NOW OPEN--ALMOST!

If everything goes well, the stars all line up with the universe, my karma is on cue, the Lord is on my side, I don't get sick, a national disaster of unprecedented proportions doesn't happen, or the world as we know it doesn't end--Jamani Java will open this coming week. Yea!

In a conversation with one of our suppliers, I began to share how I felt I had seen so many miraculous events along this journey that if one didn't believe in God before it all started, one would have lots of reasons to believe in God now. Though not a religious person, he concurred. Having managed restaurants he knows the food business inside and out. Now, as a food supplier that sees the backside of many, many restaurants every week, he has seen what works and what doesn't. His comment to me the was something like this, "Compared to 80% of the restaurants I am in every day, Jamani Java is way ahead of the game" (my paraphrase).

We probably are "way ahead of the game" because of the ways in which God has guided us through the thousands of decisions that we have made. From site selection to paint color selection, from equipment to staffing, we have had the tremendous advantage of access to the mind of the One who knows the beginning from the end. That's extremely important seeing how many times I don't know which end is up let alone where to begin!

This is the first of many stores. It has been designed with nationwide growth in mind. Site selection for store number two is slated for June 2009. Within five years, we plan to open three more stores in areas that meet our demographic benchmarks.

For now, its time to pray and unlock the doors on #1. Wish us well. Pray for us. We need it.
NOW OPEN-ALMOST!

Meat Balls

When I was growing up, credit cards were just coming on the scene as an alternative to cash and/or check. Nowadays, cash is about as rare as a Loch Ness sighting and checks are sooooo taboo. Credit cards, debit cards, check cards, gift cards etc. are the way to transact business now. What many consumers don't realize however is that all those credit and debit cards have to have access to the Internet in order to work. Consequently, a business that doesn't have Internet doesn't do as much business as one that does have Internet.

After waiting for more than a month, Jamani Java finally got its Internet connection going which means we are just that much closer to opening for business...we can accept credit cards!! Yee Haw!

According to those who know such things, Jamani Java can expect credit transactions to account for about 60-65% of its business. In the words of the old Ragu spaghetti commercial, "That's allotta meat-a balls-a!"

Associate Manager Hired!

I am so glad that God likes me! As a pastor I really should spend more time in prayer letting God know all of my needs as I understand them. However, I have to confess that I don't pray that much. (Hello. My name is Chuck. I am prayer-challenged.) So God must like me because of the great things that happen in my life. For instance, through a set of circumstances and a well-placed question, Jamani Java came up with an extremely talented Associate Manager. His name is Joe Marino and though I hired him only one week ago, he has already brought Jamani a great deal of organization, information, process development and just plain ol' good ideas. I love it when that kind of thing happens!

Everyone familiar with the Jamani Java website and this blog will eventually get to meet Joe up close. In a few weeks, he is going to put together his own blog that will include videos of himself, the shop and his recent trip to Brazil. How cool is that!

Jamani Java is 99.87564342% ready to open. All we need right now is an internet connection and a little more inventory and we will hang our huge and beautiful NOW OPEN banners. Can't wait.

So watch for updates. We are almost there.