Justin Pogge of Sweet Pea Cafe

         

    Café owner and vegan chef extraordinaire, Justin Pogge is someone I met early on when I moved to Tallahassee. Being new to the city I tried to attend as many community gatherings as possible and let me tell you, I don’t think there was one local event where I didn’t see Justin’s smiling face. I knew he was a mechanic at Krank It Up, a volunteer based community bike shop located at Railroad Square that provides tools and parts to cyclists in return for a small donation and where Justin offers his expertise every Friday night to mechanically challenged commuters such as myself. I also knew he sat on the Board of Directors at Bread and Roses Food Cooperative, a community run grocery. Through small talk I learned that that since graduating from culinary school in 2001 he has been supporting himself by building custom bicycle frames under the moniker Old Field Cycles (the literal translation of the Muskogean word Tallahassee) and that he was in the process of opening his own café.

             

         I was a little nervous about the interview but when I walked into Sweet Pea, which opened in April, I immediately felt right at home. The café, located on W.  Tharpe, has an atmosphere reminiscent of 1950’s diners and the chalkboard menu and quirky art only adds to the charm. When I walked in Justin immediately greeted me himself and after he was finished serving the last of the lunch rush he led me to a table in the corner where I had a chance to pick his brain about the café, Tallahassee, and small businesses in general.

Me: What inspired you to open your own business? Was it something you always dreamed of or did you just fall into it?

Justin: I went to culinary school in New York and the idea of opening my own place was always in the back of my head. This place just kinda fell into my lap when my partner Rachel asked me if I wanted to do it.

Me: Can you tell me about Old Fields Cycles and why you chose to open a café instead of pursing building bikes.

Justin: Old Fields was nothing official. It was just the name I gave my bikes that I welded in my garage and sold to friends mostly. It brought in some money, but you know I went to school for culinary I had a desire to put that to use.

Me: So you have obviously been your own boss for a long time even though you are so young. What are the pros and cons of this?

Vegan Sausage Breakfast

Justin: I am able to make final decisions and have the final say. On one hand its awesome, the sky is the limit, but there is a lot of stress and you are always working.

Me: Why do you think locally owned businesses are important to the community?

Justin: While you have heard it all before. It keeps money in the community and provides jobs, but it also provides the diversity and that chains don’t.



Me: Do you think locally owned business are more affected by the downturns in the economy than chains?

Justin: In a lot of ways they are more affected. Small businesses aren't subsidized. It takes much longer for chains to feel the affects of a depression.

Me: In Tampa, where I am from, there are next to no local business. Do you think Tallahasssee is an exceptionally good place to open a small business compared to other cities?

Vegan Omelet w/ spinach, onions, and mushrooms.

Justin: Yes. There are so many organizations dedicated to local businesses and it helps that it is a college town. The government could do better though.

Me: You don’t think the local government is doing a good job supporting local businesses?

Justin: Not as much as they could be. Not like some bigger cities. They could do better especially as far as infrastructure goes. They are just doing more for to bring the chains here than to support the local businesses.

Roasted Peso Veggie Sandwich

Me: You said the infrastructure is not good. How did you go about picking this location?

Justin: It was just the best option. Finding restaurant space is Tallahassee is really difficult. This was already a café so it was easier and the price was right.

Me: There are obviously a lot of local businesses in Tallahassee and a lot of people who are dedicated to supporting them. Do you think that is a fad in Tallahassee or do you think it is here to stay?

Justin: I don’t think it’s a fad; it is more of the atmosphere. Tallahassee grew slower than a lot of cities in Florida so business had time to grow stronger. It is not just suburban sprawl like Tampa or Orlando.

Me: I know you are involved at Krank It Up and Bread and Roses, but can you tell me more about the roll you play with these organizations.

Justin: I am on the board of directors at Bread and Roses and Krank It Up; that basically means I go to all the group meetings and put in my say about the direction of the store.  And as you know I am a mechanic at Krank It Up and I work the desk at Bread and Roses once a week too.

Me: Do you think it is common for local business owners to become so involved in the community?

Justin: Oh, definitely. I was involved in the community before I was a business owner but it works both ways. You realize how important the community is and you want to support other people who are doing the same thing. Only the tofu comes from out of state, all the veggies come from Full Earth Farm in Quincy. The community kinda gets ingrained in you.

        The local business community in Tallahassee was something I was already very aware and supportive of. I work on a local farm, I frequent the local hangouts such as Black Dog and All Saints Café and I try to buy locally whenever possible, but this project shed light on the behind the scenes happenings that I never really thought much of.

          After my research and my interview with Justin I feel more able to commiserate with local business owners and my admiration and respect for them has certainly grown. When I asked Justin whether or not he felt small businesses were affected more drastically during economic downturns than chains he hesitated and chose his words carefully. I could tell this was something he had thought about a lot, yet he still chose to open up his restaurant during these hard times because it was something he believed in.

