Hiring for a new business

Creating a team was initially our biggest challenge when we first started. As we had a fix date to roll out operations, it became a little tricky when we only had me, Aiman and our Barista.

Starting up this cafe has taught me a lot of things, especially about people. I can tell you one thing, never ever judge someone before you give them a chance (of course you have to take a calculated risk for this!) - the team I've created today consist of individuals who are passionate and determine, fun-loving and cheerful people, but (for some) it's the last traits you'd ever find out about them!

Initially we were frustrated that every time we put out a hiring ad we get no replies. After some time, we figured out the problem though - we are CORPORATE people. Our audience are not our target market, our followers weren't the ones we want to attract. Our YCM network at that time was of little value in the F&B industry.

We went the extra mile to post our ad on different portals, fellow cafe owners passed on CVs to us and marketing was on level 5! Slowly, we had resumes and CVs coming in. Oh well, we could definitely do with this few individuals we have for now or so we thought. First day of soft launch was madness! But it was good kinda madness and bless my little small team, they did very very well :)))

Continuous marketing has proven to be the cheapest yet most effective method of creating awareness, if done the right way.

...and just like that, we had strings of CVs coming in from individuals interested to work at Double A! Alhamdulillah, there are even people with great background and experiences :))

Today, Double A is a strong fun team of 7 and growing! And these individuals are so so passionate about learning that I feel so proud just looking at them serve customers with big smiles and practicing when there are no orders. So very hardworking and driven, bless them all!

I really feel so blessed with God's initial test and solution all in a span of one week. Truly very grateful, Alhamdulillah! I'm beyond happy that I miss my team right after we close our shop everyday. It's going to be a tough time for me to go back to work soon.

A Meaningful Day

Over the weekend, Aiman and I both decided to do a dry run for Double A - at 80% complete. Only because we had a motivated team eager to serve customers, whip up some wicked beverages and offer amazing desserts! So off we went :)

Night before we went to bed at 4am setting up the POS system, sweeping and mopping the floors at 11pm before the pipe decided to burst and was soaked at midnight because the main for the water can only be handled by management and they weren't around at that time...testing out coffee machine and rearranging our set up with no lights (because lights for the front of the shop was not installed yet at that time)....basically we were in a state where we thought it was a bit crazy to want to open the shop for a dry run.

But you know what? We woke up with the biggest motivation to make do with what we had! Being the corporate people that Aiman and I are, we tend to do things a little different from how it is usually done in the F&B industry but oh heck - we've sent out invitations so we cannot back out.

16th of May turned out to be one of the best days we've ever had together, Aiman and I. We had our apron on, our Superteam with us, handled the cash machine, served customers and cleaned up all in that 3 hours that we were opened! We served about 80 customers who went back happy, and that was the only thing that mattered to us :)

It was so surreal that I am so so so grateful to God for blessing both Aiman and I with all these challenges and rezeki. You have no idea how much I'm in love with our new business. There's definitely a lot to do, and a long long way more to the end but Alhamdulillah for a start we have motivating team and I just can't. First day down and I was missing my staff already.

As I was having dinner with Aiman (more like supper since we hardly have time for meals anymore these days) I looked at him and tears rolled down my cheeks..."I miss my Double A team already. Why aren't we working on Monday and Tuesday? :((("

And all Aiman did was....laughed at me. He really has no idea how much I love my team guys, he knows me very well like that.

Double A Cafe KL coming soon!

So much is happening for both Aiman and I right now and everything feels so quick. Soon our lil bub will be up and ready to operate! We're planning a little family day at the cafe - more like opening doors to what may be the best or worse critics, planning a private event and assembling together all brands for the official launch. Fuuuuh! Make way for panda eyebags, they're designer :D

Gosh, you'd think you'll only need to make sure there is coffee at the shop but hell no, so much more things to ensure than that  when opening up your own business. Definitely a steep learning curve for us and we can't stop counting our blessings for this opportunity He has given, Alhamdulillah. It's very much like a one-way street, you decide to build a business and then you start settling all expenditures and then there is not turning back man! We gotta make sure we can convince our strategic investors that this idea of ours would work. On top of that hope and pray that things would fall into place as planned InsyaAllah. In life, I guess you cannot predict what's coming your way, but you can definitely make the best out of what you have at that point in time.

So what is Double A?

When we created it, we envisioned Double A to be your neighbourhood cafe in Ara Damansara working towards an aim of bringing quality coffee and desserts for customers. We believe in carrying the best of Malaysia's home-bake "brands" at our place! How many of you have experienced the challenge of crazy cravings for cakes? But then that favourite cake supplier of yours sells only whole cakes. But heyyy, I still want that tiny tiny one slice. Just one.

Here at Double A, we plan to do just that for you! Give you that small bite pieces from any of your favourite suppliers!

Currently, we are working with three amazing brands for our first launch and I've learn nothing but only the greatest tips from them. Exciting times! :)) Follow us on FB (Double A Cafe KL) or Instagram (doubleacfe) to see the brands we're about to reveal! 

Opposites Attract

They say opposites attract.

Aiman and I....we are like night and day. So glaringly different.

• I get ready very quickly. Aiman takes a long time to get ready. Very disciplined at having breakfast first before getting ready for work. I'm the kind who'd jump straight off from bed and get ready. 
• I prefer feeling stressed out int he beginning whilst Aiman prefers doing things last minute and feel stressed out hours before an event. 
• When I say 8.30, I mean 8.20. When Aiman says 8.30, he means 8.40. 

Right this moment, I just told him I finish work at 7. He says ok...

but still arrives at 8. Oh Aimannnn :D