Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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.

53 comments:

Rich Fitzgerald said...

can't believe i'm first here.

all good stuff. glad to know it's going well.

Lina said...

Can the church say Amen!!! I love love love to see you are doing well. You seem like the type to excel at whatever you do.

PrettyBlack said...

How can you even think people would get tired of hearing about a successful brother? Man please!

I have been telling my nephews 14,15, and 16 to work hard, go to college. And eventually be your own man. Because at the rate the economy is going you can put thirty years into a career and they'll file bankruptcy on you, the fat cats leave with everything and your left with doing security work at 65.

Remember Kodak? Keep doing it Torrance. That's good shit.

Anonymous said...

It makes for great blogging when you blog about progress. I don't mind hearing about your store. It is a dream that has come into fruition. And being able to take that journey with you is great. It's inspiring.

I'm sure you know this already. As you mentioned dude considered you his mentor. So why not write about it.

Great to see folk doing big things. Glad the business is doing it too. Looking forward to hearing more good news.

Sista GP said...

Good post, T. You are an inspiration to all of us who are trying to get out from behind the desk and breathe some fresh air.

The Jaded NYer said...

seems like everywhere I go today all points are hinting at me getting off my ass and stopping the excuses already.

message received.

congratulations on the store's early success... although if I see a dog walking around in a wife beater T, I'm gonna point and laugh and put the owner on blast on my blog!!! LOL

dc_speaks said...

what up, fam? stopping by to say hey!!

CapCity said...

keep posting 'bout the progress of your dreams, Bruh T-Dawg - those of us hustlin', too never tire of hearing success in ALL increments! KEEP strugglin' toward greatness, Bruh! countin' down the days 'til i meetcha!

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Have I told you lately that I LOVE YOU!

This is why I do! You are so clear and focused and a real inspiration to those of US who are putting our freedom plans in place!

You ROCK!

Tha BossMack TopSoil said...

Keep Hustlin'!

Anonymous said...

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.


only from a true scholar we need more men like you in our neighborhoods

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

As some one who earns her living providing entertainment for the masses I say don't knock my hustle and I won't knock tours!

Mizrepresent said...

Great job T! Looks like things are going your way!

THE PRINCESS "CC" said...

it's always wonderful to hear good news, don't you get "tired" of bad news spreads so quickly.

Your shop is your dream come true, so it's an inspiration to others & that is what our community needs, motivation.

Unknown said...

You'll be rakin in the dough boy, rakin in the dough, rakin in the dough boy, rakin in the dough.... Thats what I need to get you, a rake, so you can rake in your dough! Keep Ballin Baby!

Unknown said...

I'm happy to see you doing the buisness gig... i like to see black people doing there own thing! thats one of my goals.

Blessings

Mo said...

its good to hear your shop is doing so great and congrats to your friends as well. keep it up & keep bloggin abt it!

MarĂ­a said...

Have you SEEN the Wire? That was one of the realest shows ever - I thought it very accurately displayed the pit falls of that lifestyle and didn't glorify it at all.

Look @ my poor man Omar. :(

I'm glad you and your store are doing well!

Anonymous said...

God
I drop by all the time
just a word
that kid aint on
that wire video in that post
i know u think you bullet proof
but stop by the head of the bank
told MB and Greg
want us to do?

Born

Anonymous said...

god, do you know where he live

Born

DFitz said...

You right, real money cant be made working for the man, we gotta do it ourselves. It takes a strong minded person to even have the discipline to say, "I'm gonna make on my own"...you had 40 stacks, try a pocket full of lint and a heart of a lion. Thats all i had coming out of college determined that I was going to have my own no matter what. Its funny now when I look back and see what I came from. (Upper middle class spoiled brat determined to prove to my hood friends i could make it without daddy's money..lol)I smile every time i check out the account, I'm doing it...and I'm doing it on my own...

Anonymous said...

Damn, a girl goes MIA in the blogosphere for a few months and comes back to find Mr. Torrance has opened a dog shop?!?!? Guess I've got a bit of catching up to do, eh? Good for you, man, good for you. Hope all else is going well, too. :)

Waiting for Zufan! said...

You gave me a comment! Thank you!!!That really increased my pulse rate, seriously. SO cool that you stopped over, I adore your blog. You are such an expressive writer, and feel so authentic, at least that's how I perceive it. I'll let you know when I read one of your books.

Good luck with the store! If I didn't live a couple thousand miles away we'd stop in and buy some treats.

Tera said...

Torrance this is fantastic news! And you must keep us updated on how the business is going even if only a little snippet now and again!!!

You are the shit my friend!

12kyle said...

sounds like you're on your way!

focusedpurpose said...

T-

congratulations! i love reading of your progress.

blessings in abundance,
focusedpurpose

Skoolboi Krush said...

Keep doing your thang, folk. I'm thinking about buying a dog soon. I'll definitely have to drop by your spot to support.

TheophaniaPaige said...

Even though I don't have a dog lol, I definitely have to come by and visit the store one day!

I'm happy that you're enjoying your new endeavor!

Kofi said...

I for one enjoy reading the progress tales. They keep me inspired.

...they call me "L" said...

you have reason to smile, be proud of you and your boys, because this is what the american dream is all about. do that dayum thang all-mi-t!

The Artist In Me said...

To know that there are folks around to fuel a dream (one inspired from above, and worked within the capacity of your brain cells) is priceless.

I look forward to fueling your dream!

Be blessed!

dc_speaks said...

Always a pleasure to re-read your blogs brah.

I'm honored to be numbered and number you amongst empowering the minds of others.

