Disneyland started in a recession......

It's a sad fact that pretty much everybody knows people who have lost their jobs in this recession. It seems like the question to avoid at parties is, “How’s work?”

But for the wise, the rescession has benefits and can turn into opportunity. An article in USA Today states that a recession is a great time to start a business. Trader Joe's, Disney and Hewlett-Packard all started during recessions.

But it isn't just big companies arising in troubled times. Many mompreneurs view the recession as an opportunity to launch their businesses. Starting a business at any time is hard work. But these economic times create a fierce desire for success. Many moms are rethinking their careers after being let go or thinking about what career move works best for their families, and more than a few are choosing to chase their dreams rather than be at the mercy of an employer.

If you're considering taking advantage of these economic times and becoming an entrepreneur, stay focused with these steps:
• Create your vision for your business.
• Create your business plan. Make sure there's a need and that you can fill it and make money.
• Create a budget and make sure you can afford to launch your company. The company will require a financial investment, and you'll have to learn to live without steady income.
• Create an action plan and go for it. Don't be another person with an idea that never comes to pass.
• Know your limits. Knowing that you need help getting your business off the ground is better than pretending you don’t. Business consultants or franchises would be a good place for help.

Remember, challenging times for some mean opportunities for others. Change your mind-set and push your fear aside. In today's market, you can find amazing deals on retail space, amazing women looking for employment and a society that wants to believe in something. Ask yourself how you can create opportunity where others see none.

Happy birthday to You!

I love throwing birthday parties for kids. Everything is so magical for them and they appreciate what is really important- the frosting!

I can always pick out the birthday boy or girl walking in the door of tumble & tea cafe- they are so proud and excited. It is their day and they get to have their party at tumble & tea cafe!!! What more could they want?

But how about you? You work, have other kids, remodeling your home or just busy- how do you plan (and clean your home) for a birthday bash for your little one.

That is where tumble & tea cafe steps in. We do everything for you- you just show up for your birthday party and relax.

What is the everything we do for your birthday party? Our birthday parties for kids include invitations, decorations, pizza, drinks, birthday cake (and candles), goodies and treats for all the kids, time in our amazing indoor playground for kids and...... thank you cards! WOW- only thing missing is the margaritas! (sorry- you have to wait 'till you get home.)

Even though we include a birthday cake, lots of parents bring their home made master piece. Check out Parenting website for great cake ideas. You are welcome to bring your own cake (just save a little piece for us!)

Throw a great party, don't do the work, look like the most organized parent ever and have your child's birthday party at tumble & tea cafe. Check out our website for more information about our birthday parties for kids and remember- you are the one that gave birth...this is your day too! Enjoy & relax- let tumble & tea cafe do the work!

Benefits of Franchising in 2009

Are you wondering if NOW is the right time to open your own tumble & tea cafe?
Below are highlights from a recent article from QSR Magazine.
The article highlights the reasons why quick serve restaurants (yes, like tumble & tea cafe)are preforming better than many investments today. It also describes why now is the time to negotiate lease agreements and take advantage of better locations and lower rates.
Check out our website to find out more about the tumble & tea cafe franchise opportunity.

"Growth in quick-serve—whether it’s in franchise sales or consumer purchasing—is being seen by some as a bellwether for how long the overall economy will take to recover. Restaurants in the quick-serve segment performed better than most sectors of the stock market, despite growing consumer fears and tightened household spending. Looking at the 2008 calendar year, and the year-end stock prices for twenty-six large cap restaurant stocks, every one finished well above its fifty-two week low. The whole group of stocks, when the weekly stock price was averaged, finished the year up 78 percent over their lowest points in all of 2008.

The 2009 Restaurant Industry Forecast from the National Restaurant Association predicts that restaurant and foodservice industry sales will top $377 billion this year, following a year that showed stable sales compared to other retail sectors. While all of those aren’t franchised restaurants, the franchised, quick-serve segment is the one expected to increase sales in 2009 or at least hold its own.

That’s something casual dining and fast-casual brands can’t generally expect. The industry forecast predicts full-service restaurants will see a 2.5 percent decline in growth between 2008 and 2009; quick-serve is expected to hold steady with a 0.4 percent increase.
One thing to consider in finding a restaurant brand to acquire is whether it’s necessary or discretionary."

“Comparable sales haven’t fallen through the floor,” Mangieri says of quick-serve in 2008. “Most Americans don’t have the knowledge to cook for themselves. They must have the convenience. I think that trend is here to stay.”

Looking for Parenting Websites & Blogs!

Do you have a parenting website or blog (or even know a parenting website or blog that you love)? tumble & tea cafe is building our partners page and we are looking for some great parenting websites and blogs.

Check out our list of parenting websites and blogs @ http://www.tumbleandteacafe.com/help.html. Hey, kids don't come with instructions. Check out these websites- great information and ideas!

Lets really look at this economy.....

