(photo from beginning of renovations 18 months ago — I am standing in front of the pizza oven — back when it all seemed like it would be easy)

A few months ago I had an employee comment that, “I have no security.” It was a kind conversation, by the way, not adversarial. And, the employee was right – she had no security. But, who does? Obviously some jobs are more certain than others – a union based job in the public service is much safer than being the morning or afternoon jock on an under performing radio station in a competitive market. In the former case you are not completely safe – the government may downsize, for instance. But, your job is not as performance dependent as the latter. Radio is often a case of perform or you’re gone. Show an improvement in the ratings or you’re out the door. Fast. The upshot is that none of us are ever completely secure. We all have worries and uncertainties – job, family, friends, whatever the case me be, your journey is uniquely yours.

People want to feel the comfort of certainty. I do. If I miss anything about my “pre-restaurant days” it is the relative certainty of a paycheck and a job. Now, there are many, many fulfilling aspects of owning The Flying Banzini. It is a delight to see customers enjoying themselves in my joint. A real proud pleasure. But, there is a big burden of uncertainty that I am sure all small business owners share. Will there be customers today? Will sales, this week, be enough to pay the bills? How can I control costs and ensure that everyone gets enough hours to make ends meet in their lives? How can I supply some certainty to my staff?

It is an interesting, challenging, fulfilling, and stressful journey. When I started it I knew that I would spend a lot of brain space on The Flying Banzini. I knew that I would constantly be thinking about it. My assumption what that my uncertainty would be around how to increase sales. However, this is not my primary focus (maybe it should be). My main focus presently is how to control costs. I did not, for instance, anticipate contemplating how to control food costs. These are my uncertainty issues at present. And, they are additionally stressful because they are outside my comfort zone and basic skill set.