Wishing you and yours all the best!!

Anonymous said...

You are so right and I commend you for pointing it out. Education is cool, I'll never knock it, but we must understand that working for someone else isn't going to cut it. It's not the path to financial security or personal fulfillment (IMHO), let alone the fact that judging by the state of our economy, planning such for your future won't be practical or possible.

Bananas said...

Don't let this be a warning so much as a vision.

Be careful what you wish for.

My gosh I can see it now. Multiple stores, inventory control, purchasing and supply chain management, IT support, direct to customer online sales, corporate contracts with Petco, Six Sigma & ISO certifications - oh my God the story of a Black Man building an empire.

And he did it without a business plan.

Keep on movin' 'til ya wanna stop I say.

Keli said...

Brain cells...such powerful things, sad that they are not giving more respect.

Anonymous said...

Everything I wanted to say as pretty much been said already but Im glad to hear you are following your dream and making a success out of it....I also wanted to ask if you offer any mentoring or if I could pick your brain about your graduate school experience since I am working on pursuing a graduate degree.....Thanks

IntrospectiveGoddess

Anonymous said...

u wanna know where Don lives huh?

Anonymous said...

u wanna know where Don lives huh?

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Anonymous of the last 2 post: I don't know why you would feel the need to bring your drama over here. I am sure Torrance is not interested in where Don lives. I could be wrong, but based on the posts that Dr. Stephens writes here, it does not seem likely that he is interested in Don.

Take your drama elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

t man i been knoowing you sense ruben green introduce us bro you been laying it down for years bro they dont know bro i remmeber you your apt what 10,000 book they dont know stephen wiley memphis .wwileywil@aol.com

Jackie E. said...

Hey my brother went to Morehouse, class of '90, Dr. John Edwards. Small world. Seems like you have already made it through the hard part, getting you business off the ground. I wish you nothing but success. Seems like you're one of those guys who'll make a way to success no matter what anyway. But an added prayer along the way never hurt, right??

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

Rich
lol better see u soon


Lina said...
aman and a woman lolo

PrettyBlack
u biased. llol but i know u speak from your heart so ok


Urban Thought
i agree. thanks 4 the lovbe


sista gp
thanks babe, how is hubby, and my aunt and the tball tyeam that plays no defence lol

The Jaded NYer
just want to live by example and u getr them things don sister pls

dc_speaks
where is the love u read me but u dont post and i cant read u boooooooooooooooooooo

CapCity
see u soon hon


Lovebabz
thanks hoin

Tha BossMack TopSoil
tyryingh jones tyryin

Anonymous
thank u

Aunt Jackie
never will hion


Mizrepresent
u biased come down friday at 7 pls


THE PRINCESS "CC"
im praying it does come true but prayer withouitv effort is nothing

Tony OH
an accolade from the real Mr. Haney love u folk


memphiz
dnt know what to say since u think im sexy now lol

Kieya
thanks sister


Immoral Matriarch
thanks and no only cspan, and espn. its garbage. until u been stabbed or shot then u can comment to me folk, have u. tv fake and foul. ghet in them styreets woman



Born
u good now, no threat but i love tyhe love
he was flexing
u know how women can get fiolk
he love me and didnt mean it thats why i didntv respond
cant respind to untruths. so tell greg whats up, i love yawl god


DFitz
lint no, only if no fgaith and no spiritual guidance


SoCal Muchacha
lol im sorry forgive me pls

Waiting for Zufan!
i know u wood but u know we folk hon

Tera said...
u makingh me blush, my folk already think im malcom x and want to protect me like i cant mysel;f lol

12kyle
come down, shoot me an email bruh. for real though


focusedpurpose
thanks scholar

Skoolboi Krush
come by folk and lets kick it

TheophaniaPaige
cha ching lol


Kofi
my progress is all of ours i aint trying to beat nobody just contribute

Tha L
thank u maam

The Artist In Me
thank u just make my dog jewelery lol

dc_speaks
thanks folk, i appreciate that and my loot is all our loot

Exquisitely Black
preach

Terry
no greed and avarice for me, just my kids and fam, more important tyhan me

Keli
thanks siter, dont want respect, another r word, results




IntrospectiveGoddess
my brain is the community brain

Anonymous
i dont give a where he lives, thanks but no thanks he one of us and a good bruh

Lovebabz
babz, i mean momma folm str8 lol


swiley \memphis
steve, we used to kick it hard, blog folk dont know bout being in blod, im gone hit u

N.I.A. naturally... said...

I really enjoy reading your blog. Congratulations on your store's success.
Peace & Blessings

The Pew View said...

Baby 40 stacks reminds me of that time Mabel won a pancake eating contest down at the church. We was doing a fundraiser you know. Take care now.

one more thang baby we ain't forgot to answer yo question we just answering a few at a time. Be patient baby like the womens be when you mens can't get it up.

Signed
Ruthie Ann

Eryn said...

That's very good to hear about a community of black men succeeding through ambition and initiative and most importantly, supporting one another. And you hit the nail on the head with that last paragraph!

LadyWritesTheBlues said...

Hey man, we're dog lovers (a 4 pound poodle and a pit-and the poodle rules the hubby's pit, by the way), so I love hearing about the shop!

I think it's understood-we all like hearing about a young BLACK man handling his business while making his dreams come true. Don't shut us out on that-that ish is INSPIRING!!!

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

niaNaturally
thank u sista


The Pew View
lol

ErynMyisha
thanks honey and i try

ladyWritesTheBlues
home slice u would fight for me u biased but i love u and the hubby and thatsn the real folk

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