          I admire anyone who truly believes in something and I think you can tell a lot about a person by the things they pride themselves in. I could certainly hear the pride in Justin’s voice when he explained to me that all of the produce used at Sweet Pea comes fresh from local farms. Yet when I asked him to elaborate more about Old Field Cycles he down played it deeming it “just the bikes I welded in my garage” even though I personally know his hand built frames have made quite a name for themselves in the south east. Justin is a man that prides himself in how he serves that community not his own personal feats.

          I also accompanied Tyler to interview Joe of Joe’s Bike Shop. Joe and Justin are interesting to compare. Justin is young, only 30 years old, and just starting his journey in small business ownership. He is still optimistic and trying to carve his niche in Tallahassee. Joe on the other hand owns a well-established shop that has been here for twenty six years and the best adjective to describe him would be “gruff” When asked about the downside of owning your own business he simply answered “Your always f***ing working!” But his act didn’t fool me, it was obvious he loved his business and I knew him and Justin had a lot more in common than meets the eye. Both men had a certain air about them while in their own shops. Joe didn’t stop tinkering with bikes the whole interview. He removed cranks, adjusted brakes, and fixed flat tires while answering all of Tyler’s questions. Justin was much the same. I watched him sauté fresh vegetables, throw them on the plate, discard the scraps in the compost bin and quickly wash down the counter before I even had time to explain the purpose of my interview. Both men seemed so self-assured with their work and at ease in their shops it would be hard to imagine them doing anything else. It’s obvious that these two businessmen are intent on staying and working in Tallahassee and I believe the same goes for most local entrepreneurs in the area. Local business is here to stay.

Sweat Pea Café is located at 832 W. Tharpe St. Tallahassee, Fl. They are open from 12 to 7 on the weekdays and from 12 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. I highly recommend the  the Tempeh Rueben and the homemade cucumber lemonade is a must have.

The Market District: My Kids A La Mode and My Favorite Things

I had the pleasure of interviewing two local business owners. Two neighboring store owners, Gaelle Glass, owner of My Kids A La Mode, and Lauren Teal, owner of My Favorite Things share the same location in the Market District in Tallahassee; therefore; they share some of the same difficulties as well as benefits as local owners struggling to stay afloat. Gaelle and Lauren are presented with several obstacles in owning a business, such as creating your own work schedule, advertising efficiently by promoting and becoming actively involved in associations and groups that do so. Through these interviews, we can reveal what keeps them going and how they became interested in becoming a small business owner to start with.  As Gaelle Glass recently moved across seas to Milan, the difficulties of owning a local store from afar will also be confronted and revealed.  Lauren Teal, on the other hand, recently moved locations to the Market District, thus is encountering daily complications of rebuilding her clientele in her new location.  I will answer such proposed questions as to whether owning a small business is an oncoming trend here in Tallahassee and what role these local businesses play in our community.

                                             Owner Gaelle Glass and children

July 28, 2011 11:00 AM

I, Shelby Meaders, interviewed Lauren Teal of My Favorite Things to get a bit of insight on what it is like to be a business owner here in Tallahassee.  My Favorite Things is a gift store specializing in wedding gifts, invitations, and glassware.

Shelby Meaders: How did you become interested in operating your own business?

Lauren Teal: My Favorite Things was actually originally a family owned business, which I bought from my Mother-in-law.

Shelby Meaders: Did you always wish to own your own store?

Lauren Teal: I kind of just came across this opportunity as it was family run; however I was interested in owning my own store as I graduated with a degree in interior design.

Shelby Meaders: What aspects do you particularly like of owning your own business?

Lauren Teal: I enjoy working for myself, despite the difficulties of managing my own time efficiently. I work in the store every day. As owner, I often do not get a break from the store. I have to work diligently to get paid each week, unlike others who have a set pay check each and every week.

Shelby Meaders: As you mentioned, you face difficulties managing your own time. What other aspects do you find challenging as owner?

Lauren Teal: You know making your own schedule is difficult. I work over 40 hours every week. My success as a business owner is my own responsibility.

Shelby Meaders: How does your location affect your business?

Lauren Teal: We chose to move MFT to the Market District as it is a growing residential area where several of the stores here are locally owned. We were previously located on Betton Place for 16 years (under my Mother-in-law’s ownership), but as the area started to dull down, we found that this particular area is growing. We have been in our location for just under a year, so we are still reaching out to the community to further promote our store.

Shelby Meaders: How do you promote your business as well as other local businesses? Are you involved in any groups or associations that to so?

