10/09/2025
what gets to me with this review is that it’s simultaneously vague, mean-spirited, and has a small kernel of truth to it.
i think that entrepreneurs/small business owners have to have some degree of inability to take feedback or ability to tune out criticism; a key trait (imo) of a successful leader is decisiveness, and the trade-off with that is not making everyone happy. personally, part of my appeal is indeed my strong opinions and bull-headedness, and yes i know that gets me into hot water. but on the same token, i do often ask people in my circle for feedback and i do want to improve. random opinions spouted on review sites, however, carry far less stock for me. lastly, my ability or inability to take criticism is more a discussion for me and my therapist or my closest confidants and not for one-way internet conversation.
to cast aspersions on the success or failure of a business simply because you had a bad reaction hits me as truly mean-spirited. if so many people recommended the place and you had a sour experience, perhaps you just hit an off moment. as the saying goes, those who can’t do critique.
my final thought is really a thing that i need to keep working on and remind myself of. i make hundreds of drinks a day and get asked the same questions dozens of times an hour. i get tired. but i know that for each custie it’s a new and novel experience and i need to try my best to make each and every experience positively remarkable. frankly, i know that i can get short when i’m tired and worn out and that’s a cue to me to take a break. work fewer hours and fewer days. go touch grass. i’m in this for the long haul and i can’t let burnout get me down. we all have our off days, but as a public personality the expectation for me is much greater and my conduct should reflect that. i’m only human and i like to think that new yorkers are known for being kind while not necessarily being cloyingly nice. it’s all a balance. i like being wry, sardonic, and to-the-point, but i could also do well to soften some of my edges and ramp up the customer service. idk, tell me what you think about these musings but say it to me irl.
