Work Hard, Listen & Learn

Kate & I worked every day in June 2013.  If not at both jobs, at least one or the other.  At one point I counted a streak of 41 days without a full day off from either of our jobs.  

We thought it was the best way to jump into Mad Munch & figure out what the hell we were doing.  And it was a good way to fast track our learning but, working that many hours can burn you out.  

I burned one customer's Cheezer at Golden Hill- it was so black we had to throw it out & refund his money.

But we also picked up some great advice along the way.  A vendor next to us at Golden Hill made smoothies & she often would trade with us.  Her name was Marisol.

"You guys should put your cheese & cold stuff into some kind of bin or cooler," Marisol said one week when she was looking over our back table.  "The health department will write you up for having it out like that."

She also gave some valuable insight into the operation.  

"Usually it takes about five or six years of doing markets before people save up to get a store."  Marisol had learned that from Steve, her boyfriend, who was retired & who came at the end to help her pack up the van.  Apparently, he had opened a few stores from market concepts over the years.

"It may seem like a lot of work, & it is, but you just have to take some time to relax when you can," Marisol said.  "Just go home, put your feet up & watch some TV.  Anything to let your mind wander for awhile."