No matter how prepared we thought we were before opening, I was surprised and shocked by the realities. I soon discovered that no business plan can cover all the things that can go wrong when you open a shop.
Constantly Putting Out Fires
The majority of the first few months in business is spent putting out fires — especially when it’s your first time. Unexpected challenges quickly piled up:
- Bills from annual council inspections
- Compliance with local food regulations
- Fire safety statements
- Annual pest control
- Staffing problems (which plagued us for years)
- Appliance breakdowns
And that’s just the start.
Wearing Many Hats
Initially, I thought running a cafe meant making coffee, cooking food, chatting with customers, cleaning, and then going home. Instead, I found myself learning a wide range of new skills quickly:
- Watching YouTube videos on electrical safety boards
- Fixing leaking taps
- Posting job ads and interviewing candidates
- Becoming a food safety supervisor, cleaning expert, and manager — often all at once
While this was stressful because I had to learn fast, it also forced me to develop skills I now value beyond the cafe.
Patching up a corroded wall caused by long-term exposure to acidic coffee grinds — all to meet council requirements.
Keeping the Business Moving
Running the cafe felt like driving a train that never stops. My job was to keep it oiled and patched up so it keeps moving forward. If it breaks down, we risk being out of business.
Some nights, I went to bed anxious, worrying the fridge motor might break and leave us nothing to sell the next day. Thankfully, I held onto this quote:
“90% of the things you worry about never actually happen“
I trained myself to focus on what I can control and let go of what I can’t. That mindset saved my sanity in those early days.
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