Momma Pearl's 2015 Expansion Plan
Donation protected
Just over 10 years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans. Many people lost their homes, livelihoods, and in some cases, even loved ones to the storm. Shortly after the storm, like many others, Robert Brunet (now known as Chef BB) evacuated his family from the city and re-settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Although he and his family were able to establish themselves in the city, the second storm, aka "The Great Recession", resulted again in the loss of his job and home. It was then that Chef BB created his own business called "The House Chef of Colorado Springs"; a private, in-home dinner party service. Since then Chef BB, and his team have served over 1,850 dinners in homes around Southern Colorado.
In 2013, Chef BB saw an opportunity to open his first restaurant in a neighborhood strip mall in central Colorado Springs and he, and his team took on the challenge. Soon after, "Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen" was born and Chef BB was serving popular Cajun dishes to an ever growing crowd of Colorado Springs residents. In fact, Momma Pearl's has seen consistent month-over-month growth every month since we've opened.
Our challenge now is that our little 32 seat restaurant is too small to serve our growing clientele base. Moreover; due to a caveat in our lease (that is currently being re-considered), Momma Pearl's has, up till now, been unable to serve beer and wine with our meals. As any restauranteur will tell you, liquor sales generally account for 30% to 40% of overall sales and also make up a majority of the business's profit margin.
Recently, our landlord approached us with the opportunity to assume a lease on the stall located directly next to Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen. This unit would provide considerably greater operating space and would allow us to add 10 – 12 more guest tables. The landlord also expressed that he’d be willing to allow us to obtain a liquor license to enhance our business with beer and wine sales.
I’ve developed a pro-forma business plan that indicates that, with the new space and added liquor sales, Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen would potentially increase our revenue by two to three times. In order to execute the expansion of the business however, Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen needs to secure between $30,000.00 and $50,000.00 in working capital. We don't expect this to all come from one individual but if you can donate $1.00 or $100.00 or $1,000, it would all help. This funding would facilitate construction, equipment purchases, training, and increased stocking capabilities. Not to mention it would allow us to provide employment for 5 to 10 more people.
I think it's important to note that although I typically work seven days a week and usually put in over 100 hours each week at the restaurant; apart from a small contribution that I make to my family's monthly expenses, I have not taken a paycheck, from this business in the two plus years we've been operating.
You might ask "Why?"; Most assuredly it is not the money that motivates me. Money comes and goes. For me, at this stage in my life, it's about building something where there was nothing and leaving an impression for those around me that will exist long after I'm gone. It's also about teaching my children that although there are winners and losers in this life; the only time we really lose is when we quit.
For those of you who don't know, the actual legal name of our business is "Use What You've Got, LLC". This is not only our name, it is the main message and lesson of our business journey. I started this business with nothing and I used what I had; a few pots & pans, some family recipes, a little computer programming knowledge, and the will to succeed. And, by the grace of God and a few loyal friends, we've been fortunate enough to see our business grow. It is our wish that, with your support, Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen will continue to become the kind of success story that we all know it can be.
This GoFundMe page is just one of the methods we are employing to gain support for our Expansion Plan. We are also seeking conventional financing as well as potential equity partners. If you, or any one you know would like to donate, loan, or invest funding to assist us with this opportunity. Please respond to this funding request. To receive a copy of our 2015 Expansion Plan Pro-forma; please call (719) [phone redacted] or email [email redacted]
Finally, we all know the exponential power of Social Media and the Internet. Even if you are unable to contribute at this time, at the very least, won't you please share this link to all of your friends and contacts so that we can get the word out about our expansion efforts.
There are a few who can do a lot and there are a lot who can do a little. With everyone's help we can all make this happen.
Thank you in advance for your kind consideration and assistance.
Chef BB Brunet
Check out Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen Online
In 2013, Chef BB saw an opportunity to open his first restaurant in a neighborhood strip mall in central Colorado Springs and he, and his team took on the challenge. Soon after, "Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen" was born and Chef BB was serving popular Cajun dishes to an ever growing crowd of Colorado Springs residents. In fact, Momma Pearl's has seen consistent month-over-month growth every month since we've opened.
Our challenge now is that our little 32 seat restaurant is too small to serve our growing clientele base. Moreover; due to a caveat in our lease (that is currently being re-considered), Momma Pearl's has, up till now, been unable to serve beer and wine with our meals. As any restauranteur will tell you, liquor sales generally account for 30% to 40% of overall sales and also make up a majority of the business's profit margin.
Recently, our landlord approached us with the opportunity to assume a lease on the stall located directly next to Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen. This unit would provide considerably greater operating space and would allow us to add 10 – 12 more guest tables. The landlord also expressed that he’d be willing to allow us to obtain a liquor license to enhance our business with beer and wine sales.
I’ve developed a pro-forma business plan that indicates that, with the new space and added liquor sales, Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen would potentially increase our revenue by two to three times. In order to execute the expansion of the business however, Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen needs to secure between $30,000.00 and $50,000.00 in working capital. We don't expect this to all come from one individual but if you can donate $1.00 or $100.00 or $1,000, it would all help. This funding would facilitate construction, equipment purchases, training, and increased stocking capabilities. Not to mention it would allow us to provide employment for 5 to 10 more people.
I think it's important to note that although I typically work seven days a week and usually put in over 100 hours each week at the restaurant; apart from a small contribution that I make to my family's monthly expenses, I have not taken a paycheck, from this business in the two plus years we've been operating.
You might ask "Why?"; Most assuredly it is not the money that motivates me. Money comes and goes. For me, at this stage in my life, it's about building something where there was nothing and leaving an impression for those around me that will exist long after I'm gone. It's also about teaching my children that although there are winners and losers in this life; the only time we really lose is when we quit.
For those of you who don't know, the actual legal name of our business is "Use What You've Got, LLC". This is not only our name, it is the main message and lesson of our business journey. I started this business with nothing and I used what I had; a few pots & pans, some family recipes, a little computer programming knowledge, and the will to succeed. And, by the grace of God and a few loyal friends, we've been fortunate enough to see our business grow. It is our wish that, with your support, Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen will continue to become the kind of success story that we all know it can be.
This GoFundMe page is just one of the methods we are employing to gain support for our Expansion Plan. We are also seeking conventional financing as well as potential equity partners. If you, or any one you know would like to donate, loan, or invest funding to assist us with this opportunity. Please respond to this funding request. To receive a copy of our 2015 Expansion Plan Pro-forma; please call (719) [phone redacted] or email [email redacted]
Finally, we all know the exponential power of Social Media and the Internet. Even if you are unable to contribute at this time, at the very least, won't you please share this link to all of your friends and contacts so that we can get the word out about our expansion efforts.
There are a few who can do a lot and there are a lot who can do a little. With everyone's help we can all make this happen.
Thank you in advance for your kind consideration and assistance.
Chef BB Brunet
Check out Momma Pearl's Cajun Kitchen Online
Organizer
Robert Brunet
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
