30 november

Do you see? Everything is about starting a coffee shop. Sort of.

Art is the big yes. Writing is the big yes. The creation of something bold and new is the big yes. This I can get behind. While I may never think of myself as an entrepreneur, a business professional, or anything along those lines, I definitely see myself as a creator.

This, then, will be the creation. No matter how long it lasts or how successful it is, Two Suns Coffee is something I’ll focus energy on pushing out into the universe. I hope it floats, of course, and I hope it’s a place that you enjoy!

29 november

Coffee and Cigarettes is one of those things. I first saw it years before I met C. Really not sure how it first came to my attention, actually. If you haven’t seen it, I’d probably recommend it. Maybe not a success in all crowds, but people I like tend to like it. (This is not a test.)

So it’s a series of black and white shorts that all involve – stay calm – both coffee and cigarettes. It was one of the first films that C and I both put on the list and actually watched, long before we had Two Suns plans, as a result of a discussion on – yes, one more time – both coffee and cigarettes. I have strong opinions on both, in case you were wondering.

There are all kinds of people in this film – famous people, I mean. Tom Waits and Iggy Pop! Bill Murray is there – surprise! Wu Tang Clan is surprised to find him there, too. Aren’t we all lucky? Plus, the kicker – Jack and Meg White! Also Jack’s Tesla coil! I don’t want to spoil it for you, but Jack does most of the talking. Surprise!

Anyway, it’s cool. More the coffee than the cigarettes, of course, but it’s a good opportunity to consider how coffee appears in so many different scenes and with so many different characters. It’s one of those constants that supports, promotes, facilitates, entertains and encourages change. Who knew that watching this experimental-ish styled film would be one more step on the path to the experiment that is Two Suns?

Plus, did I say that it’s in black and white? Right. And that.

28 november

Getting ready for the holidays, we’re preparing to send holiday cards out to our supporters. I just made a list of the people we will definitely be sending to. At this moment, it’s about 12 households. You’re right. That’s not too many. Still, it’s a start. Wait, 13. No, 14. It’s an expanding list. A few more to come before we send, probably, but you get the idea.

This is the part that interests me. How will we go from being a name in a dozen households across the country to a recognizable local phenomenon?

Storytelling is part of it, I think. I’m excited about the story we have already and the story to come. I’m excited to tell the story and to revise our early drafts into more polished efforts. I’m excited to think about other people thinking of us and making us part of their stories. I’m excited about the stories that we’ll help to create for others.

Networking is definitely part of it. I don’t love this. Sure, I like having friends and family, and I appreciate all of their help and support. However, the idea of asking people to support something that’s more or less a pet project to start with… it’s a challenge. I used to have to sell Girl Scout cookies, and that was kind of along the same lines. Still, in that case, my dad would take the order form to work, my mom would do the same, and I could always ask my teachers, too, beyond the awkward walk around the neighborhood knocking on doors. Now, though, the situation is pretty different. I’m not walking around annoying people and asking them for their help. Instead, I’m setting up shop and hoping that people come to me and offer their help. Come one, come all! Tell your friends! Simple enough.

Innovation will be a thing. Is a thing. Being unique is certain – there’s no suns like two suns, like they say. Who says this? Don’t worry about it. The point is, we’ll need to stand out, and preferably in a good way. New ideas. New connections. New ways to attract, impress, and keep our customers. Sure, we can’t intrigue everyone, but we can do our best to keep it fresh for those we’d love to have as customers.