Lauren Teal: Along with the other local businesses in this district, I am actively involved in the Market District that promotes our local stores by having annual sidewalk sales and farmer’s markets each week. I am also involved with the 3/50 Project. Tallahassee promotes all of our local businesses online through their website locallyownedtallahasse.com, as well.

I also interviewed Gaelle Glass through Skype on the same date as the previous interview. Gaelle Glass is the owner of My Kids A La Mode who is currently residing in Milan, Italy.  I spoke to Gaelle about the difficulties of owning a business from the opposite side of the world and how she feels owning a local business helps boost our community and economy as a whole, in Tallahassee.

Shelby Meaders: What made you decide to start your own clothing boutique in Tallahassee?

Gaelle Glass:  I found it challenging to find trendy clothing for my two children without purchasing them online. By starting my clothing store, I was able to choose brands that are unique, yet trendy. As you know, we offer stylish clothing made in France, Peru, and other international countries, as well as clothing made from organic cotton and bamboo! I started this store because I knew I was not the only one suffering. Other residents here in Tallahassee wanted fashionable clothing for their kids, where you did not have to travel to find such clothing. Tallahassee needed a local store that specialized in brands that were not found right around the corner.

Shelby Meaders: How does your location in Tallahassee affect your business?

Gaelle Glass: Location is key for owning your own business. The Market District is located off Thomasville Road, which is a growing area in Tallahassee for local businesses. With neighboring businesses that are also locally owned, we support each other. I carefully chose this location on Market Street. The Market District works together to promote buying local products through sidewalk sales and other events. Several stores in this district are also actively involved in the 3/50 Project.

Shelby Meaders: What did you find difficult about owning your own business as you resided in Tallahassee?

Gaelle Glass: Well as you know, my two kids are getting older so it’s difficult to not only work in the store for 40+ hours each week, but to also be there with my children as they are at a point in their life where they are about to start school. I have to balance both being a business owner and a mother of two. I often find it extremely difficult to balance both efficiently. I have to give up some aspects of each job to fulfill my duties as owner and mother.

Shelby Meaders: Now that you reside in Italy, how does that affect My Kids A La Mode?

Gaelle Glass: It’s hard to manage the store from over here in a sense that I cannot personally interact with customers. That is a huge priority with small business owners- customer satisfaction. I can’t be there to ensure that every customer is satisfied. It is something that positively promotes our business, so without me being there over 40 hours each week, I can’t personally communicate with every person walking in and out of the store. It is quite different to manage the store through Skype, especially with the time difference. Just as customers enjoy the one-on-one interaction with the owner, I believe that I get a sense of satisfaction that leaves the store remaining afloat.
                                    

 

After speaking with two successful small business owners that have stable businesses in Tallahassee, it can be noted that it’s not as easy as it is perceived by the community. Making your own schedule each week is not as fun as it sounds. You are only as successful as you make yourself. Through dedication, one can successfully build a business on a foundation that can thrive in today’s economy. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your customers are satisfied. Local business owners do not necessarily have it cut out for them, even if they bought the store from someone else. Regardless, running a business takes dedication. One might not know right of the back, that owning a store interferes with one’s personal/family life (raising children) or that you make make or break your business. Supporting local businesses in Tallahassee is a must in today’s world. The 3/50 Project promotes local buying through a project where it challenges someone to spend $50 at three independently owned stores. Not many know that by spending $50 at three businesses each month, their purchases add up to more than $42.6 billion in revenue (U.S. Department of Labor). For every $100 spend in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If that money is spent in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Also, if that money is spent online…nothing comes back. (The 3/50 Project) By supporting locally owned stores such as My Favorite Things and My Kids A La Mode, we are “saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on.” These statistics are not widely known to our community, so local owners promote this project through flyers in their store.

 

This insight into the mind of small business owners here in Tallahassee reveals that not anyone can run their own business. It takes dedication, as well as responsibility. As Lauren Teal mentioned previously, you are responsible for your own success as a local business. The complications that owners confront each day are difficult to imagine. On the other hand, the gratification they possess as owners is rewarded through their clientele satisfaction.  Small business owners in Tallahassee have much in common in our community as their primary concerns are all relatively related. They care about their business as they care about their customers. It is something one not can find in just any store here, but only in those that strive to succeed as an independent business.

Joe's Bike Shop

Joe’s Bike Shop

            Tallahassee, Florida is a typical college town full of character and diversity. Similar too many other college towns there are a fairly large group of small local businesses. Joe’s Bike Shop is one of these small locally owned businesses. The shop is located along the banks of picturesque Lake Ella in a small stone clad building. The first thing you will notice upon arrival to the shop is all the bicycles out front, from old beach cruisers to modern day road bikes. It is like a haven for bicycle enthusiasts. Once inside the small store you will notice that it is stuffed full of bikes and bike parts. On this particular day when I visited Joe’s Bike Shop I was welcomed by three friendly men who all seemed more than willing to help. When I explained I was interviewing local business owners in Tallahassee one of the men exclaimed that I came to the right spot. That man was John, a customer and friend of Joe who apparently spends quite a bit of time at the shop while his bikes are repaired. However Joe was much more humble and said “Why would anyone want to interview me?” I also can’t forget Pete who is Joe’s head bicycle mechanic and was more than willing to chime in with a witty comment. As soon as I pulled out my notebook full of questions Joe began to groan about answering a lot of questions. Thankfully once the interview got going he had no problem opening up to me and providing me with some great answers.

