| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Feb 08 2013 : 09:21:01 AM
Alright girls--this week has been the week of first for me. I don't know if it's the weather (cold, grey) or that I've been sitting in the basement of this law office for the last 13 years and feel like they'll find me here when I die, but I sent out a resume this week for a new job (with an organic delivery service) and I just contacted a local crafty-market group called Folksiders, based out of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky about selling my pies at their monthly markets.
I was received warmly and am now on the search for a local commercial kitchen to rent. The first show is in June, so if I have my ducks in a row and get all my permits (and Kentucky is KILLER on these freakin' food safety permits), Pie Bird will be in business.
Pie babies and by the slice to begin with, and since the show is on Sunday, a few whole pies for folks who want to take them home for Sunday Supper. Of course, custom orders. I have 3 pies that everyone requests when I bake--and then I'll add a seasonal option, to boot.
Wish me luck--I can't tell if the roller coaster in my tummy is excitement or plain old nerves!!!!
Girls, I couldn't sleep all night. A storm woke me, but as soon as my eyes opened with that clap of thunder, I was off and running. I toured the commercial kitchen space yesterday and loved it. It's perfect for what I'll use it for and the gal I'm subletting from is so amazing--she was really encouraging and told me "now's the time. Let your daughter see that there is so much more." And I'm going to do it. I've been approved by the health department--they will do a final walk through of the kitchen for the license but my pitch and what I want to sell have been approved and as soon as I scrape together my app fee ($160) I'm in business. Well, I'll be in business when I get my supplies, my boxes, my ingredients etc...and pay my $60 to the farmers market!
Just wanted to share my news. Now I just need to keep the positive momentum going. What was happy ideas yesterday somehow morphed with the storm and turned into, "You must be crazy..." and a bunch of logical nightmare situations. I can't get bogged down with that!"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Aug 15 2013 : 8:56:42 PM
Ugh, what a hassle. Keep going though, the goal is worth it. Have you talked to your local chamber of commerce? I learned recently that here in my city, having a business registered gives you the opportunity to purchase group-rate health insurance through the COC. Maybe something similar is available for product insurance? (And for further down the road, it might be good to know whether health insurance is available also.)
I've been too busy to follow MJF for the past 18 months or so, so I wasn't aware of your new venture til I saw the Facebook page just recently. I'm so excited for you! Although I have to admit, I had no idea until tonight that a pie bird was an actual thing. Honestly, I'd never seen one before at a rummage sale, in a friends kitchen, mentioned in a book, nothing. I feel totally blindsided by a tool of such ingenuity and cuteness. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Aug 15 2013 : 07:44:13 AM
Another update!
Whew...where to begin. A few setbacks. Just after I got the kitchen approved, I was told that someone wanted to take over the lease and that we'd be moving before the end of August...after I'd just paid my fees for that particular space. So, I canceled the other inspection I needed, only to be called back a few minutes later and told that we wouldn't be making the change to a new space until the end of September, now. So, back on!
Finally got the people at the market to send me the application after hounding her for 2 solid months and was told that we need product liability insurance for a $1,000,000 policy. Ok....called the local farm bureau office and was told that it would be $785 a year!!!!! Which is odd, because my friend who sells at the market sells pork from his hogs. That are butchered and processed in a facility and then sold at a farm market and his premium is only $400 a year....and for farmers bringing organic vegetables and other types of produce in, it's $200. And I'm not knocking vegetable farmers, but there are a lot more "bugs" that can make you sick on fresh veg than from a cooked pie. So....still looking for coverage that's affordable.
Ordered boxes, stickers, and a banner. Buying baking supplies here and there. Here's the logo, featured as my profile pic, that my husband made for me and I love it. Also, started a facebook page, so if any folks would like to check out the page and like it, I'd be much obliged!
https://www.facebook.com/Piebirdchirp
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| horseychick |
Posted - Jul 23 2013 : 06:26:40 AM
Jonni,
How exciting! I will bet that this venture will make that FarmGirl side of you very happy. Keep us updated. We'll all looking forward to an update.
Farmgirl Sister #1706 You can take the girl out of the country but her soul will bring her back.-mlp
www.thestitchincoop.etsy.com
www.ThePatternShack.etsy.com
www.CountyFairVintage.etsy.com
www.CountrygirlSoul.blogspot.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jul 20 2013 : 3:15:42 PM
How exciting Jonni !!! OMG it sounds like you are going to do it and you are almost there. I bet you do so well. I can't wait to here how it all goes once you start making your wonderful pies. Hugs to you and good luck.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Jul 20 2013 : 10:20:58 AM
I get keys to the kitchen on Monday!!! The fridge will be delivered Wednesday and I'll have my final inspection on Friday! So.....Next week I'm in business!