The economy. Needless to state the obvious- we are in a recession. With the constant negative news and the public’s general misunderstanding of economics, people are scared. But let’s look at some facts and compare the recession in the 1980’s to our current recession.

•In the 1980’s unemployment reached its high of 10.82 in December 1982.
•The federal funds rate, which was about 11% in 1979, rose to 20% by June 1981.
•The prime interest rate, at the time a highly important economic measure, eventually reached 21.5% in June 1982.

Comparing unemployment, interest and inflation rates, the U.S. economy was in a much worse condition then we are now. But even in the recession, by 1980 there were more than 356,000 franchised businesses and by 1985, retail sales of franchises exceeded $474 billion.

In 1986, the U.S. Department of Commerce estimated that retail sales by franchised establishments represented 34% of all retail sales. Last but not least the sales of products and services by all franchises grew by $198 billion during the period of 1980-1986.

How did those businesses endure? Per the United States Chamber of Commerce, franchised businesses have had a 97% success rate within 5 years of opening compared to non-franchised businesses which only have only 48% success rate with in their first 6 years.

Surprisingly enough there tends to be growth during recessions. Not only do people loose their faith in corporate America and are laid off by “safe corporate giants” but the recession provides unique benefits to new businesses. Below are just a few of your benefits for opening your business now:

•There are more retail locations available now then two years ago and you are able to negotiate lower rents and higher tenant improvements than during a recovery period.
•You have a greater selection of high quality people to work for you with less competition from larger companies.
•Recovery periods follow recessions. Businesses tend to gain a greater clientele base when the economy starts to improve while enjoying the cheaper rents they negotiated during the recession.

I believe the success in business is based off three main aspects.
1.The concept and business structure
2.Your location/ marketing plan
3.You and your abilities

We are starting to ask ourselves, "What is safe?"
Do you trust big corporate companies for stability or do you trust in you?
Honestly- It is all risky out in the real world. As some business that do not provide a perceived value service disappear, others grow. What makes a business strong.... stay tuned for my next post.

I'll end with one of my favorite quotes, "If you're not a
risk taker, you should get the hell out of business."
Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's Corp.

Be passionate about what you do!

I just read this great blog about starting your own business.
www.startupnation.com/blogs/index.php/2009/03/10/lose-your-job-start-a-business/
The blog is an interview with a corporate executive who was laid off and couldn't find work because she was over qualified. Sound familiar? Check out her blog but this is the highlight.

"Be passionate about what you do. This is a second chance, an opportunity to do what you have dreamed about. Bring all of your collective knowledge and experience from your past jobs to your venture. You’ll have to work an exorbitant amount to launch your venture but it will be yours."

Starting a business has risks. But ask yourself what are the risk if you never try? No one, even expensive lawyers, can predict the future. If you believe in yourself and believe in the business- you can make it work.

Get connected to tumble & tea cafe franchise!

Friend us. Follow us. Watch us. Whatever it is you do on the internet we want to be apart of it. tumble & tea cafe is now on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube & Linked In.

Why tumble & tea café is THE Birthday Party for Kids Place

Any parent that has survived a birthday party for their kids can attest to the mess, chaos, and stressful experience the ordeal can be. Yet tumble & tea café offers the perfect alternative for parents when it comes to a birthday party for kids. Unlike a birthday party for kids that takes place in your home or a park, tumble & tea café offers birthday parties for kids with no clean up, no planning and most importantly no worries for you! That’s why we call our birthday party for kids the “make a reservation, show up, the kids will have a great time and your house will still be clean when it is all over birthday party for kids!”
There’s no doubt tumble & tea café is the best child friendly family restaurant. That’s why it is the perfect location for your child’s birthday party! We provide you with a party coordinator, an indoor play space for kids, decorations, invitations, pizza and birthday cake. We even have the candles!
Your kids will have a great time, and YOU will enjoy your guests without doing any of the work!
Make your life easier and choose tumble & tea café for a hassle-free birthday party your kids and you will love!

Why is everyone so into this tumble & tea cafe thing?

I am not sure. Maybe because it is a new concept? A café that adults love with great food & a hip ambiance with a place that our kids enjoy too.

I don’t think the concept is all that revolutionary but no one has done it before- well not like us.

There are a few cafes with some toys and then there are kiddie playspaces that have ok food and pictures of Mickey Mouse on the wall.

Those places are great but just not us.

tumble & tea café is a posh, wifi café that serves great food with an indoor play space for kids. We serve espresso drinks, pastries, signature paninnis, salads and great soups. Don’t worry; we also have the kid favorites too.

Since day one we have been busy. People loved it and we have regulars that come in everyday. It was amazing to watch our idea come to life. Right away we started getting request from people who wanted to own their own tumble & tea café. After a couple of years we have received over 800 requests nationwide

So what better way to open more stores than to teach people how to open and operate their business at the same time?

We are franchising nationwide and hope to be in your neighborhood soon. Is your neighborhood filled with people who cant wait to come to tumble & tea café?

Welcome to the new tumble and tea café. You will love it!