As of today, Bula Kava House is officially five years old. It is our anniversary/birthday. When talking about my business to others, I always use "our" and "we" instead of "I" and "my". Many times this confuses people and they ask if I'm referring to a partner. I have to explain that I have no direct partners, but everybody that plays a role in the business is a stakeholder, a partner in some way. This not only includes my employees, but also our customers and even businesses that we work and contract with. So yes, forum members, you are part of Bula Kava House, and I've always felt that customers are the preeminent stakeholders. Without you there is no Bula Kava House. A thank you is definitely in order. I do not take you for granted and never will. There was a time when the few online sales we would get in a week were direct referrals from this site. This forum in it's previous incarnation, is where the snowball started to roll and grow.
We got to where we are from a dedication to quality, honesty, fair prices, and customer service. I promise you that we will maintain those qualities moving forward.
Here is my post to social media from earlier today:
5 years ago I ventured to build a successful business selling an obscure but sacred drink that tastes like dirt. I had a very select few that believed in me, most notably my mother, aunt, and ex-wife, @tiffanyjweston. You know, the people who were required to believe in me. Most people told me I had no chance. That long list included business professors, building owners who weren't willing to enter a lease with me, and fellow business owners. My own grandpa to this day thinks I'm selling illegal drugs on the side (I'm totally serious), but I can't blame him, he's from a different time.
If I'm being honest though, even I couldn't have imagined how well this would work. In a short time we've become possibly the world's largest online retailer of kava. We have also built an epic community of kava drinkers in Portland at one of the only kava bars in the US that doesn't rely heavily on other products.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without some amazing employees and customers who keep the day to day activities moving along, and give me ideas and feedback. You are all stakeholders and I'm blessed to have you.
To the believers and supporters out there, all I can say is thank you. You are appreciated. To the doubters, I think a quote from 2pac sums it up about right: "Picture me Rollin'."
Happy 5th Birthday, Bula Kava community.
We got to where we are from a dedication to quality, honesty, fair prices, and customer service. I promise you that we will maintain those qualities moving forward.
Here is my post to social media from earlier today:
5 years ago I ventured to build a successful business selling an obscure but sacred drink that tastes like dirt. I had a very select few that believed in me, most notably my mother, aunt, and ex-wife, @tiffanyjweston. You know, the people who were required to believe in me. Most people told me I had no chance. That long list included business professors, building owners who weren't willing to enter a lease with me, and fellow business owners. My own grandpa to this day thinks I'm selling illegal drugs on the side (I'm totally serious), but I can't blame him, he's from a different time.
If I'm being honest though, even I couldn't have imagined how well this would work. In a short time we've become possibly the world's largest online retailer of kava. We have also built an epic community of kava drinkers in Portland at one of the only kava bars in the US that doesn't rely heavily on other products.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without some amazing employees and customers who keep the day to day activities moving along, and give me ideas and feedback. You are all stakeholders and I'm blessed to have you.
To the believers and supporters out there, all I can say is thank you. You are appreciated. To the doubters, I think a quote from 2pac sums it up about right: "Picture me Rollin'."
Happy 5th Birthday, Bula Kava community.
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