40 stacks up, 1 stack down

house cleaning: 1] no computer or cell phone for past 2 days 2] Im easy, easy like sunday mornings, 3] Shouts out to Malik and his Brother Punch - their club opens friday.

Was at the shop from 830am to 830pm yesterday. Managed to give out wings to three angels. But I aint mad for things are moving along slowly but surely. Although I know readers may be tired of me reporting on my progress regarding getting this store for dogs off the ground, I am thinking this will be the last one for a while but I am excited and I still have a strong interest in economics.

So this is for all of those that respect and value intellectual prowess and astuteness over cognitive dissonance. As well it is for those who place passion over brain cells and those that placate their suffering with excuse upon excuse, upon excuse. In this new age of global economics and multilateralism, I have come to the conclusion that only those that will be able to eat will be the ones who can take care of themselves and who pay themselves. Having a job or sitting behind a desk just won cut it anymore. Let alone is such a path to financial stability or security. Sure, I had a desk job for man years and it paid well but only because I had the capacity to write fundable grants that allowed me to do what I wanted to do (work when I wanted, leave when I wanted and travel to Africa all expenses paid). And I know some folks don’t have the desire, nor patience, nor cerebral disposition to earn a PhD – I was lucky.

I started this effort with a dream for I feel that dreams do not become the person but rather people become their dreams. A dream and 40 stacks of my own loot, no loan, no business plan. Now the horizon is clearer, especially after talking to my boy Malik yesterday. He is opening a bar up right next to my boy’s bar (Mbar) on Peters Street in Atlanta. He said to stop by and check it out and that the grand opening will be this Friday. A reformed hustler doing good. He says that I am his mentor and that I will have lifetime VIP status. It made me smile the mentor part that is.

After seeing the joint he asked me to have a drink with him. I did and waked and saw a cat that went to Morehouse with me. I try to introduce them and find out the cousins. After a while we all can back to my store. They bought books, dog food [Evangers Pheasant and Brown Rice] and treats. Just day two of having my doors open and almost $600. At this rate I can gross a stack every 4 to 5 days. This without weekends

Now I have to calibrate a way to maintain inventory based on sales and length of time for delivery. Yep 40 stacks up, one stack down and 39 to go to break even. Then my dreams of shops in Hilton Head and South Beach are sure to follow.

And I feel good, I mean the community of my folk (young black male business men and fellow Morehouse alum) and how we are doing it. Not by making music talking about buss it babies, not by making TV shows or movies like the Flavor of Love or the Wire that spoon feed stupidity to plebeians that lack moral fiber and tend to display already poor judgment. Not by selling drugs, nope, with brain cells. For in the eye of the storm hope is born – here I am.