I remember growing up and always hearing "you cant know where you are going if you don't know where you have been". Now I have no clue who said it first but it has kind of been a motto for me and the business. I think it is important for all of us to make ourselves better in our work and in our life. So in 2010 I set out some goals that I wanted to accomplish and looking back I am happy with all the mistakes, successes and what I learned from them.
I am very proud of the growth that Artisanal Palate saw this year and bringing my passion to thousands of people with my food. My biggest goal was to get a satellite with a winery and that was completed with Konzelmann. The patio was the most successful the winery has ever seen and was actually 40% locals every weekend which made me very happy. To have locals come out every week is very satisfying, especially when they join the Winemaker Dinner that I do with Eric Pearson and Herbert Konzelmann. Sometimes I would see the same people 3 times a week!
The website was a nightmare this year putting its completion in the wrong hands until meeting Ricardo Macrae who has fixed the back ground issues that I was having. I learned that I need to be on top of things a lot more and cut ties earlier with those not doing work to my standards. I am so happy with the website now and all the work that went into getting it up and the continued work to bring you the best of Artisanal Palate and the great region of Niagara.
The biggest lesson that I learned this year was to follow up. I met so many great people this year that have helped as mentors through the St.Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce and the Niagara Business Group. Sales have been my weakest point and it has been talking with these experienced business men and women that will make the difference for year 3.
I have learned how to spend my money smarter and stretch it farther than I was ever able to before. I still made a lot of mistakes and one massive one that lost me $3000. I figure that I learned from that mistake and hopefully others can learn from mistakes that I have made. The moral of that story is really really educate yourself on the businesses you give your money to. This business was not one that I should of....it happens.
So after 20 months and the 2nd January of this business's young life I see a lot of positives. I am working hard on establishing more contracts and developing great dinner series. The Passion Experiments will start February 11th and things are being worked out for a Winemaker and Farmer Series. I know looking back it has been a tough 2010 where money was short and it took a lot of work to grow even an inch. With all that hard work now bringing a smile to all my clients and new ones every month I am looking forward to 2011.
With so many great things ahead I hope that you all can grow whether in business or personally. Keep checking in at NiagaraCatering.ca and remember that if you have any food needs or questions, I am available. I am hear to help you as much as run a busniess, so from me to you ....I hope you to can top your best in 2011.
Slainte my friends in apron
