I Urge You to Read This! (Before Going Into Business)

By Simon O’Brien

"Sorry Daddy won't be home for Christmas" - I told my five year old son on a late afternoon phone call.   "Why Dad?"...,    "Well because I have to stay here and run the Coffee Shop mate" -  I said, fighting back the tears. 

This was my reality, on Christmas Eve of 2014... 

My franchisee (after only 3 months in business) had abandoned the shop and walked out.  Because my name was on the head lease, running away was not an option so I had to go pick up the pieces. 

Rewind 3 weeks - and picture this. 

- I am 38 years old.  I'm hugging my wife and kids goodbye, not knowing when I will see them again and moving 1000's of miles from home to another City.  

I'm practically homeless because Motels start from $300 per night and I still have to pay Rent of $2000 per week.  My phone is constantly ringing.  If it's not the insolvency lawyers trying to get hold of the shops assets.... It's the Shopping Centre Leasing Executives wanting their pound of flesh - in the form of rent.   Oh and to top it off,  the franchisee took the keys and disappeared so I'm  locked out of the shop. 

I find a place to live, boarding with Students.  Hire a Lock Smith, and reopen the shop.  My days are long and lonely.  The one saving grace is I can see the business slowly improving.  Applying the principles that served me so well in the past... I begin to slowly grow  - One customer at a time.  Christmas 2014 comes and goes but stubborn pride and the threat of legal action, keeps me Chipping away. 

Fast forward  to 2021 and I'm using many of the costly trial and error experiences like this to help other start-ups get ahead.  I have built up and on-sold my own national coffee chain.  I consult to Clients across the world and am responsible for millions of dollars worth of deals.  I tell you this because whether you invest with me or not... 

You need to know that a plan exists.  A plan that has been put together, at a great personal and financial cost.  This means you don't have to go down the path of pitfalls and COSTLY trial and error experience... Like David nearly did! 

David - A Retired School Teacher.  He Nearly bought into a Franchise and would have lost all his money for sure.  Probably half a million dollars all told. 

Through our support, he secured an independent business for a fraction of what they were asking.  The outcome for David and so many others has been life changing - in a good way.    

The Situation for those planning now is positive.  We face the prospect of a resurging hospitality industry that’s been decimated by 5 years of government stupidity and poor policy decisions. 

But be warned you don't want to be representing yourself without help... there are sharks in the water.   

Whether you invest with us or not - No hard feelings.  I just plead with you to proceed with caution and don't make the same mistakes I see all too often. 

One of the hardest and proudest periods of my life was getting the Coffee Shop back on its feet.  I made some amazing friends and the Community really rallied to support my great Coffee and Customer Service.  After 3 months, in February of 2015 I was able to put a manger in place and fly home to my family.  

This is what I know to be true in business...  Learning from Experience is expensive.  I don't really know you, but I know the very real obstacles you're facing right now...  You don’t need to do this alone.  

 Simon O'Brien 

Kickstart Coffee Shop