Well, the good news is it's not just us and the bad news is it's not just us. Qurble.com which originally began as U Gotta Eat has been in operation for a year and a half. We've been fighting since day one to build this company as most consumers began cutting back on eating out. See the thing is we don't have anything to compare our experience in business to besides the current business climate which for the restaurant industry in general ain't that good. We know the area is facing between a 15 - 17% unemployment rate, the highest in the state. And that the entire country, is reeling from the current economic situation but, at the end of the day you still wonder... is it just me?
The true answer we've learned from this is no and yes. When first starting there would be days when absolutely no one would call in an order. NO ONE!! Those were long and daunting days. Imagine waiting by a phone for 12 + hours of the day for nothing. Pretty demoralizing but, you can either give up or find out what the heck you're doing wrong and change it. The reason I mention this is because the reason no one called is because no one knew we existed! The fact is there are a lot of restaurants whos sales are down so no it's not just us but,... there goes that lovely word "but", what we noticed is that even though people may be eating out less often they haven't stopped eating out completely. And what places are consumers going to eat at? Restaurants that have the most notoriety or most familiarity, namely the Olive Garden's, Outback Steakhouse and Chili's of the world.
So what have we learned from this? In tough times people don't stop spending completely they just go for what's the most dominant in their minds. Mention Chili's for lunch with a group of people and almost everyone will know what Chili's is and know that if they spend money there they most likely won't be disappointed. Where as, mention you're local mom and pop shop, with some exception, and there is a more than likely a slight pause. The difference is marketing! We are constantly hearing about deals from big chains like Applebee's, Chili's, etc. who may or may not have deeper pockets to stay afloat (sorry Krispy Kreme) so it's only natural when looking for a place to eat that these businesses get a majority of the pie.
So what have we here at Qurble.com learned: Market, Market, Market and then when done Market some more. The secret to financial success in the worst of times is just market your goods and services.
Best Regards,
Derek Caffe
Chief Executive Officer
Qurble.com
330-743-8135
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Why do you try to break me life!?
Well today was a day like any other, life tried to make me say uncle with yet another little setback. I'm doing some work on my laptop (making Qurble.com even greater for you) and I notice that the battery is pretty low. Now under any other circumstance this would garner no special attention except... for the fact that it's plugged up to the AC adapter! So from here I see that the little status light on the adapter is out and began to repeatedly plug the adapter in and out of the wall outlet and laptop to see if it was just a bad connection. No luck. What's next? Well I decided to do what a lot of people do when they're pretty sure an appliance has reached the end of its useful life and have nothing to lose... I beat the heck out of it. I began to smash it against anything within my line of sight to try to get the dang thing to work... the floor... my fist... a hammer... the refrigerator... countertop... but, to no avail.
So once I came to the realization that I'm going to have to replace it I had to think quick because the remaining battery life is at about 38% and going. Having access to the internet is kind of imperative for an internet based company so the idea of not having it is not an option. Immediately I hop over to Google to find a replacement and they're relatively cheap, $20 - 40 but... they won't arrive for about a week!! And I could have just paid for priority shipping but that boosted up the price substantially and I would still be without a way to the information superhighway for about a day or possibly two. To Best Buy we go for a huge shock, sticker price, $104 before tax! That's $110.76 after tax... FOR A CHARGER!! I only paid $500 for the whole laptop package a year and a half ago. So that means 20% of the purchase price was just for the dang CHARGER! I don't have that type of money because I don't make that type of money. WHY!!!
Because going without it is not an option I'm willing to take I then head to Walmart where I find it for $96.08 after tax. Well at least it was cheaper than Best Buy. I purchased it and now my relationship with the internet is stronger than ever. lol. Life continually tries to break me but, not this day or any other. ME: 1 - LIFE: 0
Best Regards,
Derek Caffe
Chief Executive Officer
Qurble.com
http://www.Qurble.com
So once I came to the realization that I'm going to have to replace it I had to think quick because the remaining battery life is at about 38% and going. Having access to the internet is kind of imperative for an internet based company so the idea of not having it is not an option. Immediately I hop over to Google to find a replacement and they're relatively cheap, $20 - 40 but... they won't arrive for about a week!! And I could have just paid for priority shipping but that boosted up the price substantially and I would still be without a way to the information superhighway for about a day or possibly two. To Best Buy we go for a huge shock, sticker price, $104 before tax! That's $110.76 after tax... FOR A CHARGER!! I only paid $500 for the whole laptop package a year and a half ago. So that means 20% of the purchase price was just for the dang CHARGER! I don't have that type of money because I don't make that type of money. WHY!!!
Because going without it is not an option I'm willing to take I then head to Walmart where I find it for $96.08 after tax. Well at least it was cheaper than Best Buy. I purchased it and now my relationship with the internet is stronger than ever. lol. Life continually tries to break me but, not this day or any other. ME: 1 - LIFE: 0
Best Regards,
Derek Caffe
Chief Executive Officer
Qurble.com
http://www.Qurble.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New season, a lot wiser.
Running a business is nothing I believe you can prepare for in a classroom environment. As of October 20, 2009, we will have been in operations for a year and a half. Wow, what a ride. I often say to myself, "Can I ever catch a break?" Born in Youngstown, OH in January 1983 I, along with other staff members, never got to see the heyday of the city or rather the good times. Our orientation to the city was that of vacant buildings, drugs, violence, murder and an overall sense of hopelessness. And then, (for me) 25 years later I start a company and lo and behold... worst economy in decades. Geez. As Kurtis Blow once, so famously stated, "Those are the breaks!"
Well, you can do one of two things:
1. Sit there, complain and take it.
2. Get proactive and do something to change your fortunes
If you haven't figured out which of the options we're taking, the fact that our company is still existing in the worst economy in decades should give you a hint. We've been looking to expand and figuring out ways to better meet our customers needs and increase revenues. If you have any suggestions on how we can provide a better service, please let us know.
We want to do everything humanly possible to serve our customers but need to have the necessary sales to support our operations. If you like the service we provide and want more of it or just like what we stand for, a group of young, local entrepreneurs trying to add to the local economic firepower then please help us do this by supporting us with your dollars. Not only do you support us but also the local restaurant industry at the same time. And with your investment we will make it grow ten fold into a company that not only provides a great service, but generates tax revenue for local government programs, creates local jobs for web developers, software developers, marketing and sales representatives, etc. and is a beacon of hope for a generations of disenfranchised youth that yes, you can actually succeed, even in Youngstown, OH.
Best Regards,
Derek Caffe
Chief Executive Officer
Qurble.com
http://www.Qurble.com
Well, you can do one of two things:
1. Sit there, complain and take it.
2. Get proactive and do something to change your fortunes
If you haven't figured out which of the options we're taking, the fact that our company is still existing in the worst economy in decades should give you a hint. We've been looking to expand and figuring out ways to better meet our customers needs and increase revenues. If you have any suggestions on how we can provide a better service, please let us know.
We want to do everything humanly possible to serve our customers but need to have the necessary sales to support our operations. If you like the service we provide and want more of it or just like what we stand for, a group of young, local entrepreneurs trying to add to the local economic firepower then please help us do this by supporting us with your dollars. Not only do you support us but also the local restaurant industry at the same time. And with your investment we will make it grow ten fold into a company that not only provides a great service, but generates tax revenue for local government programs, creates local jobs for web developers, software developers, marketing and sales representatives, etc. and is a beacon of hope for a generations of disenfranchised youth that yes, you can actually succeed, even in Youngstown, OH.
Best Regards,
Derek Caffe
Chief Executive Officer
Qurble.com
http://www.Qurble.com
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