Marketing: Look. It works.

Smile, you're on candid camera.

Red Light People. Green Light People.

"Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little." - Gore Vidal

A friend of mine and fellow entrepreneur says that there are two types of people one will encounter on their way to opening up a business: red light people and green light people. The red light people will present you with obstacles and challenge your belief about your motives and capabilities. They'll project their own fears onto you. Those are people to avoid. They will stop you or cause you to stumble.

Then there are the green light people. Green light people are supportive. They encourage. They believe in you and will offer you help, information, suggestions and moral support. They help you keep going when the tunnel seems dark and you begin to question your own sanity. "Seek out the green people," my friend tells me.

One thing I'm coming to realize is that, although a lot of people are very excited about what we're doing, for whatever reason, not everyone is going to be happy. It's okay, though. I can't expend too much energy thinking about that. I've got a restaurant to open! 'Green People! Can I get an "AMEN!"?

Green light people. Red light people.

What Happened Today at Bogota

Today: Albert C., the 'telephone, internet, and security camera' guy, came by to discuss wiring, go over logistics and review plans with David C., the point-of-sale guy, who also stopped by to close the deal on the POS system we're going with and discuss wiring needs with him.

MJ, the contractor, came by to review the work being done by the workers and to meet with Kate, the designer, who couldn't make today's meeting but will come by tomorrow. We did discuss electrical outlets, flooring and lighting for store signage. We also reviewed the timetable of where we're at and whats to be finished by the end of the week.

William, the dishwashing guy from Auto-Chlor, stopped by to check in our progress. The guy installing the kitchen vent and hood (his name I don't know) was in the basement doing just that.

The construction guys were busy installing the sound-proofing materials along the ceiling.

We also stopped into the bank to go over some financial things, sent a copy of the signed lease to the Business Outreach Network and to one of the bankers who also needs a copy.

The woman from Lux (she's creating the lighting fixtures for the restaurant) faxed us a proposal which we'll review tomorrow.

All in a day's work.