Riding The Waves

I grew up body surfing the waves of Southern California. For whatever wild reason, my friends and I had so much fun letting the cresting waves suck us back, up and over the falls, where we would slam into the shallow water below. We’d stand up sputtering, wiping hair and sand away from our faces as we gleefully ran out to do it again. This was not the typical intent of wave riding. In actuality, the goal was to catch the face of the wave as it pushed you towards the shore gliding gracefully and rapidly over the water.

As I sat at the table with my kids last week this image, long forgotten, emerged. Running a business during usual times can often be compared to the ocean - often smooth, with some highs and lows, and a few rages of ragged waves knocking a bit of uncertainty into the day, week and year. However, running a business during this pandemic is akin to being slammed over and over again into the sand. Only this time it’s not my choice nor for fun.

Just as we began to get our footing and return to older ways of thinking, plotting and planning, the world had another idea for us. So, we pulled back, and eliminated a few of the variables to allow those of the team who were able to carry on, and those of us who could not, to rest.

At the risk of sounding *too dramatic* some days it is hard to imagine carrying on. How many times can we shift and change and make decisions that are well beyond anything we have been trained for, or even thought we would ever encounter. It is the combination of the strength of our team and the support that we receive from each and every one of you that continues to fill us up, and motivates us to continue on. My heart warmed and I may have shed a tear or two this week as I read each of your notes in response to last week's newsletter about our having to shut down internet preorders, which have become the backbone of the business.

We are still short staffed and just coming up for air, so unfortunately we still will not yet be able to accommodate internet preorders this week. Thank you for showing up last weekend and supporting us at our retail counter. And for all your notes, emails, messages and positive feedback posts. We appreciate each and every one of you and hope you will come back to the bakery this weekend. We will have the window filled with delicious sweet and savory treats we are baking for you, including some additional choices this week.

I will be back in the bakery this week and I look forward to seeing you again.

Warmly,

Kim and The Bakeshop Team