08/26/2026
Today was an amazing day. You all never cease to amaze me when I pull out all the stops for a celebration day. Today being back to school for most.
With that said it's time for the straight shooter and end of year 2 for b's Tiny Cafe. Same time we pulled it last year. I always said I'm completely upfront with the numbers/ costs so I'm putting the true reports out so all understand exactly what the ladies and I are looking at for the future of the cafe in Milton as a brick and mortar space.
1: It's very important to know that in 2 years I have not taken a salary yet from the business. These reports easily show why! Year 1 I even rolled all the charge tips back into the business. In 2026, year 2 I took home only the tips for wage. I have been otherwise living exclusively off of my personal finances.
2: Sales from last year to this year are up $13,516. $11,000 of those dollars were the addition of High Teas 3 times a year and bulk special pastry orders, a few farmers markets. All according to plan from the ladies and I year end last year. The ladies being my awesome daughters.
Unfortunately the cost of goods, butter, milk, eggs, heating and oven fuel, other utilities, etc. averaged up $9500.00.
Rent b's Tiny Cafe for 1/2 day usage until 1pm = $1350 per month
Utilities for the home kitchen average = $350 per month
(The cafe itself does not have a kitchen)
Total Rent & Utilities Average: $1700.00 / $20,400 per year
The difference between this year and last is just over a wash at a +1.7% difference with taxes going out, cost of goods/ ingredients, annual licenses, insurance, overall business expenses to operate increasing significantly. I literally watch 3 different places to do my bulk milk, butter orders each week to get the best current price. Sometimes ordering from 3 different places!
3: Daily sales in comparison to events hosted facts:
1 High Tea event makes as much $ as a full week at the cafe at 28 guests. However if I were to do them monthly the pattern of sell out would fade as the excitement wouldn’t be there for the something extra special.
1 Farmers Market makes more than and average day at the cafe. I spend 7 hours of prep time for a market and hosting it personally vs. 11+ hours a day for the cafe.
This tells me that if brick and mortar at this time isn’t the way to go that b’s can still be a success in private events and farmers markets seasonally.
4: The last chart is really cool. My system gives me an overview of other similar businesses in the area that use TOAST. I can go into greater detail however this shows how much the economy has taken a toll of traffic, how people choose to spend. 150 MILLION PERCENT (as you know I'll say!) understandable. We have had so many layoffs, freezes, pay cuts in our area and it hits hard.
Why I decided to get more involved and start MGSB and be on 2 of our town boards as I see the effects first hand and KNOW how important it is that we retain our residents & businesses and allow support for business development and growth in our community.
b's Tiny Cafe is trending up in traffic and sales dollars and we trended if you'll notice down significantly to others in payroll.
Why? Because I do most all by myself. Yes I hire people in the summer to work Tuesdays so I may showcase b's at the farmers market but that's just about the only time you see other bodies as a face at b's...Yes I get baked goods in the summer when it was projected to be busier than year one from other local bakers to offset my additional time baking and give them a chance to show their talents... Yes my mother bakes an item or 2 a week for the case to also help me have a little bit of a life outside of the business!!!
5: I average a minimum of 55 hours a week between cafe open hours and at home baking. In the summer with the market or when there's a High Tea I average closer to 65.
Yes 0.00 salary!
Why do I do it. That's easy, all of you. The regulars = 85% of & b's cafe family that have worked so hard to make this happen.
The people who have asked their companies to regularly place baked goods orders from b's, the people from the town and community center continually uptalking b's to be at events. b's cafe family individuals who place orders special orders when they know it's been a rough week/ month. The groups that have chosen b's to gather monthly, weekly. Each individual person who has made a point over 2 years to always make a trip to b's in some form. You all blow me away. I cry even thinking about the fact at how much everyone has done for b's and me personally in the toughest 2 years of my families life with the loss of perfect Zelda.
6: b's is not sustainable at this rate and I truly believe the ladies and I have pulled out all the stops. I'm not looking for ideas as my workload cannot take much more!
***What I'm asking is that you continue to and if you aren't already, please SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS. It's not just me, look at the reports of peers. It needs to happen now and be consistent long term.
I appreciate you all so much and am hanging on here to keep this beautiful space to gather, where many of us know each other's names/ lives instead of just being a grab and go name on a cup. b's is community and I need you. A humble and super grateful me.
Point and case... thank you to whom ever left these little freestanding hot dogs hiding in places around the cafe today. It made me laugh so hard cleaning up! b's cafe family!!- b
