Server Not Servant

Posts Tagged ‘#SmallBiz’

#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in every Boston Neighborhood: East Boston Part 2

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 09/5/2022

Thank you for joining the adventure. To learn more about the inspiration, mission, goals, and updates on this project, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

For information on East Boston Part 1, click on this link.

The second 13.1+ mile walk, ‘East Boston Part 2,’ is happening on Wednesday, 9/7, leaving from the Wood Island T Station on the Blue Line at 8am. All are welcome to join, even for a portion of any walk. We will meet at the Bennington Street side at the bus circle. Eastie Part 2 will head through Eagle Square to Condor Street Urban Wild and beach, explore the coast down to Nay Street, then zig zag south through the neighborhoods ending in the Eastie Shipyard. Below is the map of the area that will be covered, excluding Bremen Street Park, Eastie Memorial Park, and Logan. Those areas will be covered in the third, bonus Eastie walk.

[Please note: Post-walk pics, videos, summary and reflections can be found at the end of this blog post.] 

In preparation for Eastie Part 2, I walked 9.59 miles on Sunday, 9/4, including Section 1 of Boston’s Walking City Trail by Miles Howard. I really enjoyed the adventure, discoveries, and exercise and encourage you to research and support the great work that Miles is doing:

Miles Howard website: Miles Howard | Journalist, Author, Storyteller

Boston’s Walking City Trail: Walking City Trail (bostontrails.org)

Google Photo Album in chronologic order of my adventure.

This map and artwork on the side of an old, abandoned Orange Line trolley was one of the best finds of the day:

Please consider a donation inspired by #WalkingBoston:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz for her professionalism and attention to detail. Please consider a donation inspired by #WalkingBoston by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

#3- Several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston project and expedite the publication of my Server Not Servant book. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

#4- Additional, local beneficiaries may be added if they can provide a dedicated link for donations inspired by #WalkingBoston. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com for consideration.

Post ‘Eastie Part 2’ Walk Update, 9/15/22:

To map the course of the walks and confirm distance, I’m using MapMyWalk and All Trails apps. I’ve also ordered a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 5 as a 3rd way to verify distance and map the walks. One of my biggest concerns is losing the data of each walk and not being able to report and verify the course. Using 2 apps and having an independent (of my phone) GPS and tracking device should alleviate this concern.

For maps to verify the distance walked, please click on the highlighted links below.

MapMyWalk = 15.23 miles

AllTrails  = 16.2 miles

I’m not sure why there is a discrepancy between the 2 apps – I started them at the same time, paused and restarted them simultaneously at lunch. I’ll use the lesser of the 2 as official total distance moving forward.

Google Photo Album: I encourage you to view the 234 pics and videos in chronological order of the adventure from home (6:32am) to St. Mary’s T at the Green C Line, to Wood Island on the Blue Line as the starting point. This was a solo walk departing Wood Island at 7:29am.

Summary, observations, and reflections from Eastie 2:

• No problem getting up at 5:30ish. I love #GameDay.
• I had plans for my first walking companion to join me to stretch at 7:30 at Wood Island, then join me for a portion of the walk. She messaged me shortly after 6am to let me she couldn’t make it because her daughter was up all night with anxiety about her first day of school. Wishing her, and all parents and students a fulfilling school year. My niece, MaryKathryn Conceison, is a teacher and shared her thoughtful reflections on the new school year in this Medium post.
• Cereal w/fruit consumed, and detailed checklist studied before leaving the house at 6:32am.
• 61 degrees when I left the house-crisp, cool, perfect day.
• Departure from Wood Island was scheduled for 8am. Because my walking companion cancelled, I started walking at 7:29.
• Loved discovering Urban Wild, a very cool view, and great example of the importance of recommendations from residents of each neighborhood I explore.
• Todisco Towing, ah, that’s where they take them… $$$
• Great views of the Tobin.
• Multi miles of multi-families…
• Satellite dishes on the front of homes in Boston neighborhoods is something I’d like to know more about. So far, I only remember seeing them in Brighton, Allston, and Eastie.
• ‘Band Saw Zen’ is a thing on city walks. (See the video in the Google Photo Album.)
• LOTS of neighborhood markets deep in the residential areas.
• Very cool, interesting, diverse, old architecture and craftsmanship.
• Loved the “Welcome to Paradise” sign w/parrot on the fence leading to a backyard pool.
• Very gritty area beyond the “Keep on trying, you’ll get there” sign. I don’t advise traveling there alone.
• One of my favorite pics is from that “off road” adventure, w/boat in the foreground and Boston skyline in the distance.
• The water is a lot cleaner in that industrial area than I would have expected.
• I love the tiny Mom & Pop shops, like the one selling only mattresses, Lolly’s Bakery.
• Rino’s (famous Italian restaurant) location, in the middle of a non-descript residential location, reminds me of where Sarma is situated in Somerville. Embarrassed to admit that I still haven’t been there…
• As I have often stated, the Boston skyline views from Eastie are stunning.
• I LOVE city murals and old buildings.
• Note to self: Don’t walk on trash pick-up days… Rookie mistake.
• The pizza slice and hospitality at Dirty Water were very good.
• “A city is not an accident, but the result of coherent vision and aims.” -Leon Krier Architect and Urban Planner.
• If you haven’t been, you must visit the Eastie Shipyard & Marina, Piers Park, and Navy Fuel Pier.

