Stay Humble
I was raised with the belief that asking for help is a weakness. My youth involved living with “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” grandparents, and a single mother with no support from my father. I’m grateful for this; I was taught to be resilient and to work hard, I’m ashamed of neither lesson. But, recent events have humbled me and shown me that no one can completely navigate this world alone.
Entrepreneurs, before you open your dream business, I beg you to be honest with yourself. Be cutthroat. Ask yourself what are your strengths? Your weaknesses? Make sure you have a plan to make up for the areas you lack in, and then become just knowledgeable enough to oversee those you trust.
I knew financials weren’t my strength. Like any responsible business owner, I relied on a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to manage our financials, ensure our taxes were filed correctly, and keep our books in order. Unfortunately, I was not responsible in oversight. As a result, it has recently been discovered that several mistakes were made which resulted in unexpected penalties, back taxes, and cash flow issues that I never anticipated.
Running a small coffee shop is a labor of love. It’s about creating a space where people can gather, connect, and enjoy a great cup of coffee. This business has been more than just a source of income—it’s a dream the whole community has poured their hearts into. Unfortunately, the errors made have put a wrench in that dream. As many of you know, we intend to expand, we recently renovated and have added new merchandise. The last two would not have occurred if we’d known the extreme financial burden looming over us.
I am humbled daily by your kindness. Learning that I let Calamity’s down has humbled me in a whole different way. It is time to go against the lesson I was taught as a child, and ask for help.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
Visit Us and Spread the Word: If you’re local, stopping by for your favorite coffee or pastry helps more than you know. Share our story with friends and family, and encourage them to visit.
Fundraiser: We’re setting up a fundraising campaign to cover the unexpected expenses caused by these financial errors. Even the smallest contribution can make a big impact. For a $5+ donation, you can put your handprint on our wall (in acrylic paint) and be a permanent part of Calamity’s story. $500+ and your handprint will join our staff’s on the new espresso counter.
Potential Partnership: If you’re an expert in business, there is the prospect of a partnership. Please email me (Jordan) at contact@calamityscoffee.com if you would like to discuss further. Please note, decisions on this endeavor will not made lightly and will involve candid conversations before moving forward.
Your contributions will help us in numerous ways:
Pay off back taxes
Hire additional management (more to come on this)
Prepare for our goal of expanding
Help us continue to Fuel Dreams One Cup at a Time—we will continue to support local organizations with gift baskets and sponsorships. This is our mission and we will not stop supporting the community that keeps our doors open.
Some of the original staff at Calamity’s—we had quite a reunion!
Perhaps the biggest lesson that was passed along to me was to never give up. Despite the setbacks, I genuinely believe Calamity’s is intended to be a lifelong staple in Oak Ridge. I have watched complete strangers become the best of friends, seen families make amends, and watched my staff help folks through tough times. I created a space for everyone, but the staff and this community has made Calamity’s so much greater than I could have ever anticipated.
We have big dreams for the future and will continue to prove that small businesses can persevere while maintaining a community focused approach. Many a dreamer has come to my shop asking for advice. Over the next few months, I’m going to share the kernels that have shaped the shop. In the meantime, I apologize to you and my staff for learning this particular lesson the hard way.