my esteemed business partner, Ben, from Cafe at Highgate. We'll be discussing the exhilarating but challenging process of launching our new cafe business, set to open its doors on the 1st of November.

The Build-Up to Launch

Navigating the build-up to a business launch is no small feat. Throughout this journey, I've experienced a whirlwind of emotions, from palpable stress to shear excitement. Ben and I have certainly faced our fair share of hurdles, primarily the dependency on third-party suppliers and installers. It's a tough pill to swallow when key elements are beyond your control, but it's also a valuable lesson in managing expectations and maintaining flexibility. Our experience has taught us to double or even triple our expected timelines to accommodate these uncertainties.

Leveraging Local Resources

Living and working locally has been a tremendous advantage. It's fantastic how the local community has rallied around us, often pulling in favors to ensure things get done. For example, our local electricians and plumbers have been phenomenal, swiftly addressing our needs and helping us stay on track. But the key takeaway here is the importance of having a dependable network that you can rely on in times of need.

The Importance of Expertise

A significant reason why I'm confident about this venture is Ben's deep-rooted experience in the hospitality industry. As a professional chef and former cafe operator, Ben brings invaluable industry insights and expertise. For anyone considering a new business endeavor, my advice would be to either acquire substantial knowledge of the field or, better yet, partner with someone who knows the industry inside and out. Ben's culinary skills and industry know-how beautifully complement my background in business growth and scaling.

A Perfect Partnership

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been working with Ben, who offers a fresh set of eyes and a different perspective. His innovative approach continually challenges me to rethink conventional business practices, making our partnership stronger and more dynamic. Dividing the workload based on our unique skill sets has allowed us to be effective and efficient, even within the ambitious timeline of six weeks.

Looking Ahead

As we edge closer to our launch date, I'm filled with anticipation. Our vision is to create a cafe that offers top-quality, locally sourced, seasonal produce. Ben's passion for culinary excellence is evident in every dish he prepares, and the local community is in for a treat. By focusing on sustainability and high-quality ingredients, we aim to make every meal an unforgettable experience.

Your Role in Our Journey

Finally, I want to extend my gratitude to our growing community of supporters. Your engagement, comments, and feedback are incredibly valuable to us. We genuinely aspire to make Cafe at Highgate a community hub, so your suggestions for menu items or any other feedback are always welcome. If there's enough interest and engagement, Ben and I might even make these run-and-chat sessions a regular feature, complete with weekly newsletters and updates.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support means the world to us. Don't forget to subscribe, share, like, and comment on both the Diary of a Runpreneur and Cafe at Highgate social channels.

Stay happy, stay positive, and I'll see you again tomorrow!

Warm regards,

Kevin Brittain