I'll Get Over this Ranting Phase - A Bakers Editorial
(Editors note)
This blog has turned more into an outlet for
ideas and opinions lately. But, lately, times
are a changing here at the bakery....changing
for the better, but there is always a challenge
to deal with daily.
_______--------________--------_______-------
Being a small business owner has opened my eyes
with clarity about the cross-over from being a
past employee to a present employer.
I admit in my wildest dreams that I wouldn't
have the nerve to open an Artisan Bakery if
it wasn't for my wife/partner to be there with
me. The both of us had the dream and the vision
to do something that we both love to do...bake!
We thought, "yea, we can do it...we love to bake.
I also admit I've had jobs in the past that just
paid the bills and I didn't care much if my employer
benefited from my work...I was just there to collect
a check.
Fast forward 25+ years, after a career of dead
end jobs, got serious with college and a serious
career in video post production, I now find myself
as an employer. Owning an Artisan Bakery in Savannah
that is devoted to the arts and crafts of baking and
doing it from scratch.
Savannah is a beautiful and challenging place
to own a business. My main challenge is finding
people who want to work (hard) at a craft that is
as rewarding as baking.
I've had employees in the past at the bakery, only
to find out they can't step up to the task at hand
or they fizzle out and leave. In my mind, I always
question - what is the problem?
Now being a (newborn) employer, the complexities of
dealing with people on daily business is a challenging
and rewarding task. Customers love what we do and having
to find employees with the same passion and desire to work
for the same cause is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Is it regional, national,or a universal problem....?
Our business is our livelihood and we love to work
hard to put out an excellent product.
It's hard I know to place oneself, as an employee,
in your employers shoes. Daily issues to solve,
the stresses and challenges of everything from clogged
sinks to paying your bills...and oh, yea...putting out
products at the same time to keep your doors open.
I for one never thought about it in the past,
but the present is a new horizon for me everyday.
I am now in my former employers shoes wanting to
be the cool boss, but now having to deal with
finding people willing to help this small business
grow into a bigger and better resource for Savannah.
Am I ranting with no logical conclusion about how
to run a small business, (probably) or is the problem
bigger than I know and I haven't yet figured out....
OR is it just human nature and the complexity that
we all want to solve about out own lives...?
I love our little bakery. Cheryl and I would love
not to have to sleep if we had our choice...we love
knowing that what we do, makes people happy.
We will continue to bake till we can bake no more.
Cheryl and I know that if it's just the two of us
and are able to do it all, we are happy with that.
We do have good people that do work for us, but
we know that people will come and go and a few
will stick around that believe in what we do.
and we appreciate those that do...we believe
in there dreams too.
I am wanting to end this rant with some sort
of wisdom filled comment about the state of
the worker, but come up short.
Let me know if any insight comes your way.
posted by Griffith at 9:51 AM
4 Comments:
Wow! I don't know what the answer is either but this seems to be universal problem. I was brought up to believe you worked hard your money and gave your best but times seems to have changed somewhere down the line. Now it seems to be acceptable to do as little as possible and to be compensated well for it. Best of luck and keep up the hard work it is appreciated.
Some of it is human nature I suppose, but today's society makes it a little easier to get away with. My dad manages 80 people at his job and he always tells me about the lame excuses he gets for people not showing up to work. Some of my favorites are "I got a puppy so I can't come in today" and "I'm emotionally distraught because I got my girlfriend pregnant so I'm not coming in." Ha! Maybe in some cases it's better for them to just not show up! :)
I love to bake. I have an excellent work ethic. I believe in what you're doing - every time I come in your shop I feel like I've been transported back to my great grandmother's kitchen. If my current job doesn't pan out, I'll be over at your place begging you to hire me :) I also am "the employer" now - it's tough, and I feel your pain. Have you ever thought of targeting employees from the retired population? Old fashioned values, strong work ethic, want to stay involved but don't necessarily need the money?? Just a thought...
I feel your pain, Griff. I, too, was a past employee and am now the employer with a 2 year old specialty bakery. I hate the need for employees but I realize it's a necessary evil if you want to expand. It is by far my biggest headache and heartache. Perhaps the most we can do is try to improve our "employer" skills and accept the fact that people will come and go. Hang fast, my friend, as will I and continued good luck in a tricky business. By the way, we LOVE Savannah!
Cathy
goodeatz@comcast.net
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