The Journey of My Two-Year Struggle with a Bubble Tea Shop in Seattle
The Beginning
I had been running a bubble tea shop in the United States for three years. Today, it's time to say goodbye. My name is Novecca, and I'm here to share my story with you. As you know, my partner, Panter, and I owned two bubble tea shops in Seattle. Recently, we found a suitable person to take over one of the shops, so we decided to close it. Today, I want to take this opportunity to talk to you about the process of selling a bubble tea shop and my two-year journey in the business.
The Decision to Open a Bubble Tea Shop
At first, I never thought I would open a bubble tea shop. However, my friend, who later became my partner, had already successfully opened two bubble tea shops in Seattle. During the pandemic, many stores were being转租, and the prices were very low. He found a great location in Raymond downtown, across from Trader Joe's, with plenty of parking. My husband and I quickly decided to rent the place and turn it into a bubble tea shop.
Choosing the Brand
We named the shop "一方水管茶Raymond店." Since my partner was the regional总代理 of the "一方" brand and had two successful stores under that brand, we didn't consider any other brands. Looking back, I realize that this decision was a bit hasty.
The Challenges of Running a Bubble Tea Shop
From purchasing equipment to hiring staff, I was involved in the process, but not very much due to my lack of experience. I mainly followed my partner's lead. I quickly discovered that there were many challenges, especially in hiring and management.
The Importance of the Store Manager
Since we didn't plan to manage the store ourselves, we hired a store manager to handle all the day-to-day operations. In addition to a salary and bonuses, we also offered a share of the profits. However, finding the right store manager was extremely difficult. We needed someone with strong abilities but also willing to work for a relatively low salary.
Management Issues
After the store manager took over, we faced many problems due to differences in management styles and理念. There were conflicts within the management team, and the manager's inability to manage the staff led to operational failures. I remember spending many late nights on the phone, trying to resolve issues between my partner, the manager, and the team leaders. It felt like a never-ending drama.
The Grand Opening
After five months of hard work, our shop finally opened in September 2020. Despite our busy schedules, we put a lot of effort into the first year of operation. We paid close attention to customer reviews on Google and worked with the team to improve the quality of our products and service.
Dealing with Difficult Customers
During the pandemic, wearing masks made it challenging to show a friendly attitude, but we still tried our best. However, we also encountered some unreasonable customers. One customer demanded to see the manager and had a history of causing trouble at other stores. It was frustrating, but we learned to be patient with the majority of our customers.
Marketing and Promotion
We were very passionate about promoting our brand. We took our drinks to various places and took pictures to post on Instagram. Our efforts paid off, and our sales were quite good, reaching around $500,000 to $600,000 a year.
The Downfall
Our business started to decline when I made another wrong decision - opening a second store. We thought the Redmond store was doing well and had a stable team, so we decided to expand. We hired a new manager and team leaders from an ice cream shop to run the Redmond store while we focused on the second store in Cleveland downtown.
The Mistakes in Location Selection
The location of the Cleveland store seemed ideal - it was in the downtown area, close to a park, and the rent was low. However, we didn't do enough research. We didn't consider the competition, the seasonal fluctuations in customer traffic, or the parking situation.
Renovation and Operational Issues
The store was small and in an old building, which caused many problems during the renovation. We had to rewire the electricity and apply for permits, which increased our costs. After opening, we also had issues with the plumbing, which led to conflicts with the neighboring store.
Management Collapse
The new management team had different理念 and ways of doing things, which led to a breakdown in communication and trust. The manager and team leaders started to turn the staff against us, and we were unable to implement our plans. Eventually, we had to fire the entire team.
The End of an Era
The situation was very stressful, and we lost our passion for the business. We decided to sell the Cleveland store. It was a difficult decision as we had invested a lot of money, but we knew it was the right thing to do. We found a buyer, and I heard that they plan to open a snack bar. I wish them all the best.
Lessons Learned
This experience has taught me many valuable lessons. First, I learned to make well-thought-out decisions and do thorough research before taking action. Second, I realized the importance of having a stable and reliable management team. Third, I understand the need to be flexible and adaptable in the face of challenges.
Looking to the Future
We will use the money we received from selling the Cleveland store to improve the Redmond store. We will address the issues raised by customers, such as expired products. I believe that with the right approach, we can turn things around and make the Redmond store a success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, running a bubble tea shop in the United States can be challenging, but it is also possible to succeed. It requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. I am grateful for the experience and the lessons I have learned. I hope my story can inspire others who are considering starting a business in the food industry. Thank you for listening, and I look forward to seeing you in the next video.