Be a Part of Something Sweet - Taste No Evil Muffin Company

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PROGRESS UPDATE 05/29/08


BEEN HERE BEFORE? CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROGRESS!!


BREAKING OUT...South Austin Style
Trailer Concessions are booming in South Austin. They are part of what defines it. In addition to being booming, they are a low cost, fun way to get a food service business going, and I have been handed the perfect opportunity to get mine started right here, right now.

THE CONCEPT
Taste No Evil Muffin Company will be providing muffins, desserts and other sweet treats made with all natural ingredients. Muffins will be baked on site, in a renovated antique trolley bus located in front of one of the most popular and iconic Mexican food places in South Austin, Maria's Taco Express, where over 1000 people come in to eat every day. (www.tacoexpress.com)

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Most small businesses start with an influx of cash from small business loans, credit cards, and helpful friends and family members and thats where I'm hoping you'll come in...I invite you to be an angel investor in the Taste No Evil Muffin Company.

I've got $7000.00 invested to start with, plus the $1500.00 I've already put down as a deposit on the trailer.

I need about $11,500.00 more to make this thing fly right, $13000.00 to make it comfy.

I've set the goal for this fundable at $7000.00, just over half of what I need, but I'm hoping we can raise the full $11,500.00. If not, it's back to the credit cards I suppose. I'm headed forward either way.

A lot of you have offered to help in any way that you can and I am so grateful for all your support. So for all of you that have asked, those of you that haven't but will, AND those of you who just think it would be cool to help someone get a leg up... here's your opportunity. If everyone I know contributed just $25.00 - We'd totally have it.

I would be ever grateful to you for anything you'd be willing to contribute. It all helps.

HOW IT WORKS
The way this thing works is, if we manage to raise the full $7000.00 in 25 days the money will be deposited into my new business checking account and you will have successfully helped fund a fabulous new business. If not, no money will be taken from your account, and I'll be left to the mercy of the evil banking industry. (thats a little guilt trip Catholic style for good measure he he he) It's , also important to note that even if you contribute today, NO MONEY WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL THE WE REACH THE GOAL!

Look out below where I've added a few more things for your consideration.

Anyone who donates $50.00 or more will get a free half a dozen muffins of their choice.

Anyone who donates $100.00 or more will get a free T-shirt, half a dozen muffins, of their choice.

Anyone who donates $250.00 or more will get a free T-Shirt, a dozen muffins of their choice and an "I'm not evil" card that will provide 25% off muffins for the first year.

Everyone who donates $500.00 or more will get a free T-Shirt, a dozen muffins of their choice and an " I'm an angel" card that will provide 50% off muffins for the first year.

Everyone gets that warm fuzzy feeling of helping someone get started.

WANT TO KNOW MORE BEFORE YOU GIVE? . . . A LITTLE HISTORY

Why Muffins you ask? WELL....

I have just under 20 years experience in the food service industry having served in every position from dishwasher, prep cook & line cook to busser, server and manager. I have a degree in Culinary Arts and have successfully managed two catering companies. After a short 3 year break as a software developer I decided I had to get back to doing what I loved and that is making food and talking to people. Nothing makes me happier than making people happy, and what makes people happier than food?

PRESENT DAY
After attending culinary school, I did my internship at Cafe Josie (www.cafejosie.com) , cooking under local celebrity Chef Charles Mayes (an amazing Chef and all around great guy). I was promoted to manager and have spent the last three years learning from his vast culinary experience and business saavy. I remain there still today and will until the end of June.

As fun as it is to manage such a fantastic restaurant with great character and fine food, I've always wanted to have a place, a business, of my own.

