Tuesday, November 18, 2008
More Pics!
Hi there, here are two more pics to add to our blog. Great picture here of Karen, the Chef/Manager of Ruby Moon and John Gerow, our dishwasher/catering assistant. Things are chugging along just fine. Looking forward to everyones Christmas events here at the Ruby Moon. We are going to have a great time.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Article in the Globe & Mail
To learn more about growing your business, visit getgrowingforbusiness.com.
When Lori Paras realized that the decline of tourism meant it was necessary to close her
business outside of ThunderBay, she adopted the famed Winston Churchill maxim:
“We shall never surrender,” and started over, reinventing her business to serve a still flourishing
market. “Ruby Moon caters to the business professional,” she says. “We stay really loyal to
that market.” In addition to a flourishing catering business, the Ruby Moon restaurant showcases the company’s fresh food in a comfortably elegant environment that is a relaxing escape from office stress. “We focus on our customer, and deliver a product that meets their needs. We serve home cooking with a bistro flair, and can also provide gourmet menus for special events. We don’t just introduce things we think might be needed. Thunder Bay has been hit hard economically, so we have to be very careful. Our customer is very smart, very savvy; we
have to be very smart andsavvy, too.” Ms. Paras partners with larger organizations to leverage
Ruby Moon’s support of the Thunder Bay community. “We don’t have the budget to be able to give what I’d like to at this point, but by partnering with corporations, with their larger audience, we areable to add something special to an event.” She recently provided 50 of the restaurant’s
famous apple pies to sell in the local Scotiabank branch in support of the Relay for Life.
As the economy contracts, she has come to see ‘money saved’ within the business as‘money earned.’ “One of the first things I did was look atmy books to identify any unnecessary expenses: where we might bundle our insurance, reduce the number of phone lines, or shop around
to get a better deal from suppliers. I’ve streamlined our advertising, and learned how to say no to opportunities that aren’t right for us. “If you’re saving $1,000 a month, it’s like earning $1,000
a month. It can be difficult, as an entrepreneur, to find thetime, but when I started thinking of it as equivalent to cash coming in, it became a priority.” Cash flow is key to managing money for business growth, says Kyle McNamara, Scotiabank managing director and head, Small Business.
“It’s really easy to overestimate cash flow, so it’s important to do those forecasts and concentrate on strategies to accelerate your accounts receivable, decelerate your accounts payable and effectively manage your inventory. “One of our tools, Blueprint for Business Checkup, provides a quick financial diagnostic on the impact of strategies such as accelerating your accounts receivables. Small business owners tend to be surprised at the impact a couple of small changes can have. Just invoicing immediately after delivering a product or service, or arranging for direct deposit by your regular clientele, can make a real difference.” Whatever cash management
measures are undertaken, there are times that all small businesses need a sound relationship with a small business banker. “I’ve been an entrepreneur most of my life and have been going to the bank for money since my mid-twenties. I know how to write a business plan and demonstrate that the numbers work,” says Ms. Paras. “But what I need from my banker is an understanding that the early years of any small business can get messy. When your financial institution can think outside of the box, it makes all the difference. I’ve seen businesses go under
because of $5,000 that they just couldn’t find.” “Financing for growth requires doing some projections,”says Mr. McNamara. “Building your business plan enables you to understand
what kind of financing you’re going to require. Once you’ve clearly defined that, your business banker can assist you through the process.”
That broader understandingcanbealmostasimportant as access to financing. “I felt really down one afternoon– starting over again in my late forties after running a business that did very well for many years,” says Ms. Paras.” I said, ‘I just don’t know if I want to keep doing this.’ And
my banker at Scotiabank said, ‘Lori, you can do it – we’re all behind you.’”
Special Advertising Series
T H E G LOBE AND MA I L
TUESDAY , OCTO B E R 2 1 , 2008
When Lori Paras realized that the decline of tourism meant it was necessary to close her
business outside of ThunderBay, she adopted the famed Winston Churchill maxim:
“We shall never surrender,” and started over, reinventing her business to serve a still flourishing
market. “Ruby Moon caters to the business professional,” she says. “We stay really loyal to
that market.” In addition to a flourishing catering business, the Ruby Moon restaurant showcases the company’s fresh food in a comfortably elegant environment that is a relaxing escape from office stress. “We focus on our customer, and deliver a product that meets their needs. We serve home cooking with a bistro flair, and can also provide gourmet menus for special events. We don’t just introduce things we think might be needed. Thunder Bay has been hit hard economically, so we have to be very careful. Our customer is very smart, very savvy; we
have to be very smart andsavvy, too.” Ms. Paras partners with larger organizations to leverage
Ruby Moon’s support of the Thunder Bay community. “We don’t have the budget to be able to give what I’d like to at this point, but by partnering with corporations, with their larger audience, we areable to add something special to an event.” She recently provided 50 of the restaurant’s
famous apple pies to sell in the local Scotiabank branch in support of the Relay for Life.
As the economy contracts, she has come to see ‘money saved’ within the business as‘money earned.’ “One of the first things I did was look atmy books to identify any unnecessary expenses: where we might bundle our insurance, reduce the number of phone lines, or shop around
to get a better deal from suppliers. I’ve streamlined our advertising, and learned how to say no to opportunities that aren’t right for us. “If you’re saving $1,000 a month, it’s like earning $1,000
a month. It can be difficult, as an entrepreneur, to find thetime, but when I started thinking of it as equivalent to cash coming in, it became a priority.” Cash flow is key to managing money for business growth, says Kyle McNamara, Scotiabank managing director and head, Small Business.
