Because all of our ingredients are all-natural and most everything is organic, we can't just run to a local grocery store for an easy purchase. The process typically requires a whole day of darting from one farmer's market to another, in and out of various natural food stores (which of course must be at least 10-15 miles apart from one another), and, if we are fortunate enough to find some ingredients in one store, never does the same store have ALL ingredients, which in turn means a stop back home to drop off the purchased goods so that they don't sit in the car with our sweltering 107-108 degree days (yes, it's been utterly scorching this past several days, with no end in sight). Yesterday, though, we scored on our organic blueberries! We were like a couple who had just hit the lotto when we went in to Plow Boys and found not only a few packages, but a few flats. We stacked them up, and held on to them for dear life, not letting any other customers even get a peak! We ran to the cashier with such pride! "Woohoooo", we screeched! We found a great deal on some awesome blueberries. The simplest of things excite us these days!
Today, on the other hand, was the first time since the conception of the Barkery was hatched that we hit the proverbial BRICK WALL! It's now 11:30 pm and this is the first time ALL day that we have stopped working. We put in over 14 hours today on our first all-day baking trial run, and are exhausted. But beyond the weary legs are two dreamers that are somewhat silent. (For those of you who know me well, no smart comments!!) Just minutes ago we calculated that if we were to sell the product we made and prepped for shipping this day, we would have made less than what I currently make in two hours. Our hearts sunk. Neither of us expected this to be easy, and have repeatedly said that if it takes us 16-18 hours a day, we'll do whatever we need to to make this business fly. It's just that we need to find a way to produce our product faster without compromising quality. No matter what, we will never compromise or short-change the product or our word.
I know we'll find a way - we're just tired. Anyhow, we'll be shipping out the final packages to each of our "staff" tomorrow am, so be sure to tell them to watch for the mailman later this week.
To our east coast family.....how about sending us some rain and cooler temps????
Some of the boxes of treats we'll be sending out tomorrow
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3 comments:
You two are doing great and it will go quicker once you get a routine and do it a few times.
Just keep thinking of the day you can no longer do this out of your house and you are looking for a storefront and hired help.
Keep up the good work
Kitty
Hey! Hang in there, maybe you can talk to the owner of one of those natural stores and set up a deal so they can order and keep on hand the ingredients you will need to make your treats - they may offer a cheaper price to you and they may even want to carry the treats in their store. Worth a shot and less travel time and money for you guys!
They look great- keep on trucking!!
XOXO
Meow
You made your first REAL batch of product! How incredible is that!...sure it was long and still kind of wobbly but you have come to the point of actually being IN business! Celebrate that major accomplishment, that you have made the dream REAL. Save planning and production line planning for when you are rested and clear-headed--now get some rest and spend some time with the kids...get out of the kitchen. Recharge. You are both amazing.
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