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Small businesses facing tough times

Anupa — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:06:27 +0000

The New Mexico Tea Company in Alburquerque was turned down for a line of credit. He decided to approach his own customers and was rewarded with kindness and financial help he couldn’t have imagined. David Edwards, a co-owner of this company had encouraged his customers to participate in Kiva, the microlending company, never thinking that he may be the one needing help! This amazing story was forwarded to me by two of my colleagues in tea industry this week and it is part of a broader story facing many of us as small business owners.

In our own case, we were turned down for a loan last year when we were expanding our Tea Room. This despite 15 years of history with one bank, profitable numbers and an unvarnished credit and loan history with them. I discovered 2 days ago that a local logistics company with stellar financials had its line of credit abruptly cancelled without notice. Cash flow, or the lack of it, is strangling us. Two weeks ago, I met with the SBA (Small Business Administration) counsellor and was made aware of microlending and grants and funds available to small businesses in the New York area, albeit at slightly higher rates. Concurrently, I re-approached two banks who had previously been unreceptive, and have so far been approved by one and am waiting for a response from the other. No question, these are some of the toughest times ever faced by small businesses. My accountant told me this morning he was dealing with liens, IRS problems and other related issues with his small business clients. One of my customers in California recently filed for bankruptcy. Another in Oregon is up for sale. Some in our own tri-state area are looking to fold. So there you have it. Large companies rig the system, big banks devise risky schemes and small businesses get left out in the cold.

Do we have it good or what…

Anupa — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:53:51 +0000

Have any of you ever had a landlord who provided free ice cream for all their tenants?! Well, we are enjoying that very experience. Imagine our astonishment when our landlord, Mack Cali sent around a circular earlier this week with the subject matter, “Tenant Appreciation Day – Ice Cream Event” announcing the specific times an Ice Cream truck would be at each of their office buildings. Mind you, this is not a small office park. It comprises 23 buildings so it required two trucks which needed to be co-ordinated with military precision! Our building, 150 Clearbrook, was scheduled between 1 to 1.15 pm. Rodney at our office was in severe distress all day because today he is assigned to the Tea Room and would miss all the fun. We assured him we would pick up an Ice cream for him, something in Chocolate, he said. We took a picture to prove this entire story is true because I know some of you will think we are making this up for entertainment on a hot day. My selection was a Krunch Klondike Bar, Gina got a Taco Choco bar and we picked up a Chocolate Lover’s Big Dipper for Rodney. Now, back to work….

World Cup 2010

Anupa — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:05:41 +0000

Today, I am a citizen of the world. For one month, June 11-July 11, the entire globe will be focused on 64 games played by 32 countries spanning every continent. Over a billion people will follow these games. Entire countries will come to a standstill for the knockout rounds leading to the all-important quarterfinals, semis and the Final on July 11. For those in the U.S. who are less used to national teams and more involved with college and professional teams, this year may mark the change. For one thing, the U.S. has a pretty good team, currently ranked 14 in the world. For another, this is a story with poignancy and profound human interest. To put it into perspective, if the Superbowl attracts 100 million viewers, the World Cup attracts over a billion!

Get used to a whole new lingo for the next month – fixture congestion, red cards and slide tackles. Get used to FIFA and Groups. Watch winning strategies that require a chess player’s intelligence and focus. Watch how the premier teams do the least required to get through to the qualifying rounds while others must give it everything they have game by game and can barely afford to strategize ahead (The U.S. is in the latter group!). It is a tournament being played in South Africa and a game that is about as democratic as one can get. It needs little equipment, has no height or weight barriers, barely even requires a pitch. It is all skill. On the continent of Africa, soccer has served as education, motivation, national pride and achievement. Stories abound. Players with championship talent learned on uneven ground with round objects that could hardly even qualify as balls. Names such as Drogba (Ivory Coast), Eto’o (Cameroon) are now part of the football lexicon.

