joan's first post

I guess I should start my first blog post with a little explanation about why The Missing Piece is such an important goal and dream for me. I have spent the past 2 and a bit years working in an office for a very large financial company and it hasn’t been the rewarding career I had envisioned for myself post- university.
I have always wanted to do something that gives back to the community. I am a bit of a hippie in this regard, where I believe everyone should pitch in and give back and this world will be a better place. (Please note I do not smell, dress or look like a hippie) Andrea approached me with her brilliant idea for a cafe that employs at risk and homeless youth and I was immediately intrigued. I have to admit at first I was unsure about going into business with one of my best friends. I loved the idea, and the more I thought about it the more I realized that this vision was what I wanted in life. I got in contact with a friend who had gone into business with HIS best friend a couple years earlier to discuss the pros and cons and seek some advice. (Shout out here to Daniel Demois of the Fox Theatre in the Beaches) After talking to him, and seeing how successful he has been, while still maintaining his close friendship I decided I was IN!
Andrea and I started having regular meetings, took a small business course at George Brown and here we are really starting to get things done, spreading the word and building the most massive “to-do” lists I have ever seen....
Right now we have two major focuses/deadlines. We are going to incorporate by the first week of August and we are planning our fundraiser for August 21st at The Stealth Lounge, at Yonge & Bloor. The fundraiser is a way for us to build up some capital and start a savings account in the name of our corporation that we can continue to build on over the next year. It will also be a way for us to let everyone know about our plans, and show how organized and driven we are towards our end goal. And of course, throw an amazing party where everyone can let their hair down and hopefully come away with some goodies from the silent auction. So far the support has been unbelievable.
I was talking to my mom earlier today about the whole process and how much work is involved. Right now it seems almost insurmountable but I don’t think anything worth having comes without a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Right now I am sitting in my apartment, by myself, on a Friday night working away on research for the business and planning of the fundraiser (unheard of by most who know me) while my girlfriends are out on the town... This is for those of you who have doubts about how serious I am about this! Haha. But seriously, it’s not like I didn’t realize this endeavour would be a mind numbing amount of work. I am thoroughly enjoying it and keeping my eyes on the prize.
We’ve already come so far since we started seriously talking about this in February. Today I went to Enterprise Toronto at City Hall (http://www.enterprisetoronto.com/) and talked to someone there about incorporating and as I was leaving I realized how much I have learned about starting a small business since Andrea and I decided to move forward with our plan. It made me feel better about the progress we are making.
So what’s next on the table? We’d like to have our full business plan completed by October 1st so we can start looking for financing and narrowing down a location. This means a lot of research, networking and building connections in both of our futures. From what I have seen so far there are tons of organizations in Toronto aiming to help at risk youth find employment. I have been volunteering at a great youth shelter in Etobicoke, Youth Without Shelter (http://www.yws.on.ca/) that helps at risk and homeless youth by providing shelter, as well as finding an apartment and stable work. They also support at the youth after they leave the shelter through many different initiatives. There are also organizations that will help us connect with local farmers, and others that supply fair trade coffees and teas. It’s exciting that there are so many other people out there that share the same goals and ideals as us.
Thank YOU for taking the time to read my first blog installment. I am looking forward to see you all on the 21st!