How I ended up closing a year-long deal that was more beneficial than money.
I have a monthly business that doesn’t generate income, but look at what it does for me:
Before I tell you the story, I’m still thinking about whether everything went well because of what I said or because of the genuineness of my conversation and my desire to help.
Who knows, I’ll reflect more on this later, but here’s the story…
It turns out I was at this beautiful café called Arthur’s 1795, located in a very nice area where I live (Upstate NY). It was Sunday, I had just finished a 15K run that I usually do with my dad every year, and we ended up having coffee there. I went because I wanted to show my dad the place and I know he appreciates good coffee as much as I do. But of all the times I’ve been there, it was the first time I felt a more or less hostile atmosphere, or, to put it less harshly, it was an uncomfortable atmosphere to be in.
The thing was, after the race, many people opted for the same option, and from experience, I can say that they weren’t expecting anything like this.
I told my dad that it was worth it for us to eat a famous sandwich that they make their own bread for, with super thick black forest ham, brie cheese, and honey with arugula.
I’m not selling anything, it’s just my favorite.
Okay, we were there, and after an hour it was already 11 am and people started to leave and the cafe slowly started to “breathe again”. The atmosphere wasn’t chaotic, but the employees and the manager were still frustrated.
Immediately my brain switched and went behind the counter as always, and I imagined that the frustration was due to what they had experienced and now the mess that had to be cleaned up and everything that had to be done because the day was just beginning.
I thought about it for a while and then “turned the page”.
After a while, the manager, calm, passed by where I was sitting and asked us how everything was. I replied politely that it was excellent as always, and with a face of discomfort but relief at the same time, she replied: “Thank you very much for your words, you made my day with that.” I told her I was surprised because I thought she always received that kind of praise… And she told me that they usually operate very well and it’s true, but many times it gets out of hand and today was one of those days.
I noticed the empty restaurant and introduced myself, and told her what I did and that I was interested in learning about her culture, without any kind of business involved.
I told her I would love to know what a day is like here, and how whenever I come they are happy.
She told me with a charming smile that she was the fourth generation and now she was the owner of the cafe, that it used to be a small supermarket and they used to give away coffee to do their shopping.
But little by little time passed and the business went from being the main supermarket and a “coffee if you want” to a cafe, pastry shop, local product store, and if you’re interested in buying organic and supporting the community. – The concept is incredible.
But she told me that she had never had a hiring system, nor any kind of core values or anything like that…
I told her: “It would be a pleasure for me to come for a week, talk for an hour with you and create your values and the foundations of your cafe and you alone will see that you are going to have a business of another scale.”
She told me that she didn’t have a budget for that right now, not knowing the price.
And I told her: “I don’t charge you anything, but I love coffee and your place too. Give me a bag of coffee every month for a year and my flat white when I come to pick it up and we have a formal agreement.” She laughed, not knowing if I was serious and I told her that this was my passion besides writing and she told me that of course.
The deal was made and here I am writing to you with my freshly ground, fresh and perfect coffee from Arthur’s 1975.
By the way, if you live in Albany NY, I recommend the cafe, it’s simply incredible and beautiful.
Thank you.