I started off the interview by asking how long Joe’s Bike Shop had been in business. Joe replied jokingly by saying 75 years and then with a serious answer of 26 years. His answer seemed to remind him how long he had been in business and brought back some nostalgia. I then asked him if he had always owned his own business or if he had worked for someone else before. He told me about his short career of flipping burgers at Burger King. More importantly he also explained how he worked as a bicycle mechanic at Janice Bikes, where he got his start in repairing bikes. When I asked him how he came up with the idea of starting his own business he had a simple reply. Basically Janice Bikes closed down and he enjoyed bicycles so why not take a chance at opening his own bike store. This answer led me to my next question which asked if it was difficult to get Joe’s Bike Shop started. Joe told me it was fairly easy because he just bought a lot of the supplies and tools from Janice Bikes since it was closing down. He also told me that before he had a permanent store he had a stand at the flea market and often could be found at FSU’s market Wednesday.

At this point I was surprised at how well the interview was going and decided to gain more information from Joe. So I asked him who his average clientele was. This question got a lot of laughter out of Joe and he pointed to John. He told me that John was always in his shop for something. He did elaborate a little more and said that he gets a lot of state workers and college students. I was going to ask him what kind of relationship he has with his customers but it was obvious to me by his relationship with John. Also a woman came in with a flat bike tire and he knew her by name and was extremely helpful. I think this shows why he has been open for 26 years. Next I asked him what it is like being in charge of your own schedule. He replied with a mixed answer of yes he enjoys being in control of his own destiny but it has its drawbacks. For instance Joe explained to me that he works all the time and John and Pete agreed with that statement. I forgot to mention that the whole time I was conducting the interview Joe was tinkering away on a bike, proof that he really does work all the time. So I had one more question for Joe with the hopes of getting a really in-depth answer. I asked him if he had any tips for someone interested in starting their own business. Joe replied with a simple “Don’t”. He laughed after saying it but I could tell that owning your own business is not an easy task and not to be taken lightly. After all Joe has owned his own business for 26 years and knows all the challenges. With that final question I felt pretty good about the interview so I thanked Joe and snapped a couple photos of him at work.

After my interview with Joe, I feel like I have a much better understanding of small business owners in Tallahassee. I now see the benefits as well as the challenges of owning your own business. My impression before the interview was that small business owners had it easy. I thought since they were in charge of their own schedule that they could just do whatever they wanted. However Joe informed me that it is actually the opposite. Since they are in charge they cannot rely on others so often times a small business owner will work way more hours than the average worker. He even told me that he has worked on holidays just to keep up with business. Although there are challenges Joe obviously loves what he does and prefers owning his own business then working for someone. It was clear to me that he enjoys his profession just by his interactions with his customers. I do not think there are any big businesses where the owner is friends with one of his customers like the way Joe is friends with John. The best part about small businesses is their tie to the community. I personally like being able to go into a store and know the owner by name. I also like the personal attention and atmosphere of a small local business. I felt very comfortable at Joe’s Bike Shop and feel it is an excellent example of a small local business in Tallahassee, Florida.

Official Interview

Me: How long have you been in business?

Joe: 26 years this August

Me: Have you always owned your own business or have you worked for someone else?

Joe: Before I became interested in bikes I flipped burgers down at Burger King and then I was a bicycle mechanic at Janice Bikes.

Me: How did you come up with the idea to start your own business?

Joe: Well Janice Bikes closed down and I still loved repairing bikes so I bought up a bunch of tools and parts from Janice Bikes and began my own make-shift shop.

Me: Was it difficult to get your business started?

Joe: Not too difficult since I lucked out and got all the supplies I really needed from the closed shop. I also started out with a booth at the flea market so I didn’t just move into a permanent storefront right away.

Me: Who is your average clientele?

Joe: John of course. Also I get a lot of state workers and students in here.

Me: Do you like being in charge of your own schedule?

Joe: Yes because I don’t like having others tell me what to do. I am in charge of my own destiny.

Me: Do you enjoy the responsibility of owning your own business?

Joe: I do, however I work more than most people. In fact I have even worked on weekends and holidays just to keep up with business.

Me: What are some tips for someone interested in starting a small business?

Joe: Don’t!