About 3 weeks ago, I got an e-mail from my nephew in Australia that said, “That time again”. And off we went establishing our own Soccer pool. Each of us got 4 picks with points associated to each selection. One change would be allowed after Round 1 but with a 4 point deduction. With 11 members participating, there were suggestions, comments, opinions, challenges, refutations, revisions, rule changes, demands for explanations, clarifications and, finally, a list that closed 12 midnight Australia time on June 10. I started with a gross disadvantage since I scarcely keep up with sports news. But I learned fast. In order to compete among these stalwart competitors already in a fine state of frenzy, I had to exhibit some level of competence, however recently the knowledge had been gained. So here are my selections – Spain, Brazil, Argentina and USA. A little bit safe, a little bit risky. And for all those on the sidelines, perhaps you will catch some of the fever too. Our Tea Room will celebrate tomorrow with two appropriate teas on Special all day long – Nelson’s Gold and Rooibos Crush on You. Bring on the vuvuzelas. Bring on the noise. G-o-o-o-o-a-l!

Full Moon & the Crazies

Anupa — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:47:14 +0000

The crazies were sure out in the past few days. We checked the calendar and there it was – Full Moon on Thursday. First we had a woman who wanted Decaf Chamomile. It didn’t matter how patiently we tried to explain that Chamomile was already without caffeine, no, she wanted Decaf Chamomile. Then someone started drinking the iced tea straight from the pitcher, not the glass – (our iced tea pitcher shown here!). And finally for the pièce de résistance, a guy high on something was trying to hang off the parking meter and lampposts, all the while making lewd body movements. For the last, the police had to be called. Whew! Glad we have a holiday today.

Storm in Westchester

Anupa — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:05:35 +0000

I didn’t realize just how bad the storm was until our customers came in for a hot cup of tea and sustenance over the weekend because they had no power at home. This was true for customers just up the hill in Tarrytown, in Hartsdale, Pelham and Yonkers. Massive trees crashed down on power lines. As I drove to the Tea Room in the afternoon, the devastation was striking – the beautiful reservoir around the lakes in Tarrytown had innumerable trees down, the Saw Mill River Parkway was inaccessible. I had to detour to just get to the Tea Room. One of our employees spent an hour and a half figuring out how to get to work. I hear on the radio it could be days to get all the power back. We will be open all week to offer hot tea and comfort. Wednesday, 17th, Irish Breakfast and Celtic Cup on Special all day long. Bring out the Irish in you. It’s also my Mom’s birthday so it’s a special week.

Friday – another Snow Day

Anupa — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:48:16 +0000

This says it all – trees down, well over a foot of snow…We will be open tomorrow and all weekend long. See you then!

Beautiful…only if you’re inside

Anupa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:28:23 +0000

View out my window…..wonderful until we have to shovel out!

No related posts.

Snow Update – Feb. 25 and 26

Anupa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:09:24 +0000

We did open the Tea Room today but not for long unfortunately. Can’t blame everyone for staying at home – it’s snowing pretty heavily. We just closed, about 1 pm, and we’re fairly sure we will be closed tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 26. See you over the weekend. Stay warm, stay off the roads and enjoy a nice, hot cup of tea.

A Good Cause – Pajama Program

Anupa — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:50:08 +0000

Here’s a fun way to spend an evening and help others. Enjoy “SPA” Night at the Greenwich Water Club at 49 River Road, Cos Cob, CT 06807 on February 23, 2010 from 7.30 pm to 10 pm.

For a donation of $100 per person plus a pair of new pajamas, you can enjoy a wonderful evening of complimentary services and consultations from health, wellness and beauty professionals including massage, facials, organization tips and more. Light healthy snacks will be included and a cash bar will be available. Raffle prizes too! For more information, click here.

Year of the Tiger

Anupa — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:42:20 +0000

Happy Lunar New Year! This is the Year of the Tiger and is celebrated throughout the Far East. China heralded it in with festivities and fireworks. The Tiger is a sign of courage. The Chinese zodiac is a set of 12 repeating cycles with each astrological sign representing a year. In sequence, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. There are numerous myths and legends about how these 12 animals came to be chosen. My favorite story is the one that has Lord Buddha calling all the animal before departing earth and only these 12 animals came and in this order. Believe it or not! Kung Hei Fat Choy everyone!