MY FIRST ATTEMPT ON MY OWN
My first step was starting Itty Bitty Gourmet. An all organic and all natural individually prepared meal delivery service. I prepared a fresh menu every week of 7 different meals, a soup or salad of the week, and 2 different kind of muffins. Itty Bitty was a hit and so I spent the better part of the year delivering healthy meals to busy Austinites on my three days off a week. Itty bitty was coming up, but there were a few small issues that needed correction. 1. I needed help (I have that now) 2. I needed more time (don't forget, I was still managing Cafe Josie 40 hours a week) and 3. I needed a location (Check out the amazing development in the location department below!)
So if I have now, everything I needed then, WHY SWITCH TO MUFFINS? Well here's the thing....

BAKING SUCKS! . . . Just kidding
When I started Itty Bitty Gourmet, I hated baking. This part I'm not kidding about. - I HATED it and to top it off, I wasn't any good at it. In the beginning months I probably had to throw away 25 dozen muffins for failure to make them come out right. ( Baking is VERY different from cooking) I added the muffins on to my menu as a bonus, figuring maybe people would order them every now and again but what I found was people LOVE muffins!! All kinds of muffins....there were requests to ship them to California, Dallas, and Massachusetts. There were requests to get ONLY muffins delivered. There were people who ordered up to 2 dozen muffins in addition to their regular meal plans, and if I needed to take a week off from cooking, it was the MUFFINS that people ordered extra of the week before to keep in their freezers for the week I was away. It was nuts. I really had no idea that muffins were so popular. Now that I've stopped running Itty Bitty Gourmet, the woman who used to HATE to bake, wakes up frequently thinking " mmmmm.... I'm gonna make some muffins today!" Even more nuts? I've become quite good at it, and have even begun making up my own recipes because the cookbooks just aren't doing it for me anymore.

JUST A THOUGHT (aka THE INSPIRATION)
So here I am again, ready to go out on my own and I've decided to start smaller this time. I've figured a couple things in...

1. Go with what you know...and what do I know? PEOPLE LOVE MUFFINS

2. Keep it simple....If you do too many things you can't do any of them well. So I'm sticking just with the sweets right now.

3. Have a location ... People need to come in and meet me, sample the products, smell the muffins and be inspired.

4.Have help... Help is a really great thing, and I've got the perfect staff lined up and ready to go! (you'll meet them below)



IT TAKES A LOT...
It takes a lot to start any company and I've done my research this time and done it right. Here's a summary of what it's gonna take to start a muffin company out of a renovated trolley.

THE LOCATION
Maria Corbalan, owner of Maria's Taco Express, a friend, and a former client of mine had a trolley for sale in front of Taco Express. This is one of the free trolley busses that you see around Austin. Its not running however, merely the shell of the old bus, but in great condition with all wood inside. Maria originally planned to use it as a boutique.
I called to ask her how much it was and she offered to lease it to me right where it is. A perfect location right off a major through way, just south of downtown Austin. ( I also have the option to buy it!)

In addition to leasing me the trolley, she has also offered me the opportunity to take my muffins into her restaurant and sell them directly to her clientèle who are already eating there. Maria has no dessert menu and there are no sweets in sight so This is a fantastic opportunity.

Maria is an amazing woman who is being exceptionally generous in order to help me get started, and I can't tell you how grateful I am. (Thank you Maria!)

THE KITCHEN

I have worked out a trade with Portabla (a wonderful cafe and catering company in West Austin) as my commissary kitchen for making the muffin batter, a major requirement of the health department. Not only will I be making my batter there, but my muffins will also be sold at Portabla.

I have taken out a small loan to get started and paid my deposit and first months rent on the trolley....

I have incorporated as Taste No Evil Muffin Company, LLC

I have contacted the health department and gathered all the requirements needed to plan the renovations on the trolley in order to make it into a mobile kitchen.

I have written the recipe for muffin base that will be the staple of my business and come up with 6 recipes to start with.

I have purchased insurance for the business.

I have purchased the domain name for the website www.tastenoevilmuffins.com


I've hired a master electrician to put an electric pole in the ground for me to run off of.

I've hired the painter, Michael Peschka, to make the trolley look more funky, fun, and NOTICABLE. . . Austin style. Work starts next week if you want to swing by and check it out, or check back to the website for picture updates.
There is a sample below of Michael's work and I've posted one of the reviews of his work just below.

