This email went out to my friends today…
Hey Everyone,
I am writing to report to you that after four great, adventurous, and educational years the “Burrito Project” has come to fruition—however, not as I had originally planned. Although I will be able to check this endeavor off the list, the restaurant will only open for one day, June 8th, from early evening until dark. A swan song if you will. This is going to be a verbose email so for those of you that can’t make it through long emails consider yourself invited. Please email me to RSVP, the burritos will be free. If you are able I ask you make a donation to the Rocket Kidz Foundation if you come – not required however.
For those of you that don’t already know, the short version of the story is the location that was picked in Manhattan Beach had unforeseen building issues that were not easily recognizable. Commercial leases differ from residential leases. Unlike a residential lease where the landlord takes the brunt of the responsibility for a property’s upkeep, in a commercial lease you basically assume temporary ownership of the property. Of course there are warranties implied by the person leasing the property but I am not going to bore you with the details.
What I will do is share a Quick story with you (pun intended). One night a few weeks back I confided my dilemma with the President of Citrine Bistros, Eric Quick, a friend from Chico State. After a long conversation Eric said, “Look Mike, the fact is you could get this done and up and running for the sake of your ego, but I want you to answer one question. At the end of the day, do you consider yourself a restaurateur or an entrepreneur? I think I already know the answer, and if I do, then the entrepreneur in you is going to realize this doesn’t pencil and you should comprehend and accept your sunk costs and move on to fight another day.” Those weren’t his exact words but that was the gist of it. Since I am a guy that finds it hard to be humbled it was a devastating blow, but he was right.
A lot of you that have more intimate knowledge of what has happened have generously come up to me to offer your condolences and are surprised when I seem to be optimistic. The situation could be better but it is also temporary and with the exception of about five percent, I have accomplished everything I wanted to do. I got to negotiate the acquisition of a business, I got to work in a great little burrito shop in Baton Rouge, I got to develop my own concept while still paying homage to my mentor (Pat Fellows), oh yeah and somehow I went from 245lbs to completing two Ironmans. In short, I have cemented my academic knowledge of entrepreneurship with real world trials and tribulations and had a blast in the process, so don’t worry about me. In jest my father has told me that the mere fact I have a blog proves I am a narcissist. So let me deviate from my normal autobiography correspondence and use the rest of this email to say thanks to a lot of deserving people.
First off, to all the people that sponsored my Ironman: Matthew Szymczyk, my parents, Monika Okker, Raymond Tam, Laura Li, David Oliver, Ron Rasing, Eric Jun, Justin Jessee, my brother, Anne and Matthew Stratman, Nathan Burroughs, Georgette Ganter, Darren Pujalet, David Harlick, Al DelFavero, Luke Aguilar, Stephen LaBonge, Rich Gray, Louis Grivetti, Scott Vu, Matt Shaw, Jane Sneed, Mike Trovato, Billy and Stacey Groff, Monico and Ani Casillas, Paul Zepezauer, Jeremy Carver, David Otterson, Claire Bloomberg, Berto Feliciano, Greg and Kent Wood, Darryl Booher, Dan Holden, Roger Turpin, Olav Sorenson, Kristin Rolla, Zulfiquar Taj, Paul Huff, Kevin Myers, Lisa Welch, Salvatore Provenza, Brian Stevens, Bill Crookston, Ryan Reznichek, Tammy Gillette, and John Zutaut. Thanks for providing me with the inspiration to complete that goal. If it wasn’t for not wanting to let you guys down there is a good chance I would have given up on the bike in New Zealand.
Second, to my wife Anna, Micah and Kirsten, my brother and parents—thanks for traveling all the way to New Zealand and seeing me through that stage of my journey. Micah, we talked about the Ironman since we were in our teens and we pulled it off!
Third, Szymczyk, my friend and mentor, thanks for always being there and supporting my new endeavor. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it was not for Zugara, what else can I say about that?
Fourth, to my team, many of you aided my journey for free and I welcome the chance to return the favor: Janet Lowder (restaurant consultant), Jill Bigelow (restaurant consultant), Gabe Morales (master chef), Anne Stratman (lawyer), Mike White (lawyer) Don Russell (accountant), Arthur Kessler (business broker), Bill Crookston (professor and mentor), Eduardo Fernadez (building consultant) and Jay Simmonds (signage).
Fifth, to all of the ancillary help I received my appreciation goes out to Jeff Atkinson, Roger Barr, Elinor and Graeme Staddon, Steve Gautreau and Claire Browse for their efforts in getting me ready for the Ironman. Thom Collins, Kristian Karlsson and Keith Evans thanks for helping me develop my marketing material on the cheap. To Shawn Pander thanks for playing at my launch party and being such a good friend. I am sure I have forgotten some people so please forgive me if I have missed acknowledging your efforts.
Lastly, Patrick Fellows, thanks for honoring my dream. I don’t even know where to begin. I believe life is in the process of paying back all the good karma you have saved up. For those of you that do not know, without even really knowing who I was, Pat took me under his wing and taught me the business the best he could in the short time we had together. In the process we have become good friends and Pat will be helping me on June 8th. He has a foundation to help stop childhood obesity and that is what you will be donating to that night if you so desire.
In the words of author Spencer Johnson, “my cheese has moved.” If I can pass on one thing I learned from this project, it is follow your dream but allow it the room it needs to fully present itself. I did and it has been remarkable – minimal regrets – but now the “project” is almost complete and it is time to move on. Thanks again to everyone. If there is anything I can do to help you in your journey I will be there.
Warm regards,
Michael
