First Bar-B-Q in Kyrg...Shenanigans...Forever!

1buckie · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

No kidding fresh idea !!!
& you're also one of the "Sights to see"
as the only "foreign" BBQ in Kyrg...(the entire country)

Jarhead · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

BBQMAN · Posted: Jun 12 2011 Post subject:

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Dog, the meat that comes with it's own bark before you smoke it!
I still say have a blues band come and play on fri -sat nite out on the patio.Have them play for door.does cost you then.and get the word out to the embassy,af base and any place like that.
give food writers,bloggers,radio DJ's a free meal to try if they will talk about the meal.I have done that cost me may 5.00 real money, not could of sold it for money.had people come right after that.Bus idea too!cab is good too,they do it for the bars and hookers why not for the meals.
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Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
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Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
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feldon30 · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

With the adversity that JAllen has faced at every turn, I think if he can produce a quality product where he is, if he tried it somewhere else he would be much more successful with I think a lot less stress. It sounds almost like he is running a daycare for uncaring, borderline criminal employees who show up when it suits them, and customers who are completely unpredictable and have unrealistic expectations. His costs are high, and he can't plan anything ahead because there is no consistent customer base, nor can he count on any employee to show up at the right time and do their job.

How many BBQ restaurants, caterers, or vendors have to deal with grossly corrupt governments, the mafia wanting 'protection', a 'meat market' which is one guy with a rusty dull blade, no access to any Western spices, and no reliable security?

I know there are any number of problems with the workforce, government permits and corruption, customers, thieves, etc. everywhere, but every problem really seems magnified where JAllen is. I don't judge him too harshly considering the conditions he is dealing with, and I wonder if all the typical advice like advertising would work for him. I think even if JAllen did everything right, the chances of success are slim-to-none. If someone in the US sets up their business right, in a realistic manner, and watches costs, there is at least a chance he/she will succeed. I don't think there is anything JAllen can do to guarantee this as a going concern. He's been going since January, and I think he could probably count on one hand the number of cash flow positive days?

Having lived in Europe now for over 1 year (including time in hotels while getting the move organized), even in a country without the turmoil and criminality that JAllen has had to face, I can see some cultural challenges and differences which would make it quite different to setup than in the US.
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JAllen · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Okay, new week beginning June 14.

1. Regarding the base. Soldiers are rarely granted leave to the city. Only allowed at approved locations. Very few are approved, we're "in the process" of being approved, according to the Marine commander who eats here often. I asked if we could expedite the process and was told, "You're in the process."

2. Contractors started dribbling in last week after seeing our ad in The Spektator Magazine. I posted this ad here.

3. Radio ad in progress; starting late this week, next week.

4. I'm on TV for fifteen minutes talking to Olga Chay about bbq next Tuesday. She's like the Kyrgyz Katie Couric.

5. More on-location ads are to be approved this week for the fence, and for the covering on the covered outdoor area that will be able to be seen from the road.

I'll post the approved ads soon.
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JAllen · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

In other news...boy have I missed out on posting.

Kapustin, after being brought back, immediately started drinking on the job again.

He puked in the downstairs toilet and Larissa, the formerly groped cleaning lady complained.

About the puking. There was no complaint about the groping.

Kapustin puked on Friday morning, and went home. Friday evening, some friends came to visit, he kicked his mom out, telling her to call him at 7pm so he could make it to work by8.

She called but he didn't answer the phone.

We started calling at 8 when he didn't show up, but he didn't answer.

We called all Saturday, but he didn't answer.

He came in today after his mom called last night crying and asking we take him back again. He brought the keys and said he's been to the doctor, who gave him a shot of something that will make him deathly sick if he drinks anything in the next three years.

He showed me the puncture where the doctor shot him with the "anti-drinking" juice. It was in his upper chest and looked painful.

He said he was sorry and cannot drink anymore.

The poll continues.

If SoEzzy can reset the poll, I would be very happy.
_________________
Reverse flow Sterno can
Upright Zippo (modified)
200w horizontal GE bulb
blowtorch
Paul Mitchell hair dryer (swiped)
unashamed foam user

JAllen · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Jarhead · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Teleking · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

JAllen · Posted: Jun 14 2011 Post subject:

Teleking · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

BBQMAN · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

JAllen · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

[quote="BBQMAN"]

JAllen · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

quote="BBQMAN"

Well, got to sleep on this and can now respond in kind.

Jeff, what are looking for here? Honest advice or an atta boy no matter what you do?

my comment: I don't remember asking for an atta boy.

That being said, good grief what does it take to get fired in your book?

my comment: We've gone through a lot of staff as you know. Some more have exited without me commenting. All for good reason.

In the real world Krapustin would have been gone a long time ago.

my comment: You know from reading, this is a far cry from the real world.

Not to sound harsh, but I don't care who you are and where you live some things are not acceptable in anyone's book.

my comment: We're using my and my partner's book.

Do you truly believe this guy's story on his booze addiction?

my comment: It's clear he has a problem. We took him back the first time because Mrs. JAllen said she believed in second chances. So far he's not back after that. I'm considering it because I like him, I trust him not to steal.

He does have a serious problem.

Hiring someone off the street to be here alone at night is a frightening can of worms. Cash, alcohol, food, tech stuff, and lack of legal recourse when those vanish.

If you do I got some prime waterfront land at a cut rate to sell you. Wink

my comment: Real estate prices will be dropping for several more years, so no thank you.

Seriously man, Jeez!

BBQMAN thanks for all your input. Your advice about raising prices two months ago was taken and was a good decision.

Regarding replacing Kapustin, if we were in a position to have several qualified and trustworthy applicants to choose from; if we worked in a system where you had legal recourse against employees who brazenly steal; if we lived in a culture where stealing from work was considered wrong (it's not considered wrong here), well then the above chastising likely would be well-placed.
_________________
Reverse flow Sterno can
Upright Zippo (modified)
200w horizontal GE bulb
blowtorch
Paul Mitchell hair dryer (swiped)
unashamed foam user

Geronimo · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

Maybe I am wrong here (and probably am) but if trustworthy, hard working employees are that hard to come by, is it even remotely possible to change your hours to be open only when you or the MRS were there to "watch over things"???

You have lived and worked and even owned business all over the world so I know you are not afraid to move to a more "worker friendly" country.

Just seems like there would HAVE to be a country that you could be successful in and NOT have these kinds of problems...other problems no doubt as we all know NO business can run without it's own set of problems of some kind...

But man, I have owned business and currently own one and don't even come CLOSE to these kinds of problems. Shocked

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Where rumors end and legend lives forever...

JAllen · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jun 15 2011 Post subject:

What Jallen doesn't say is this is a masters degree in employee relations!LOL!
When you go home from your business at nite, and say to yourself what I have got myself into?,smile and say I could be having a Jallen day!
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle