NYC momentum

I don't know what it is about this part of the country that kicks up my momentum for making things happen.

Last week we had a meeting of the formative Board of Directors for the Brother Lemonade Breast Cancer Initiative. We finalized our very vivid Pantone-specific colors for our logo, and decided that our branding would focus on a dba of "The Lemonade League", as it was far more understandable than the name of our organization.

We also nailed down the Mission Statement to the following:

In the midst of the frightening, isolating world of breast cancer detection and treatment, The Lemonade League cultivates clarity, compassion, connection,and courage; and serves solutions with fresh, new twists.

Meanwhile, Phil and I have gone ahead with the purchase of the last independent food booth at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The Queen's Pantry is the first food shop on the right as one enters the festival. The shop has long-standing and reliable employees, many of whom are planning to return. I'm still waiting to speak with a few of them.

I'll drive out of New York on the 5th of September to be able to meet my first delivery at he festival; which is scheduled for September 9th. Some of the returning employees have been there for 12 and 14 years, so I'll have some good help getting things figured out. I'm responsible for the wedding cakes for the weddings scheduled at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Currently I do not have to bake for opening weekend, but I have to make 14 cakes for the second weekend.

I know it sounds as though we're biting off a lot here, but the long-term picture is one of us making our money in a very intense 5 months, which leaves time for the things that are more imortant to us, like The Lemonade League, Habitat for Humanity, and growing organic avocados.

Opening Weekend, New York

Opening Weekend went well.

I think I'll offer the Brother Lemonade Couples Exam Class this Saturday at NYRF. I can teach it in the hairbraiding booth if I can get permission to have folks onsite after dark. (I have lights, but I'll have to get clearance from Security.)

Next week I'll offer it on Friday night, which shouldn't be as tough. For those of you that don't know, There are probably 70 people here during the week, and 350 people on the weekends. Consequently I'd be able to reach a lot more people on the weekend; even if it means adding on to what is already a 14 hour day.

The PR guy here at NYRF wants to do a tie-in with the Brother Lemonade Breast Cancer Initiative, which will get press for both the organization and the faire. We're supposed to have a meeting/brainstorm session tomorrow.

Everyone I speak to wants to be involved in some way. A couple of shop-owners have asked for rack-cards of info to put in their shops. I'll have something together for them by this upcoming weekend.

Busy ...

This is a very busy week. Phil and I are working on opening our shops at the New York Renaissance Faire. It's been our biggest show for a few years and consequently a pretty good chunk of our yearly income.
We have Hairbraiding, Henna, Tassel Tresses, Shaved Ice, Stone Roses, Cinnamon Almonds and two food shops, Magellan's Last Stand, and Fool's Pantry. Magellan's has a very extensive product list, and Fool's Pantry (the new one) basically only offers Funnel Cakes and Apple Fritters. Any new shop needs extra attention, so Phil has been playing with recipes and feeding people apple fritters so that the two of us are not too tempted.

I guess this is a bit of an apology for the emails and phone calls I haven't answered this week.

I promise I will be a person as soon as I have all of the paperwork done on Monday.