Here is a mock up of the stlye of the outside of the trolley - we're gonna go a little more "happy muffin" than this, but you get the idea.

Here's the review about Michael's work....
Best Restaurant Décor Design: Michael Peschka

Though we appreciate the work that turned the inside of the Treehouse Italian Grill into a rustic Italian trattoria and the truly hilarious scenes he painted in the bathrooms at Round Rock's New York Deli, the most definitive examples of muralist Michael Peschka's work can be found inside, outside, and on top of Taco X-press. This adorable work-in-progress began with kitschy décor on the interior walls, progressed to the larger-than-life statue of taco queen Maria Corbalan on the roof, and rambled out to the charming village scenes on the comfortable patio, turning the whole place into a cozy Mexican village. Part of the fun of going to Maria's is just to see what Peschka will do next.

Ok moving on from the artist, though he is pretty impressive isn't he? . . .

I've gotten a new address for the trolley (2931 South Lamar Austin, Texas 78704)

I've priced out all the kitchen equipment I'll need (Can you say "OMG!!!!"?)

This space will now hold the following equipment. . .
( A 3 compartment dishwashing sink, A Hand Sink with soap and paper towel dispenser, Laminate or tile flooring, A double banger convection oven, A cooling rack, A water tank, hot water heater, and waste water disposal system, A propane tank to run the ovens off of, A ventilation System, An air conditioning system, A refrigerator, A freezer(maybe 2), Some Splash gaurd to make the walls washable, A hand washing poster, Some pot holders, A giant fan,

deep breath in . . .

We'll also need a walk up window, New light fixtures, Air conditioning / heat, A little brass polish, A bakery display case, Splash Gaurds to make the surface smooth and washable, T-Shirts made, A cash register, A lock box, A credit card processing machine, A laptop, A phone line, A stairway, ramp and entrance gate, Awnings to protect customers from the hot Texas sun....or rain, A couple of tables to put outside for guests to hang out at. (I've already got the benches from inside the antique trolley for seating) candy inventory, bags and logo stamps, tongs, rubber gloves, pastry bags



and last but not least a sign!!! (Michael is going to paint one for me)

After the remodel all that's left is registration tags for the trolley(done!) and the blessing of the health department (by way of a permit), and I'm on my way.

I'M PLANNING TO OPEN THE DOORS ON FRIDAY JULY 4TH 2008
but muffin sales will begin inside Maria's by the end of May.

SO HERE'S WHY ITS GONNA WORK. . .
There's a lot to do but I'm sure this business is going to fly. Check out "Hey Cupcake" on Congress Avenue....they sell over well over 1000 cupcakes a day, and they don't even have a restaurant to sell directly in. I only need to sell 250 muffins a day, 5 days a week to make my monthly obligations. We've got a great location, lots of foot traffic, lots of drive by traffic all day long, and seated customers who need something sweet.

We've got a great Idea, a great chef, decades of experience in the food service industry, iron will determination, the support of loving family and friends, a good heart and a positive attitude.

In addition to everything listed above, most importantly, I've got a great staff on board.

MEET THE STAFF OF THE TASTE NO EVIL MUFFIN COMPANY

Norman Comparini - Consultant / Mr. Fix it / Marketing Director - Norman is a seasoned entrepreneur, completely competent "fix it" guy, former baking assistant for the Itty Bitty Gourmet project, and all around renaissance man. He will be on board to pick up shifts selling muffins, baking muffins and fixing up the trolley from start to finish.

Kate Wilder - Muffin Sales / delivery - Kate's got a long history of getting things done. She's just returned from Maryland where she was managing a real estate office and is now totally enthused to sell muffins. Who'da thunk it? I'm so lucky! In addition to selling muffins, she will also be helping me with the baking and helping Norman with the fix it projects. She is a handy dandy woman and an enthusiastic and supportive team member.

