We often mention companies who have just gotten started. However, what about the companies that do not make it? When Christina Ross started her company last year, she was filled with high hopes. This year she had to close up shop, and The Local took a closer look at the reason why.
The Local: Why did you decide to close Just Taste It?
Christina Ross: It was too much of a toll on my family, and that was a really huge issue. Basically, I lived there. I was there six days a week, sometimes seven. I averaged 14 to 17 hours a day because a lot of it was shopping and prepping stuff. It’s stressful running a business. And things happen. At the beginning of July, there was a problem with the power and I was without power for a few days in the restaurant and it happened around the holiday weekend, so it was very difficult to get an electrician in there. By then, I lost all of the food in the fridge. It’s a lot of money to lose. I was trying to get out before my grandfather passed, and I guess him passing was kind of the final straw for me, because he passed at the end of July. I didn’t want to leave the business. I worked so hard for it. But ultimately, family’s more important.
Local: It really seemed like you put everything into this. Do you regret it?
CR: I don’t regret it, because it was a great experience. I met a lot of wonderful people, as far as staff, as far as customers. It was a great neighborhood. I loved what I did and that’s the reason I was even able to do so many hours, because I really loved what I did.
Photo by Jason