Our staff met yesterday to discuss the direction of the roastery and whether to move forward pursuing a new enterprise. We played around with understanding our desired business, as captured in our holistic-goal, and how to gain a comprehensive understanding of what the addition of a new venture would do to both the Buena Vista Roastery and to Bongo Billy’s Coffees. Consensus: find out some info on the potential gross profit and information on the potential sources of money that would be used to invest in equipment but that generally let’s move forward. All of this fits with our environmental initiatives, as posted on ChannelBV.

One thing that we are keenly aware of is that the nature of the coffee industry is to transport large quantities of product, both green and roasted, to and from the farthest reaches of the world. This is not a local activity nor not the best use of non-human energy. Yet, the product we offer does bring non-tourist dependent money into our small mountain town, population of 2500, allow for a few jobs, and give locals a source of excellent coffee. It’s all about balancing the social, environmental and economic. So, in pursuit of additional ventures, we ask ourselves:

- If we are pursue this venture, is it in reaction to something, and if so are we addressing the root cause?
- Will this enhance or degrade the overall social, economic and natural resources that we need as a business?
- Are we addressing the weak link that currently exists in the Roastery, either Resource Conversion, Product Conversion, or Marketing
- What is the marginal reaction as compared to other activities?
- How does the gross profit stand up to other enterprises?
- What is the source and use of the energy to be used and is this the most appropriate source/use?
- What is the source and use of the money to be used and is this the most appropriate source/use?
- Will this so offend others in our community that we create a logjam to our business and community activities?
- How do we feel about the potential, now that we have looked at all these questions?