Sarah Saltwick - Muffin company manager- Sarah is a playwright, barista, and coffee connisueur. She is currently managing the coffee bar at Central Market South here in Austin. She is also the genius who came up with the name for this company. In addition to being skilled in writing, managing and coffee making, she is also a foodie to be reckoned with and will be a valued team member in the areas of baking, recipe ideas, customer service and taste testing. Sarah will be managing the trolley car/muffin making business when ever I am not.

Behind the scenes support includes - Maria Corbalan - Mentor and Business Diva,
Bookeeper - Liz, and Attorney Travis!

What else could we need? Ohhhh yeah.... MORE MONEY!!!

SO AGAIN, HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP If everyone I know contributed just $25.00, we'd have this thing licked. I've set the goal for this fundable at $7000.00, just over half of what I need, but I'm hoping we can raise the full $11,500.00.

HOW IT WORKS
If we raise the full $7000.00 in 25 days the money will be deposited into my new business checking account and you will have successfully helped fund a fabulous new business. If not, no money will be taken from your account, also note that even if you contribute today, NO MONEY WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL THE WE REACH THE GOAL!

Don't forget about the fabulous things you'll gain in return!

Anyone who donates $50.00 or more will get a free half a dozen muffins of their choice.

Anyone who donates $100.00 or more will get a free T-shirt, half a dozen muffins, of their choice.

Anyone who donates $250.00 or more will get a free T-Shirt, a dozen muffins of their choice and an "I'm not evil" card that will provide 25% off muffins for the first year.

Everyone who donates $500.00 or more will get a free T-Shirt, a dozen muffins of their choice and an " I'm an angel" card that will provide 50% off muffins for the first year.

Everyone gets that warm fuzzy feeling of helping someone get started.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Alrighty then, there it is. Thats my pitch. Love you guys! Thanks for everything, and thanks for helping in advance. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. karisa@tastenoevilmuffins.com. If you have any trouble making a donation because of pay pal or the fundable page, let me know that in an email as well.

ONE LAST REQUEST...
Oh yeah, just one last request I would be completely grateful to you if you would pass this link on to anyone you think might be willing to help out.

UPDATES - May 20, 2008 Well well well, all is going well. We've hit a snag or two...but we're rolling on through. Here's whats up. . .

AS OF RIGHT NOW WE HAVE REACHED 16% OF OUR GOAL AND 14 DAYS LEFT TO GO!!...That means you guys have pledged well over 1000.00 to this cause collectively!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

It turns out that Portabla isn't going to work out as my commissary kitchen so, I'm off to find a new baking spot. Happily though, they are still interested in selling my muffins in their store! If you have any suggestions, for a new baking spot please let me know. I'll need to do production day on Sunday and bake every morning super early. The kitchen must have a convection oven. I do however have a few prospects of my own in that department. Looks like the Whip In might work a deal with me, and the other great option is Buenos Airies Cafe...which by the way, if you haven't been to, you should go. They are located on S. First and Oltorf and make the best French fries and salads in the city.(my humble opinion of course)

The painting of the trolley is coming along nicely. Michael's got a pretty good chunk started with the base coat and some fantastic red and yellow trim. Its already screaming Taste No Evil Muffins and it doesn't even have the little muffin guys on it yet!

I don't think I mentioned to you earlier the floor being rotted away in the back right corner of the trolley. Hmmmm. Well it is. If I put an oven on there, it'll definitely fall through. Did you know convection ovens weigh over 600 pounds?!?!?!? Crazy huh? Luckily...Norman is a genius and is saving the day. He's cut out the rotted part and we're putting in new sub flooring. Then we're gonna over the whole thing with new linoleum. We DID ATTEMPT to take up the old linoleum. HA! Buses apparently have linoleum that is never meant to be removed. We're shooting for plan B.

