Opening a retail coffee house - part two

It was easy to get overwhelmed with all the details. So, I found myself making more and more lists. I started carrying around a binder with college ruled paper and plastic insert sheets. This way I always had my many lists with me and I also had paper to write notes on. The plastic insert sheets were great because I could put catalog sheets or other info all in the binder and have them for reference. Here's one of the list I made once I found my retail space:
1) get ficticious business name filed at the county recorders office
2) get business license
3) submit drawings to the health department
4) submit drawings to the city planning department
5) submit sign plans
6) get quotes for signs
7) get quotes for ice machine
8) decide on layout and material used
9) open up 1 phone line
10) design logo
11) order business cards
12) decide on espresso machine
13) decide on grinder
14) call places regarding soda machine rental
15) get quote on insurance
16) get quote on scales
17) decide on uniforms
18) open bank account
19) find supplier of coffee to go cups
20) order printed plastic bags
21) order coffee bags
22) order labels for bags
23) decide on espresso bar menu
24) decide on merchandise to carry
25) find bakery to supply pastries
26) get resale license from State Board of Equalization
27) decide on decor
28) submit plans to the landlord for his approval
29) print gift certificates
30) get employer identification number and EDD #
31) open up PG&E

As you can see, there was alot of things to do.

Opening a retail coffee house - part one

It was in the fall of 1991 when I decided to leave public accounting and start my own coffee house. I had been in public accounting for 2 1/2 years and while it was interesting, I wanted to open my own business. We were living in El Sobrante, but my husband and his sister had an electronics business in Fremont, so we decided to open a shop in Fremont so that he would be able to help me when he had time. I quit my job in October 1991 and started my search for the perfect spot. At that time there was no good gourmet coffee place in Fremont, so it seemed like a great city to start one. There was no Starbucks in Fremont. The only place I could find in Fremont that was supposed to have "gourmet coffee" was a place called Penny University. It wasn't very good at all, not like the coffee houses I fell in love with when I was attending U.C. Berkeley. It looked like there would not be much competition. I didn't have any experience looking for a retail space and didn't know that you could get a realtor to help you without having to pay them. I didn't realize that the lessor (the owner of the space) typically paid the realtor's commission. We didn't have much money and I was determined to open the place on a shoe string budget with just sweat equity. I basically just drove around and looked at spaces that looked like it had alot of traffic. A few months into the search I settled on 1,000 sqft space that was located in a small strip mall. I thought it would be good because it was on a main street and it had Blockbusters as an anchor tenant. After I found the space I wanted, I had to start making plans. I made a list of everything I needed to do:

1) decide on a name

2) decide on the type of ownership entity; sole proprietor, corporation, etc.

3) file for a FBN (ficticious business name)

4) open a bank account

5) get a business license

6) get a permit from the Alameda County Health Department

7) design the space

8) build out the space

9) design a logo

10) work on a menu

The list went on and on and soon I was overwhelmed and questioning myself.