I am a nervous wreck, honestly. But, it's a good nervous. Sort of. Everyone I've spoken to about pies has been so receptive, asking where I sell them and saying, "no one makes good pies around here. You'll do well!" We'll see, but at least I'm getting out there and talking about it because, networking is NOT one of my fortes!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| EllaRow |
Posted - Jul 10 2013 : 2:23:12 PM
Great news Jonni! I hope your pies sell as fast as you make em :).
Soaking in wisdom as the showers fall
https://www.facebook.com/CavemanWoodworkingAndCrafts
https://www.facebook.com/RowlandComputersPlus |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jul 08 2013 : 08:05:50 AM
I am just SO excited and happy for you, Jonni! Your dream is coming true! I can't wait to hear all about the exciting things to come! You GO girl! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jul 04 2013 : 4:40:26 PM
Jonni don't forget to tell us how your visit to the kitchen goes. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the one. Sounds also like you may have found a nitch for your pies.
You have alot of work ahead of you.....one step at a time and you will be there before you know it with your apron on.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Jun 24 2013 : 12:26:58 PM
Well, girls, tomorrow at 11:00 I go to see the commercial kitchen!
We used Saturday as a marketing day to go round to all the local farmers markets (we're lucky that we astride 3 counties so we're close to all of them) and NO PIE DEALERS. There was one "sweets" dealer who I've purchased from in the past (only once) and her stuff was...not great.
But, we went to the Kenton County market that's about 10 minutes from my house and I ran into a good friend from school who sells his pork and beef there. He's a great resource and said that there is NOONE selling stuff like that at their little market and it would be a tremendous boon to have something other than flowers, bread and that sort of thing. He gave me his contact at the NKY Health Department, I've already spoken to him, he knows the space I'm going to rent and was very helpful in providing me names at the state capitol where I'll need to send my recipes.
So...maybe by summer's end I'll be in business! Just have to get my ducks in a row and start small. What I did notice about the lady who made all the sweets, cakes, etc...was that she had too much. She had two booths--one at an early market we went to that was heavily stocked and another that was sat by her mom, also heavily stocked. Not a lot of traffic at either market so, in my opinion, a lot of waste/loss.
Anyway, just wanted to give you girls a "status update" :)
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| forgetmenot |
Posted - Jun 20 2013 : 8:56:26 PM
Jonni, I am so excited for you! Sure hope everything works out!
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jun 20 2013 : 4:36:01 PM
Jonni sounds like the door is wide open again. I am so glad you found a kitchen to rent. I am so excited for you. One day I hope to try your pies personally. I know you are going to do well. Hugs.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| laurentany |
Posted - Jun 13 2013 : 11:26:48 AM
Jonni-
Hoping and Prayin that this all works out for you! It sounds like you are on the right track and you cant pass up that deal! WOW.
Wishing you much success!
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Jun 06 2013 : 05:52:29 AM
Thanks so much, Sharon--keep on prayin! It looks like by the end of June I will be in the commercial kitchen. $100 a month for as often as I want to use it, weekends and evenings during the week after 5:00. The only thing I will need to provide is a fridge--and that's doable now at Lowes for under $100. I can keep all my provisions there, they have mixers and a double convection oven, all gas/electric/water paid for.
Multi-talented husband is working on my logo (he was a fine arts major in college) and I am working on pushing down my fear of the unknown and "no". As my husband said this morning, "just keep asking. No doesn't mean never."
More updates later, but I have to thank each and every one of you for believing that I can do this. Though we've none of us really met, save MissBeeHaven and Nubidane, I appreciate each of your hearts and your good wishes for me and my little dream.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Jun 05 2013 : 06:31:37 AM
Yay! I am so excited for you Jonni! I have been wondering and praying. Great news and probably a much better kitchen too!
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Jun 05 2013 : 05:39:47 AM
Well, girls, just an update. My commercial kitchen rental fell through at the Senior Center (guy just flat out refused to return emails and phone calls--I tag them so I know he read them, but he was just...discourteous). Anyhoo, I went a way on a short break, rethought my energy and decided that I'll do whatever I can.
Yesterday, I walked into a little coffee shop that just opened down from my office and began talking to the owner and her daughters. Awesome little place and we had some acquaintences in common. Long story short, one of them is an old church friend who's wife started a gluten free bakery (but had the WORST HOURS EVER) and wasn't successful...but they have a COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FOR RENT A BLOCK FROM MY OFFICE!!!!. I have been in contact and have already secured the weekends for baking AND I'll be giving some samples to the coffee shop to see if they would like to carry my pies in their pastry case--they were VERY excited.