Sarah and I have been hard at work finalizing the recipes to make them just right, and we've come up with the first 11 muffins we'll be offering. This week I'll be working on the fat free line! But here's what we've got so far. BREAKFAST MUFFINS Blueberry (the standard...can't have a muffin company without it) Baked Banana Walnut Flax Meal Morning Glory Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Cream Cheese Coffee Cake DESSERT MUFFINS Dark Chocolate Cherry Chocolate Chocolate Chip Tres Leches Parfait Cherry Crumb Cobbler Apple Crisp Peach Pie

The sinks, the plumbing and the electrical systems and installation plans are on their way and I am looking forward to their arrival. (but not so looking forward to trying to install them.) That's a shot of me removing some paneling and labeling it for replacement. Things are underway for sure and hey, thanks for keeping up with this. Much Love!

UPDATES - May 29, 2008 Here are the amazing accomplishments of the last week!!

AS OF RIGHT NOW WE HAVE REACHED 46% OF OUR GOAL With 6 DAYS LEFT TO GO!!... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVEN'T PLEDGED YET, AND YOU WANT TO THERE ARE ONLY SIX DAYS LEFT TILL THE END!! (no pressure, no pressure) If you have pledged....Thank you so much!! I've been working hard on T-shirt designs for you, and getting those muffin recipes in tip top shape. Please email me your address and T-shirt size so I can send you a thank you and your gifts when this thing closes up. (karisa@tastenoevilmuffins.com)

The painting is coming along great!! I love love love the color, and the DOORS!!! are my favorite part so far...well, they were my favorite part until the muffin people started getting painted on!! Check out the progression below, and if you're in town, you should really swing by and see it in person. Its looking great on the pictures but it looks even better in real life. Michael is such a fantastic artist and also, a dream to work with. I've never met a more laid back, agreeable artist!! Thanks Michael.

Meet Kate. I've mentioned her before but somehow she never shows up in the pictures! Well thats mostly because all the pictures are taken with her camera. In addition to being our right hand woman photographer, Kate is also our #1 sales chick, my form designer and Normans handy dandy fix up the trolley assistant. Below you'll find a picture of us together, all grubbed out from working in the trolley mid day while the temperature is far above 100 degrees. We're gonna start calling it the muffin sauna.

I know I mentioned to you last week that the back right corner of the trolley floor was rotted out right? We found the culprit! It appears that the emergency exit window was not properly sealed. Norman discovered the problem, as you can see below where he is on the outside of the trolley peeking in through the ill fitted window, and he has corrected it. You can see him working it out in the second frame. If I haven't told you lately how grateful I am for Norman, let me just tell you now. Norman is my hero. He is a life saver and I would not be able to do this project with out him. In fact, as we speak...he's finishing up the preparation of the floor for linoleum. I LOVE that man. Don't feel sorry for him though, He isn't doing ALL of this just out of the kindness of his heart. He's no dummy, He's negotiating with me for a major chunk of shares in the muffin biz.

Below you'll find my favorite co founder fixin up the floor. More Kudos to the Norm for his heroic efforts. Next week I'll show you the pictures of the new linoleum, I promise.

I have yet to receive my sinks and plumbing. I am assured the order is on its way. Holiday weekend must have slowed things down a bit, but thats ok. We apparently needed the extra time to get that floor in properly. I'm excited about the Whip In, becoming the host to Taste No Evil Muffin Company's baking extravaganza, and have been testing out their kitchen on and off this week. I'm hoping one last muffin run on Saturday will seal the deal. They are some of the nicest people I've met thus far in Austin and I'm really excited to think what a great team we'll make. Check out their website, better yet, go by and patronize their fabulous establishment. They offer all sorts of fine beers, wines, cheeses, and all natural and organic convenience foods and are located just North of Oltorf on I35. Tell em I sent ya. Ask for Rae...she's a master at helping you pick out wines and a stellar person to know! But if she's not there...you're still in great hands. Here's a shot of me with a hammer, just to prove Norman's not the only one working around here. Well guys...times running short on the fundable, but any help you have given, or can give is very much appreciated. Its so great to have something so fun to work toward. I'll keep up with the updates. Much Love!