THE OPPORTUNITY: Everyone on planet Earth needs to eat. It has always been that way, and it always will be. People on Earth need to feel valued, loved, and connected to those around them. It has always been that way and always will be. Sitting down for a shared meal used to be a non-negotiable that satisfied both of these needs in countless households across the world, and in many parts it still is. But in the Western World, changing family dynamics, parental roles, and work schedules have changed this practice in a drastic way. While this problem of a lack of unified mealtime is probably more common in the West, it is surely still a global issue, which also means it is a global opportunity. The second component of this problem/opportunity is not simply the time/effort required to organize a meal, but the fact that many people cannot afford nutritious food, or sometimes food at all.
THE INNOVATION: My "innovation" is not really innovative at all. In fact, my idea hinges on getting back to the basics. My hope is to develop a business plan/strategy that will allow me to create a community-based restaurant that is financially stable, and hopefully can be replicated in many different places. The way in which it will be "community-oriented" is this: a portion of every sale will go toward a fund used to host completely free, community-wide meals periodically. These meals will be open to anyone and everyone, ranging from the community's premier socialites to the person on the corner of the street asking for money. It will make money the same way any restaurant does-by selling food. Although profits will be less with each sale, I believe there are ways to work around that.
THE VENTURE CONCEPT: My hope is that people in the community will be able to see the merit behind this idea, and as a result, be willing to step outside of their comfort zones and meet new, most-likely different people at these meals. I believe that many of the social, political, and economic issues we face as a society today stem from a lack of understanding of and empathy for our peers. I believe that these meals, while providing food for the community-especially for those who need it, will also present the opportunity for people to begin to understand the other side of the argument. What I mean is that I hope that by meeting others in a community, people will begin to be able to put a name or a face on an issue, thereby humanizing it. At the end of the day, people may still disagree, but if it can be done so amicably instead of viewing the other person or party as the enemy, then I feel that it will due to a world of good starting from the ground up! I also hope that people will take the opportunity to reach out to those that society usually brushes off. The poor and destitute are no less people than anyone else, and the isolation some of them must feel is unimaginable. I hope that these meals would be a place for them to meet people and feel valued and loved. This may be a (hopefully) heartwarming idea, but it is still a business that needs to turn a profit and take care of its employees. Taking care of the employees and those involved is non-negotiable, but I suppose turning a profit is not. It is possible the company could apply for non-profit status, in addition to receiving support from local churches, outreaches, etc. This concept is apolitical and seems like something everyone should be on board with. Pairing with local food growers would hopefully keep costs down as well.
MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE? The belief in the mission by the community will be far and away the biggest resource this venture will have.
WHAT"S NEXT? Figuring out how to replicate this model anywhere and everywhere. The world's issues, if they can ever be solved, will not be solved from the top down. No amount of legislation from governments will solve issues endemic to the human condition. That will come from a concerted effort by everyone in any given community to make true, deep connections with those around them. Only then can issues begin to be made right, and if this idea would go a small way toward helping, it would be my honor.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR ME? Cooking up food at the OG location and spending time with my (hypothetical" wife and kids!
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