In my previous blog posts, I wrote all about my early years
as a restaurant owner and my financial struggles and desperate measures to try
and make a buck. I told you about how I redefined the restaurant and turned
things around. One of my tactics to
bring in revenue was to do brunch. This proved to be unsuccessful in regards to
bringing in a plethora of new customers but it was a success in a totally
unexpected way.
Brunch brought in two guests who quickly became weekly
regulars. Most Sundays on their walk back from church, “Mr and Mrs. X” would
stop in for brunch. On most Sundays they were the only ones who stopped in for
brunch. They seemed like a very kind couple and were always very upbeat and
positive.
I became close enough with this couple -- or maybe I just so
badly wanted someone to be honest with. When they asked how things were going,
I started openly telling them the truth. Each week they would come back, sit in
an empty dining room and I would give them more details about our financial
struggle.
What happened next was one of the kindest gestures of stupidity
I have ever encountered. Mr. X stopped in one day and told me that he and Mrs.
X were going to give us a loan. He told me to get together a list of the most
pressing debts. He had no idea the journey he was about to embark on and
everyone (I mean everyone) told him he was eFFn’ nuts to even considered
helping us out. It was a total pay it forward move, they knew the immense risk
and, for whatever reason, they had more faith in us than anyone else. They believed
we were a sincere couple who would work hard to get them their money back and
they really wanted help. During a recent
conversation, Mr. X said he was just tired
of hearing my weekly whimpering at his breakfast table. But, I don’t believe
this.
After going back and forth with a list of the most pressing
financial issues and keeping a bunch of skeletons hidden in the closet, he gave
me a check for $35,000 and an interest-only loan agreement. Over the years he
has worked with us when we couldn’t pay the interest payment and even loaned us
additional monies as those skeletons came out of the closet. Like proud parents, Mr. & Mrs. X love
showing off the place to friends and family
Over the last few years we were able to start paying
principle and interest and slowly have reduced the loan. Looking back I feel
this kind gesture was instrumental in my success today. Not because it kept the
lights on, lawsuits at bay and the taxes paid. But also because of the
generosity and trust this couple put in my wife and me and our vision. Failing
was not an option; I could not and would not let these people down. I still
work hard every day, with this loan in mind, and I will forever be indebted to
this couple…long after the principle and interest is paid off.
Do you think Mr. and Mrs. X were crazy? Have you paid it forward or had someone pay it forward for you?
ReplyDeleteDear Chef John. I came across your blog by chance, but I found it amusing, passionate and honest. I own an Italian restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. I think you can only appreciate the hard work involved when you have walked the walk. We have a successful restaurant, but you always feel that you are just one step away from failure. I think it is amazing that this couple invested in you, but to be honest your passion shines through, so I am not surprised. My son and I run the restaurant so it is a family business, but my husband who is an engineer helps out when he can. I must admit he is an unwilling victim and I sometimes wonder why his stays with us. The highs and lows of the restaurant trade is magnified twice over and sometimes we all feel overwhelmed, but it is those special moments that carry us through. The celebrations, the joy we see on peoples faces, the make-ups and break-ups that happen in front of your very eyes. It is really a living soap opera and an addictive mix.
ReplyDeleteGoeordie couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for reading and commenting. ~ Chef John
DeleteChef John, What a heartwarming story. Its a pleasure to read of the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. X extended to you. A refreshing reminder that there are caring people in the world with good souls and positive intentions. I will be eating at your restaurant for the first time Thursday night for dinner and look forward to the experience! Allison
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is pretty incredible - not many people walk around with a mentality to pay it forward.
ReplyDeleteWhen you hear this kind of story you almost expect a happy ending. The sincerity of the slow but coming happy ending is great. Would love to see a follow-up post on this.