So, I'm off and running again. I will contact the health department again for pointers, but I think securing the kitchen is a good starting point!
Thank you girls for your support--I can't tell you how much it means. This job that I have, this desk job, for years it's been zapping my soul and well, maybe now there is change afoot. I can't leave it yet, but at least I'll have something to look forward to, a separate identity, a way to show my little one that you CAN have a dream.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| EllaRow |
Posted - May 23 2013 : 2:58:19 PM
Good luck!
Soaking in wisdom as the showers fall |
| harvesttender |
Posted - Mar 23 2013 : 3:53:17 PM
Congratulations on such a good idea, Jonni. And your choice for a name, PIE BIRD, could not be better! There is no question that you'll succeed. My local farmers markets (CT) have lines at the pie table - every week! And lots of folks are picking up pre-orders. People love pie! Very best to you. |
| Sally55 |
Posted - Mar 02 2013 : 08:41:36 AM
Best of luck to you Jonni! I know how you feel going "out of the comfort zone" but that's what it takes to get things going. You said you wished you had done this when you were in your 20's. I had to chuckle...after the 22 years my husband has been an auctioneer, and we are in our senior years, we just started an online only auction webpage to accompany our live auctions. Seems you have to keep up with the trends and selling Estates, Household, Antiques, etc online is starting to take off around here in our part of PA as well as in other parts of the country. It seems overwhelming when you start planning but then there is the day when it all comes together and what a feeling of satisfaction and excitement. Enjoy the ride...it will pay off!
If you're curious, our page is at www.ducksoupauctions.com/
Best of Luck and don't give up!
PA Farmgirl #3766
Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up |
| Nana Shirl |
Posted - Mar 01 2013 : 08:28:38 AM
AWWW!! AWESOME!! I have heard of these..guess never really saw any...or didn't realize if I did!! love em!
You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me. ~C.S. Lewis |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Feb 27 2013 : 06:37:29 AM
Maybe they flew up to New York state to be with Nancy Jo's pie birds! :)
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Feb 27 2013 : 05:54:44 AM
Holy cow, Mary Beth! Those are incredible!!!! You're like me--you put things up for safekeeping and then they're just a little "too safe". I would hate to be a robber coming into my house--they'd never find anything of worth!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 22 2013 : 11:04:15 PM
Hi Jonni---I am still looking for the disappearing pie birds. I know I have them because i took a picture of some of them.  
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| violetrose |
Posted - Feb 22 2013 : 5:10:31 PM
Jonni, I just read your post - how very exciting for you! Love all your ideas, just keep them rolling and you will be up and running before you know it.
Hope you and your little one are feeling all better now. I am so ready for Spring and healthy, happy people. So much sickness this Winter - ugh!!! The birdies are singing more now, so that means it won't be long - Spring :)
Praying for you as you go toward your goal!
Hugs, Ruth
Farmgirl Sister # 1738
God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!
St. Augustine |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Feb 22 2013 : 09:03:37 AM
Hey girls, thank you so much again for the good wishes--your faith in me really helps. I'm prone to backsliding!!!!! I've been sidelined a bit by illness and taking care of my little one, also sick, but I contacted a guy from the local senior center last week about renting out their kitchen after seeing a post on a random internet search that said the kitchen was "for rent", posted in the Autumn of 2012. Apparently, that never took off or they never had any takers because I'm the first one to call and though totally open to the idea, he really didn't have any idea as to "what" the going rate would be, so he asked me to check out some comparible businesses. We don't really have a lot of those around here, so I think I'm going to ask around on some message boards and even contact a gal, south of me in Louisville, who made some confections for Violet's first birthday party to see what she pays--she rented a kitchen from a local parish.
I'm thinking about $10 an hour would be comparible to rates I've seen in larger cities of $18 (NYC and Chicago).
That would put me in about $50 once a month. That's not too bad.
My momentum is still going, but the first piece of the puzzle is the kitchen--after that is in place, I can focus on the more "fun" things like boxes, displays, "branding", etc.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 5:01:31 PM
Good luck, Jonni! I just saw this and am so excited for you and your new adventure! I love pie. There is a couple girls here in Chatt. that make THE best cakes ever. They sell at the Chatt. Market and a few other places. They sell a slice for $4 a piece and make a killing. They own a commercial kithcen in an old mall here and even rent it out by the hour or day to others. A great business. They probably have 50 different types of cakes. I think I've had anout 4 so far. I hope you're able to find a kitchen soon and get this ball rolling soon. Have you tried you local extension service? Or just Google it?
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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