Fun fact...no, I never dreamed of owning a coffee shop...like ever. The things I am passionate about are fitness, my family & a love for caffeine so that I can survive my athletic endeavors and family, ha. But seriously, I never once thought I would be opening a coffee shop...not in a million years. I have always been a fairly content person. I like simple things...not bougie at all as my kids might say. I've literally never given a shit about the "Jones" or keeping up with them. If I won the lotto tomorrow, I still would have zero interest in belonging to all the "clubs" in my fancy Seacoast town. I don't care or judge if friends of mine do...I myself am just more comfortable in the places where the people go...all the walks of life. I would rather sit on a beach in the sand than go out to the country club in a dress....hang at the local bar with all the locals than go to the latest and greatest....
So why take a huge risk like opening a franchise like this?
Fun fact....I can come across as all business and kind of quiet to those who don't know me well. Once I know you are one of my people...you realize I am one big giant "teddy bear" so to speak, full of inappropriate talk, say what I mean and mean what I say...and if you're one of my people, you know you are because I will do almost anything for my people if they need my help. A blessing & a curse...
My history dictates I will take risks and do things if I am so passionately fighting for someone or something that I believe in. Remember that fight for sports in town?
Thank God I connected with two other amazing, strong & inspiring mothers who felt the same way as me. We took risks because we knew our kids needed us. I can't speak for them but for myself...I pretty much was vilified by a small group or maybe a person (s) or two for speaking up. I don't apologize for fighting for a group (high school athletes) who wanted to play sports with all the other towns who were. My passions & fight didn't come with dreams of success and superficial purposes(same with those 2 amazing humans)...but I digress here and that topic is for another day...
Point being, I feel my strongest, my best and like I'm fulfilling what I am suppose to do in this life when I am doing good for our kids...all our kids.
Most of you know, I have a daughter with an autoimmune disease that has no cure. It affects every minute of every day. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. So what is a Mama Bear to do??? I am not a doctor, research scientist...I literally have nothing to offer to help other than give my measly donation that wouldn't touch our yearly medical expenses let alone help find a cure.
I worry that "they" will never find a cure because frankly her disease is big business in the pharma world. People will lose jobs and companies will close if and when they find a cure. I also worry while we wait for that cure...how will she be able to afford all the expenses once she is off our health insurance. It drives a need to make money...money for a cure, money for all the families who struggle affording the medical costs of this disease, money she might need if they don't find a cure by the time she is off our insurance...
Fun fact...we looked at a lot of franchises....and while Jamey and I both come with a background in fitness...that didn't make any sense even before Covid. By coincidence or fate, Jamey came across an Aroma Joes before they were franchises up near our rental properties in Rochester (the very 1st Aroma Joe's where 4 cousins created a menu, a business, and hope).
So here we are opening a coffee shop/drive through...who's motto is Positively Impacting People. This "new" franchise is all over NH and Maine and now, here Jamey & I are opening the very 1st Aroma Joe's in the North Shore right down the street where I grew up. Literally...3 miles from my childhood neighborhood.
It has had it's challenges and there are many days I feel like giving up, like there's no hope. But I remember my why....and I know if I am going to attempt a hit...I have to step into the batter's box and give it a swing.
Fun fact, I never felt compelled to open a coffee shop/drive through or franchise. But I have always felt compelled to want to help my people in anyway I could....
Maybe, just maybe we knock it out of the park....
"Clear eyes, full heart...can't lose"....
