https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:14:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2024932 Mon, 06 May 2019 05:49:25 +0000 CocoLion 2024932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those are great suggestions. &nbsp;Things are still tough. &nbsp;I have not had a day off in two months. &nbsp;12 -14 hour days. &nbsp;A 5 hour day like today is a day off. &nbsp;And whenever I'm not there, like when I do a shorter day, the drama starts with the servers. &nbsp;People threatening to quit, or quitting. &nbsp;Or giving me ultimatums -- &nbsp;I won't work here if I have to work with so-and-so so it's me or (insert name).</p> <p>On the plus side business is very good and the comments I'm getting are mostly quite positive. &nbsp;I feel like the customers get my vision better than the staff do, so some more communication is in order per sun tiger's comment.</p> <p>On a disappointing note, I had put a lot of effort into creating vegan dishes but they are not selling well at all. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2023558 Wed, 01 May 2019 02:07:30 +0000 Sarah A 2023558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven’t been on much in years either but what a treat to hear about your new endeavor. Sending lots of strength and courage to make the best decisions to you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2021760 Wed, 24 Apr 2019 03:21:53 +0000 shiny 2021760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't question your sanity-- just keep following your passion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2021482 Tue, 23 Apr 2019 03:52:04 +0000 Sal 2021482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for checking in - it sounds like a crazy time - and taking risks is exciting and the way to move forward.</p> <p>Definitely not a hospitality expert but in terms of staff I think if you can bring them along on the journey of where you see the restaurant in the future. Those who can’t adjust may need to go - not sure of US labour laws but I know we acted too slowly with staff who could not adjust. Letting them go actually meant they ended up in better positions and we found change our culture. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020937 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 00:10:34 +0000 rachylou 2020937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My only thought is when you take a decision, ask what the impacts will be and try to address those. There are no doubt things you don’t know about, things with history.</p> <p>But some people are just pot stirrers and those got to go... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020830 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 12:38:00 +0000 Anonymous 2020830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd say, if you didn't already, sit down with all the staff and talk about your vision for the restaurant. Get their imput, see what they liked and didn't like from before. Talk to them about what worked for you before and didn't. Tell them the goal is for success together, but ultimately you are the boss and make the decisions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020795 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 05:43:52 +0000 CocoLion 2020795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for the kind and supportive comments. My head cook gets around $1700 a week which is a lot but he's worth it but I still need more people. &nbsp;A new resort opened, 250 rooms with two restaurants so they have taken people I used to hire to cook. &nbsp;They offer low cost housing and low cost food but they just pay around $13/hour. &nbsp;I pay $18-20/hour except my lead mentioned previously. &nbsp;Preps get $15-17/hour and dishwashers $15. &nbsp;I am questioning my sanity right now but need to have faith that it will get better. &nbsp;There used to be more housing available at the lower end but now it's mostly AirBnB'ed to Yosemite travelers. &nbsp;</p> <p>I had to hire a lot of the previous owners' staff which is good and bad. &nbsp;The good is they know what they're doing but the bad is, it could become the old restaurant which did not have the reputation I established at my other restaurant. &nbsp;Also they try to take advantage of me because I'm nice. &nbsp;They understand two types of management: &nbsp;mean (they'll hate you but respect you), nice (walk all over you). &nbsp;This is not like my previous corporate jobs where team playing and knowledge garner respect. &nbsp;There are already some employees I want to fire because I feel they are undermining me.</p> <p>I hope the stress reduces. &nbsp;I had to leave early tonight because I was afraid I was going to lose it and yell at people. &nbsp;It was the best decision I made all day.</p> <p>Thanks for letting me vent. &nbsp;Any suggestions for the old staff members I'd love to hear them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020611 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 15:30:21 +0000 deb 2020611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations, Denise!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020596 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 14:30:55 +0000 texstyle 2020596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats to you on the restaurant! I know it's extremely hard work but it can be rewarding too. Finding help is an overall issue - I think people aren't ready to pay the high price for meals out that would be required for restaurants to maintain quality staff. My only suggestion would be - raise the prices enough where you can offer more $$ for the cooking staff. Here in Texas it takes about $20 an hour to get someone to do a decent job in the kitchen. If you can get them to show up reliably without a hangover. Unfortunately most places only pay $12 and the quality of food is pretty low in most places. I imagine the costs are quite a bit different on the West coast. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020452 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 23:57:58 +0000 Anonymous 2020452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back And congrats on the restaurant!<br /> *waves magic wand for a crop of good, reliable, nice tempered cooks to appear* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020437 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 22:49:06 +0000 Classically Casual 2020437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! I have missed your posts immensely as I lemminged<br /> several of your finds. There was so much winter snow, here’s hoping<br /> Yosemite can escape all fires this summer, and you get some time for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020326 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:55:14 +0000 Sisi 2020326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice to see you, CocoLion! Congratulations and best wishes for your new business! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020258 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 03:03:25 +0000 anne 2020258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great news Denise. Hope things improve on the cook front. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020256 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 02:55:52 +0000 annagybe 2020256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow!!! Congrats, and hope things can settle down to dull roar soon.