Week 43-Week 45: G6 #biz + #life

We have the extreme pleasure of helping another bakery open up in Seattle.  Cloudy Cafe is owned by Dionne Himmelfarb, a renowned pastry chef.  Her vision is incredible.  It’s simple.  Bring your neighbor.  Creating a space that invites, enchants and satisfies in all areas is what builds community. 

Dionne opened October 15th and is killing it!  We are so glad to be a part of another Founder’s journey.  It is exactly why I started G6 Retail Renovation.  We love supporting Founders visions and implementing their plan successfully. 

I also got to hang with one of my favorite baristas at Hey Bagel. 

Devin was home for his fall break from University of Portland.  I look forward to seeing him when he’s home.  He is always looking forward to working both jobs.  He works at Hey Bagel and Caffe Ladro. 

Then I jetted off to Ohio to visit Portal West Coffee.  

Traveling is getting easier as a homebody.  I don’t love leaving.  But, I also love being able to support Paul in Ohio, and now Katie from Jamtooth Baking Co.  Adding Jamtooth to our Ohio visits is so fun!  Katie is an integral part of Portal West Coffee; she provides their baked goods.  Soon they’ll merge in the same space and I can not wait to see the synergy!  

I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of these two Founders' journey.  Paul and I worked together at Seattle Coffee Works in 2018.  I was the Director of Operations and Paul was their Head Coffee Roaster and Espresso Maintenance Tech.  We both clicked and I quickly became of Paul.  His passion for coffee, hospitality, and people.  At Paul’s core, he cares very much about the team.  

I met Katie October 2024 when I came to do Paul’s first Team Meeting.  We talked a lot about Mission and Vision - it was evident.  Katie was a part of that journey.  She has captivated Portal West Coffee’s customers with her baked goods.  Everyone looks forward to her Jam Bars (so do I!).   She has a rotating menu dictated by what is seasonal.  She supports local farmers and does her best to mesh flavors to maintain unique flavors that wow you every time!  

This last visit we spent a lot of time thinking through Portal West Coffee’s expansion into ecommerce and into a larger space.  This vision allows Katie to also join in and bake out of the shop.  We also hooked Katie into the G6 Retail Renovation Fam.  She is now officially a monthly client!  We love supporting her small biz and hope to grow Jamtooth Baking Co! 

Next stop…DC.  I come for two reasons.  One is a I teach a small biz class for the small business owners of the Union Market.  Union Market is a blend of small businesses in the area.  They have two food halls and I teach in one of them to support and answer any questions.  The goal is to stay connected and continue to build relationships with the rotating vendors.  

I didn’t want to limit our business to always be one set price or package for a small business.  The vision was always to support small businesses.  However I could; no matter where they are in their journey.  If that means they need to chat it out for 2 hours once a month, or help with their financials, or hiring/recruiting or support building a website - whatever it is I want to be there.  I think having an a la carte approach is what makes this business special.  It also gives the Founder flexibility on a budget.  

Reason #2.  I have a baby living in Maryland.  I get to hang with her and see my best friends who also live in DC.  Double whammy to see my loved ones and spend some one on one time.  It’s just enough time to give Isabelle a good meal and stock her house.  

Costco is always on the list of things to do while I’m in town.  She’s always well prepared and organized so I don’t mind doing a chaotic Costco cart with her.  

Week 44 came with a car accident the day before Halloween.  So fun.  Nothing major except dealing with car insurance and rental cars.  

I forgot it was Halloween the next day so when I was coming home from work.  I stopped at Dick’s and the line was insane.  

H (with her little ghost buns) and I worked and celebrated Halloween eating a burger and fries.  

Week 45 - was Christmas?  I immediately walk into Anthropologie for a return and it’s Christmas!  Okay, I’ll take it.  It brought a little joy to the afternoon.