Thai Orchid has been open for nearly 2 months now---whew! Things are smoothing out and getting much easier. The start-up and beginning of anything is always the hardest part. Although we've had a restaurant before, the equipment, the customers, the layout of the store are all different. So it's been a challenge to get everything set in place.
The hours have been very long. In the beginning, we were coming in at 8 am and leaving at 2 am the next day. Now that we have a routine down, I come in around 9:30 am and leave by midnight usually. So a 14-hour day is pretty average right now.
After telling a friend of mine this schedule, she asked, "And this is what you wanted?"---It seems kind of crazy huh? Who would want to work these nutty hours and work this hard? Not many people. But I've never been 'many people'---and at this point, I feel so very lucky and fortunate. I have a great job, I love the people I work with, the bounds of what I can do here are endless, the potential growth is both exciting and challenging, and one of the best perks---the best food in the world, is right at my fingertips. And I sure love to eat!
I may not stay in this business forever--I do want to have a quasi-normal life one day---but I am so thankful to have this experience. To have the world's best chef as my coach (Thanks, MOM!) And to have an opportunity to really go places if I so choose.
The response from our customers has been astounding. They love it all--the cozy atmosphere, the food, the service. We aren't advertising..and I don't think we need do. Word of mouth has kept us busy.
So how are things going...splendidly. Were there times that I questioned what I was doing and wanted to quit...absolutely --- but anything that's worth anything-- takes sweat, tears and sheer hard work. So here I am. The sleep will come later.