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020172 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:00:10 +0000 Joyce B 2020172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is nice to see you post. Congrats on your new restaurant and best of luck and success to you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020166 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 18:13:47 +0000 Glory 2020166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Denise so wonderful to hear from you! I miss your terrific sense of style. Congratulations on the restaurant- it sounds very busy!<br /> Best wishes xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020132 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 15:44:41 +0000 taylor 2020132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s great that you checked in. I disappeared for some time as well because ...life is unpredictable.<br /> Congratulations on your own restaurant. I really understand the time a business consumes , as a former business owner. *It’s All consuming*. I’m not surprised you are exhausted.<br /> Please try to take some time for yourself ...if even a few moments here and there . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020104 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 14:21:05 +0000 Angie 2020104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW, <b>DENISE</b>. CONGRATS!!! Is the restaurant close-by?&nbsp;</p> <p>Sooooo good to hear from you, and I miss you terribly. I am extremely impressed. You are Super Woman of 2019. INCREDIBLE. I'm in awe, and WELL DONE. Good luck, and I wish you sleep!&nbsp;</p> <p>How is Danny? Much love to you. xo</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020102 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 14:19:13 +0000 Sara L. 2020102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations and good luck!&nbsp; I hope you find some dependable staff soon so you can rest a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020092 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 13:21:19 +0000 pil 2020092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on the new restaurant, what an undertaking. Wishing you all kinds of success - and good, dependable staff! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020090 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 13:15:33 +0000 kellygirl 2020090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an adventure! I know all about staffing problems--it seems like a bay area problem for sure. I'm glad to hear that you are doing well and hope that you are able to find some time for yourself soon too. Big hug! I've missed your fashionable self here on the forum! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020079 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 12:47:15 +0000 carter 2020079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Denise, so glad to hear you're doing so well in your own venture! Hopefully you'll get the kinks worked out sooner rather than later and be able to grab a day or two off here and there. Congrats! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020071 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 12:30:53 +0000 Janet 2020071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Denise! So good to see you post. I’ve missed you. I’m glad to hear the absence is for such a good reason and the business is thriving. But I hope you can take time for yourself too. I want to visit you out there someday! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020060 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 11:56:46 +0000 RobinF 2020060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like an exciting although busy time! Good luck on the restaurant! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020049 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 11:07:10 +0000 kkards 2020049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW...congratulations on the new&nbsp;restaurant....how courageous&nbsp;of you to take such a big step...wishing you continued&nbsp;success.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020048 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 10:38:39 +0000 Style Fan 2020048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations!&nbsp; I have missed your posts, Denise.&nbsp; I understand how life can get busy.&nbsp; I don't know much about the restaurant business but it looks like it would be very demanding as well as rewarding. &nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020043 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 10:12:56 +0000 rachylou 2020043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Denise, wow! That’s incredible! I’m impressed. Congrats!</p> <p>Sets my mind buzzing, all the things to think about and do. Exhausting, but exciting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020028 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 09:12:12 +0000 unfrumped 2020028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I miss your posts! Restaurant business is super hard- a labor of love to open up- so my thoughts are with you for endurance, success and good customers, getting the staffing you need and hoping things level off to manageable stage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020022 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:42:08 +0000 Inge 2020022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>It's sooooo lovely to hear from you, Denise!! I've missed you, but totally hear you on there never being enough time in a day to hop on the forum regularly!</div><div><br /></div><div>Big congratulations on opening your new restaurant! Great that it is doing so well, but sorry to hear about the issues with finding cooks, in addition to your Mom's health problems.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do take care of yourself, sweet Denise, that often takes second place when we're as busy as you are, while it's <i>even more</i> important at times like these.</div><div><br /></div><div>Inge</div><div>xxx<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-update-3#post-2020013 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 06:45:52 +0000 CocoLion 2020013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello Fabbers.<br />I have been quite absent from the forum for, well, a couple of years really. &nbsp;:-(<br />I poke in every once in a while but gone are the days of regular contribution. &nbsp;What's been up is I've opened another restaurant! &nbsp;This one is all my own, no pesky baby brother to constantly war with like at my first restaurant which was more of a team family enterprise. &nbsp;This new place is doing more volume, off to a good start. &nbsp;But I am exhausted. &nbsp;I have worked every single day for on average of 11 hours, since early March. &nbsp;(I opened on April 1 but spent the 2 months before remodeling.). My biggest challenge is getting cooks and prep cooks. &nbsp;No one seems to want to do the hard work of cooking. &nbsp;I feel like I am testing my own limits with this work schedule AND the drama of a bigger staff than I am used to. &nbsp;Plus my Mom is nearly 86 and starting to fall frequently although mentally she's still quite fit.</p> <p>Anyway I miss everyone and just wanted to wave hello to tell you I am still here ... just without ANY free time.</p> <p> </p>