We get to play as shills to get games going
Haha I’m already expecting to ask the bartender to play a couple hands until someone comes in.
I have many strong convictions about why this business will be successful, but of course we all believe that at first. Here are four of them:
1) “Success” is highly subjective, and therefore, measured much differently depending on each person’s desired outcome. I might not ever hit $1M in revenue, but if the business can break even, I have won.
- I play(ed) ~60 hours/month at Rounders in San Antonio. I typically play 12 hour sessions. That is $8,940/yr in hourly fees + daily fees. Additionally, it is a 2.5 hour drive for me to make each way (so gas too), but I do it at least 5 times per month because the card rooms operating here have a number of red flags I’m not comfortable playing at. The $$$ savings by playing in my own city, under my own roof, and making the fiancé happy by moving my home games to a different “home,” AND building a business that addresses each and every frustration I regularly experience as a patron in other card rooms is very exciting.
2) I get to be the boss and treat my employees like the human beings they are, whether I hire 1 person or 100. I was forced out of my last job that I loved by one single person, my supervisor. I loved every single aspect of that job and every other person I interacted with. I would rather die than be treated like that. Each person who works for us will get a boss who knows exactly what poor management and interpersonal skills can do to a work environment.
3) I absolutely love this business. If I lived in San Antonio, I would certainly be a dealer at a local card house right now. While the money is important, it’s not THE most important thing (I am speaking on behalf of my partners in this regard, as well as myself). Having the opportunity to work every day involved in a business I’m sickly passionate about (not just playing), is truly incredible for me.
4) I couldn’t find a job. I have applied to over 200 job openings since completing my Masters in May. Over the last 2.5 months, I have not received so much as a single follow-up email. I have applied for positions matching my qualifications and all the way down Beach Worker III for $10/hr for county government. I have paid for professionals to build my resume with me and regularly refresh my junk mail 5x/day to see if something went there instead.
I regularly host games for others (entire set-up brought to their homes + host for a standard fee) and it was through this that I received this opportunity. Because of their belief, I was approached and asked for details on this business. Not only was it funded, but my terms were all agreed to by people I highly respect.
I may not be good enough to get an interview for picking up trash on the beach, but after hours and hours of questions and meetings, some other people think I might be able to do this.
My partners want no part of the day to day. My risk is sweat equity. I didn’t even have a job to leave. My risk is living with the pain that would come from letting my partners down. They showed a trust and belief in my vision and abilities that I have not experienced before. I can and will do every single thing possible to satisfy their measured expectations