“It’s really easy to overestimate cash flow, so it’s important to do those forecasts and concentrate on strategies to accelerate your accounts receivable, decelerate your accounts payable and effectively manage your inventory. “One of our tools, Blueprint for Business Checkup, provides a quick financial diagnostic on the impact of strategies such as accelerating your accounts receivables. Small business owners tend to be surprised at the impact a couple of small changes can have. Just invoicing immediately after delivering a product or service, or arranging for direct deposit by your regular clientele, can make a real difference.” Whatever cash management
measures are undertaken, there are times that all small businesses need a sound relationship with a small business banker. “I’ve been an entrepreneur most of my life and have been going to the bank for money since my mid-twenties. I know how to write a business plan and demonstrate that the numbers work,” says Ms. Paras. “But what I need from my banker is an understanding that the early years of any small business can get messy. When your financial institution can think outside of the box, it makes all the difference. I’ve seen businesses go under
because of $5,000 that they just couldn’t find.” “Financing for growth requires doing some projections,”says Mr. McNamara. “Building your business plan enables you to understand
what kind of financing you’re going to require. Once you’ve clearly defined that, your business banker can assist you through the process.”
That broader understandingcanbealmostasimportant as access to financing. “I felt really down one afternoon– starting over again in my late forties after running a business that did very well for many years,” says Ms. Paras.” I said, ‘I just don’t know if I want to keep doing this.’ And
my banker at Scotiabank said, ‘Lori, you can do it – we’re all behind you.’”
Special Advertising Series
T H E G LOBE AND MA I L
TUESDAY , OCTO B E R 2 1 , 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween at the Scotia Bank
Just a few words about my favourite financial institution. Scotia Bank has been instrumental in helping Ruby Moon achieve its solid financial footing. A great group of women and men have helped put us on the right track and have helped not only in good times but also during the bad. Hats off to the team spirit that was visible today as all staff dressed in wonderful costumes and gave out not only$$$$$$$but candy. Check out the photos and congrats guys!
Friday, October 24, 2008
So yeah, i tried to do my best to mimic the ridiculous grin of that mannequin and I think I did a pretty good job. On a related note, the mannequin will be taking over for me for the next few weeks (months?). not sure at this point, but I am taking a small break to focus on my glass career. these things tend not to get done unless you commit to them full time, at least for a little while. keep your eyes peeled for in the future for some locally hand blown glass!!
Christmas Catering is upon us!
We are hustling about hiring staff for our Christmas rush which will be upon us before we know it. We are pleased to welcome Desiree and Jessica to our team.
Tis the season soon to be jolly and our customers are quite pleased that we have acquired a liquor license. Ruby Moon now carries a wonderful variety of wine and beer and will bring in specialty wines for your private catered event. We have upgraded the catering menu on the website and Monday will see the menu in the restaurant change to a winter theme. Although we are still closed on Saturdays and Sundays to be able to accommodate your special event, we now are open to the public til 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Come in and get your favourite lunch item or sample our new dinner entrés. BBQ Ribs every Friday!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Whatever Happened to The Farmers' Mercantile?
Lots of people ask me whatever happened to The Farmers' Mercantile, our original café/antique shop in Nolalu. Well, nothing really. The Mercantile opens its doors to the public during the summertime for a couple of weekends. and although there is no longer an wonderful antique and gift shop on the second floor, the Village Café opens it's doors with the aroma of fresh handmade cinnamon buns, fresh baked breads, and all the other great goodies that can only be found there. The tourist industry in this part of Northwestern Ontario has seen better days and we were forced to reinvent ourselves to stay alive. In 2008, we opened our new retaurant Ruby Moon in Thunder Bay, a short 45 minute drive from Nolalu. The Village Café is now a catering venue for our primary restaurant ( Ruby Moon) and we have been pleased to host many private catered events there. So...for all you Village Café fans I have posted some photos of days gone by. Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ruby Moon Hires New Manager
Ruby Moon welcomes Karen Sundell to our humble little bistro. Karen comes to the Ruby Moon with over twenty years experience in the catering & restaurant business. Full of vim and vigor is an understatement when describing Karen. Please feel free to stop by the restaurant to meet her and wish her well. You might catch us chasing her around trying to get a photo for this blog.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Finally Friday
Normally it doesn't matter that if Friday comes along at this place. We are busy all weekend catering at weddings,showers, anniversaries etc, but for some reason this weekend we have been given a reprieve and I can tell you all the staff are looking forward to it. I have asked everyone to find some time to write something brilliant on this new blog space and soon you will get to hear the ramblings from them and our new manager Karen. Karen is a talented Chef and extremely energetic. Yes folks, she may even have more energy than myself( what's with 50 year old woman these days, I think it has something to do with espresso). She ran her own catering company here in Thunder Bay for ten years and has agreed to bring her energy and talent to Ruby Moon. So.......onward and forward with the day.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Jake the Mannequin
Suprisingly, the mannequin looks almost exactly like me! I would upload a new picture if I felt it was needed....hmmmm..maybe some strange chinese mannequin manufacturer has been stalking me for my charming good looks. I guess thats the cost of fame.
Ruby Moon Catering & Lunch Bar
Welcome to the News & Notes of Ruby Moon. This blog will let you in on all the great happenings at the lunch bar. Whether it's a staff birthday, a special visitor or a great addition to the menu, you will hear it here first.
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