hi all, I'm finally able to post an update on my ballplayer son -
whew, as In-Bystander has been biting his tongue for a month & Beezer's been carefuly keeping tabs on me
Andy had a very good 4 yr college baseball career as a catcher at Georgia Tech .. drafted by the Cubs as a jr he elected to return & play as a sr helping his team reach Omaha (undrafted as a sr).
He recently graduated (5th yr) with a Georgia Tech degree in Business Managment and moved back home to the Heartland. He had a few affiliated & independent baseball workout opportunities which he chose to pass on.
After he made that decision Mom encourged him to vigorously pursue his interview opportunities w/fortune 500 companies responding to his inquiries - get on someone's payroll, save some $$, make contacts, & get some REAL business training ... after all - his "book learning & degree" was great, but he'd need some proven guidance into the REAL WORLD of business.
A big thanks to several websters & friends inc "the Beezer" who generously offered support and help w/contacts.
Everything was proceeding smoothly according to the fortune 500 plan w/several follow-up interviews offered & job offers on the horizon, then something changed
an unforseen (& kinda odd) series of events began to create another path .. as a competitive athlete accustomed to evaluating opportunities, never afraid of a challenge, AND ingrained w/the Yogi-ism "if ya come to a fork in the road - take it" .. he did some thinking & soul searching -
the result is that today (Thurs) he takes the reigns as the "managing partner" of "Deli On Rye" in Husdon, Oh. A NY style deli operating for more than 25 yrs at it's current location.
His partner, is a former HS baseball team-mate and longtime friend who went on to play DIII foootball at W-Jeff, then upon graduating 3 yrs ago started & operates a commmercial janitorial/cleaning company in Cleveland's S suburbs.
Anyway, in the past 6-8 weeks they themselves crunched a ton of numbers, formulated a comprehensive business plan, penned a partnership, negotiated the purchase from current owner, re-negotiated the lease, met with several bankers, established a bank relationship w/financing and operating capital.
Andy added suppliers w/more favorable terms, set up a new accounting system while training "on the job". The new owners bring alot of energy & personality to an already profitable business.
They have a longtime loyal clientele, and will be expanding their commercial lunch and weekend catering business. The Deli is known for their "corned beef on rye", but will add some lighter fare for the s****r mom crowd.
future plans include a 2nd location in 18 months and possible franchise opps
Currently their business hours are 9 to 7, but soon will add some later event nights such as Mon nite football, college football afternoons, etc with draft beer, wings and famous bbq ribs.
They have a network of local hs & college coaches, friends, ex-temamates & pro athletes who wish them well and know their way around a table of food & a cold brew.
it's not all roses tho -
the downside is that w/ opening at 9, he's not always able to get a set of tennis or 9 holes of golf in before going to work ..
and, after closing up he sometimes is rushed to get to his favorite fishing spot.
He'll just have to learn to take the bad w/the good
many thanks to friends & supporters
Bee>
Posts: 3616 | Location: NE Ohio | Registered: December 27, 2002
-------------------------------------------------- I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation
Bee> - that is simply a wonderful report and brings great joy to read. The hard part of running a successful business is coming up with a plan and then executing it. That college degree he earned has really paid dividends for him and will continue to do so the rest of his career
Being in business is a challenge at best. Having owned and operated an import business for 14 years and opening 4 retail stores in is fun but very demanding and frustrating. Employees are the largest challenge and yet you need them. I had 2 partners who were great until the money started rolling in and then I booted them. When I was on buying trips in Mexico, manila and hong Kong these guys would slack off and who knows what else. I was able to separate from them but ended up having to pay off some of their loans when they folded a year later. It was worth every penny. Always make sure every thing is done properly with legal advice. Can be worse than a marriage on the rocks but also very rewarding.
Posts: 4185 | Location: Canada | Registered: October 13, 2005
Anyway, in the past 6-8 weeks they themselves crunched a ton of numbers, formulated a comprehensive business plan, penned a partnership, negotiated the purchase, re-negotiated the lease, met with several bankers, established a bank relationship w/financing and operating capital.
WOW Bee>....that boggles my mind being able to accomplish all that in a mere few weeks!! Thanks so much for keeping us updated on your son, I've often wondered what he's been up to since GT. Honestly, I find what he is accomplishing quite admirable. After all...99.9% of our boys are going to have to enter the REAL world at some point and it sounds like your boy is doing it in high style! We've actually just been contemplating and discussing with our son this summer a "game plan" for when he completes his 5th year this next season. Full of "what if's" at this point....unfortunately, we are not PLANNING on him getting drafted and are proceeding as if it isn't in the equation....been studying for the LSAT's this summer with plans to take them in September and apply to some schools after that. IF he gets drafted, then that will just be a fortunate occurance he'll have to deal with. But like your son, I hope that mine will make the transition as smoothly and successfully! Personally, I find what he has accomplished at such a young age quite admirable, and I am sure you are all very proud!
Plus....anytime you can work "corned beef" into a career path I say HALLELUJAH! And THAT is coming from a "s****r mom" too!
Posts: 2634 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: December 30, 2002
Bee, Wow! There are so many lessons in your son's story for the guys out there. It's great to hear what he's done with his journey in life and I'm sure with you and all those business folks in your family, he'll have great guidance! My best wishes to him and make sure to keep us posted on his progress!
Posts: 5357 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: December 30, 2004
I've known Andy since he was about 8 and think the world of that young man. He's a great guy and a hard worker, couldn't meet a nicer young man! Congrats to you and your wife on the great job you've done with those two beautiful kids. We'll have to get Bags, CD, Beez, and whomever else we can round up and and go visit the establishment and talk big like old guys should one day!
Posts: 646 | Location: Ohio | Registered: February 04, 2006
Bee - First of all a sincere and hearty CHEERS to you dad (and the Mrs) for raising such a great kid!!! I'm still hoping he can impart some wisdom on a certain 14 yr old. He clearly made a serious and formidible task and ran with it. I bet there are two huge grins on Hampton!!!
Secondly, please let him know that I hope to visit next week when I get back. I'm at the 14u Nationals with Lil Beezer and the Jayhawks. I will be getting a menu to take back to the office to pass around. I'll need the address please. I'm guessing it'll be about 20 mins from Tallmadge??
***************************** "Hey dad.......wanna have a catch?"
Posts: 2747 | Location: NE Ohio | Registered: January 10, 2004
Sounds like he is about to hit yet another home run!!!
Great to see him getting after it.
I wish him much success and happiness.
Best regards
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
Bee that is really great news and that sandwich looks yummy. The days of real good old fashioned delis have given way to empanadas and jamiacan patties.
Business majors do well in the restaurant busnines because they have learned how to run a business!
Best of luck!
Send samples.
Posts: 10780 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
I have never developed a taste for cornbeef although my wife loves it. I am a ham and cheese guy which I am sure they can accomodate We will make sure to stop and of course let others know. I like IB's suggestion of having a little hsbbweb reunion at Andy's place - let's do it soon!
Well, it would appear that the members of the Bee> family do two things very well -- play baseball and run great restaurants. If you ask me, that's a pretty good combination of talents! So when are we going to get together and sample Andy's new endeavor?
Posts: 547 | Location: The Great Midwest | Registered: February 13, 2004
And THAT is coming from a "s****r mom" too!
