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November 8, 2004

Café society | A chat with Bonnie Loubier, manager of Café Bon Bon LLC in Lewiston.

By Dorothy Ogrodowczyk
Founded: March 2004
Projected revenues, 2004: $136,791
Projected revenues, 2005: $151,029
Address: 205 Main St., Lewiston
Phone: 783-8200
Web: www.cafebonbon.net

Describe what your company does.
We serve deli sandwiches, smoothies, iced tea and coffee, and Italian soda. We have wireless high-speed Internet access available to customers [with laptop computers], and two computers with Internet access available for 10 cents a minute. We offer services like sending and receiving faxes, copying and printing. We also have a small library of books and magazines, and a lounge area with a couch, chairs and a coffee table.

How many employees do you have?
I have four part-time, two full-time and me. I found that high-school kids were the best [employees] I've had. They're trustworthy, and willing to listen and learn.

When did you first get the idea for the company?
I was working at Home Depot, but I needed a career change. My husband and I decided we wanted to open a coffee shop that served Green Mountain [Coffee Roasters Inc. brand] coffee, our favorite kind. I wanted to attract people from the [nearby] bank, the Department of Human Services and Central Maine Community College.

What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Financing was [tricky]. I got a Small Business Administration loan through Mechanics Savings Bank [after being turned down by several other banks]. When our house was reassessed, it came out to be good collateral for loan. We put a third mortgage on it, and Zimmie's Comics [Loubier's husband's store in Lewiston] acted as the guarantor.

How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
It cost $70,992, from the bank, owner equity and a grant from the city.

What was your first day in business like?
I wasn't here. I had the flu for the first two days. The day before opening, I worked all day and night, about 24 hours. My husband was manager for the first two days. The grand opening was at 7 a.m., but we had to close for a few hours because we weren't ready.

What have you achieved since then?
I have [attracted] repeat customers and established a rapport with Bates College. I've also achieved my advertising goal. I have a 30-second radio spot twice a day on CNN-1240. It airs in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

What's the competition like and how do you differ?
There's the Manic Café, a nonprofit business that's been around for about three years. I've had training through Green Mountain coffee on how to be a barista [coffee server], and I've trained all my employees. I have high standards with how [my coffee] comes out.

What are your plans for growth?
I'd like to keep it small and open it up Friday and Saturday nights for live acoustic entertainment.

Describe a mistake you made in your business and what you learned from it.
I spent too much money on payroll. I'd estimated $3,000 a month, but in the beginning it was $1,700 a week. September was the first month I haven't had to borrow to pay it. I didn't train my employees enough, either. I had comment cards for customers, and most of the complaints were that we were too slow. I would have had better trained staff in the beginning. Also, don't hire friends. I had to let a friend go because he was late constantly, and he got nervous with customers. When I let him go, he got really upset. We haven't talked since.

If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I'd invest half in non-risky stocks and I'd invest the other half in the company, upgrading my equipment and building, and offering benefits to my employees.

As a barista, can you tell me what a venti skinny mocha Valencia is?
Venti is the largest size Starbucks has, and skinny means it's made with skim milk. Mocha means it's made with chocolate. But Valencia? Sorry.

New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to dorothyo@mainebiz.biz.

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