I feel pretty bad about how little I’ve posted over the last couple months. I would say I’ve been really busy, but I think I’ve always been busy. Anyway, I’m going to try to get back into more regular blogging.
First up is an update about the Aizai Cafe. You can go back and check out some of my earlier posts (1) (2) (3) (4) chronicling my adventure in helping to start up a coffee shop in Beijing. It’s been a great experience that I’m very grateful for, but as of January I’ve ended my involvement with Aizai.
I wish my Chinese partner the best in her endeavors, but it became clear that our priorities and ideas about business were not in full alignment, and since the shop was taking a lot of my time and not making much money we decided it was best to part ways. I did not have any financial investment in the shop so it was pretty simple to walk away. Aizai Cafe is still serving some good Rickshaw Roasters coffee, but beyond that the shop owner is probably going to make some changes in terms of menu and food offerings.
I’ve learned a lot from the whole experience. It’s been a real challenge, but I’m fine with how things have worked out. I’m grateful for the opportunity to go through the process of setting up a coffee shop, because I’m pretty sure that someday I’d like to own my own shop. I’ve also learned a lot about the difficulties of partnerships, especially in a cross cultural situation, and I have a much better idea about what is important to me when it comes to running a business. It may seem really selfish, but one thing that is really important to me is that I’m the ultimate decision maker.
I also have a lot of advice to give if there are others looking to start coffee shops or small restaurants in China, and I’m still planning on doing some coffee consulting as well as continue with the Coffee Club.
So that’s the big update. I’m currently working on some projects at BICF that will last through June, then we’re heading back to the States for the summer. I’m starting to try to figure out what I’ll be doing next fall, so stay tuned.
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Matt,
Sorry to hear about the cafe; but FYI, it is not a cultural thing. I have had partnerships here in America with Americans, and while they worked out financially, the partnerships never resulted in an ongoing relationship. Since the partnerships here were an American (me) dealing with another American, it is not surprising that your partnership did not work out.
When I visit Beijing again, I will check out BICF, which seems much easier to get to from downtown Beijing (Chongwenmen) than the Aizai Cafe. Of course, with you coming back to the states in the summer and not knowing the future beyond, I may miss you in Beijing; but at least I can visit the BICF.
Keep up the good work; I find your blog quite informative. I have been receiving email from all over the world, including China about my tax work, and it is disheartening to realize that most Americans are not even filing, even though they are required.
Ric