Despite the attention/’traction’ that the walks are receiving, a major challenge ahead is inspiring donations to Make-A-Wish MA & RI and Stride for Stride. I’m going to make a concerted effort to reach out to businesses to pledge minimum donations tied to the total number of miles walked. There are a lot of creative ways that walk sponsors can get involved, including matching pledges, grant money, and product & brand endorsement. I’d love to hear from everyone who wants to be part of supporting #WalkingBoston and my non-profit partners. Email: patrick@servernotservant.com.

Please subscribe to future blog posts for scheduling of upcoming walks by entering your email in the blue box on the upper left side of this post. Follow along via Twitter and IG: @PatrickMBoston

Grass-roots donations to support #WalkingBoston and keep me walking and writing can be made by clicking here.

I included a few favorite pics from the ‘East Boston Part 2’ walk at the bottom of this post.

Thanks to everyone for your support and for following the #WalkingBoston journey. I hope to see you #ontheroad.

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in every Boston Neighborhood: East Boston Part 1

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 08/12/2022

Thank you for stopping by. A great place to learn the background story and inspiration for #WalkingBoston is this blog post.

The inaugural walk is on Tuesday, 8/16 leaving from the Wood Island T stop on the Blue Line at 7am. All are welcome to join. We will meet on the Bennington Street side at the bus circle. (Stay tuned to Twitter @PatrickMBoston for rescheduling if heavy rain is expected.)

[Post-walk summary and reflections can be found at the end of this blog post.]

The first walk will cover a minimum of 13.1 miles (half marathon) covering half of Eastie from Wood Island to Suffolk Downs, and from Constitution Beach to Chelsea River. The territory on the upper right side of the black line on this map will be covered:

As you can see from the map, Eastie resembles an hourglass shape with Wood Island T stop pretty close to the middle. Please email me if you have suggestions of ‘can’t miss’ hidden gems in that area that I need to see and chronicle. The same applies to all other Boston neighborhoods. [Thank you, Peter Campbell. I’ve got you covered in Hyde Park, brother.]

The first 2 non-profit beneficiaries have been finalized:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz for her professionalism and attention to detail. Please consider a donation inspired by #WalkingBoston by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

#3- Several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston project and expedite the publication of my Server Not Servant book. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

#4- Additional, local beneficiaries may be added if they can provide a dedicated link for donations inspired by #WalkingBoston. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com for consideration.

CBS Boston WBZ interview 8/12/22:

BOSTON — An author is kicking off an ambitious journey to walk every neighborhood in Boston. Patrick Maguire said the walks will raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Stride for Stride. 

He’s partially inspired by the pandemic to get up and outside, to learn more about the city and its iconic neighborhoods.   

“I want to rekindle relationships with everyone that I’ve promised to meet up and have a cup of coffee (I’m a tea drinker) but a cup of coffee or a drink. And walking is one of the best ways to reconnect with old friends and I hope to meet some new friends along the way in the neighborhoods of Boston. It’s getting me away from the computer and it’s a fresh start,” Maguire said. 

Thanks to everyone for your support and for following the #WalkingBoston journey. I hope to see you on the road.

Cheers-Patrick

#WalkingBoston anthem, People Have the Power by Patti Smith

 

Post ‘Eastie Part 1’ Walk Update, 8/22/22:

On Monday, 8/15, I met with personal trainer, Katie at BSC Boylston just outside of Copley Square for a free InBody Scan included in my membership. I’ll spare you the details, but will report my starting weight (197.6) as a measure of accountability, progress, and goals (185lbs). Thank you, Katie.

To map the course of the walks and confirm distance, I’m using MapMyWalk and All Trails apps. I’ve also ordered a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 5 as a 3rd way to verify distance and map the walks. One of my biggest concerns is losing the data of each walk and not being able to report and verify the course. Using 2 apps and having an independent (of my phone) GPS and tracking device should alleviate this concern.

Eastie 1 Maps:

Please click on the highlighted links below.

MapMyWalk  Distance = 13.88 miles

AllTrails  Distance = 14.3 miles

I’m not sure why there is a discrepancy between the 2 apps – I started them at the same time, paused and restarted them simultaneously at lunch. I’ll use the lesser of the 2 as official total distance moving forward.

Google Photo Album: I encourage you to view the 144 pics and videos in chronological order of the adventure from home (5:16am) to St. Mary’s T at the Green C Line, to Wood Island on the Blue Line as the starting point. This was a solo walk.

Summary, observations, and reflections:

• Not much continuous sleep the night before Walk 1. Despite planning this for years, Game Day anxiety prevailed. No problem getting up at 4:30ish. Mind racing. Adrenaline coursing.
• Cereal consumed and detailed checklist studied before leaving the house. (I’ll post pics of the checklist after converting it to a WORD doc.)
• 66 degrees when I left the house.
• Not a long wait at the St. Mary’s T stop near my house. Big relief based on all of the recent problems with the T.
• Very happy to see the Dunkin’ open early with a short line at Government Center to get a cup of tea for the Blue Line ride to Wood Island.
• Extreme times of the day have a tendency to bring out kindness and comradery in (many) humans because of a shared, unique experience. This morning at 6:02am, 2 people in line in front of me quietly gave a woman asking a dollar – I felt compelled to follow their good lead/example.
• The woman working at Dunkin’ gets up at 4:10am every morning and she was very pleasant, but not annoyingly perky.
• Loved catching the crossing guard and kid share a spontaneous hug while a gaggle of students crossed the street on the way to school.
• Had a nice connection with a woman after she walked her kids to the Brooke School and kissed them goodbye. Listening to her kids ‘challenging’ her as she walked away, I said, “It’s not easy.” She replied, “No, it isn’t.” I told her my Mom had 10 and she told me her grandmother had 14!!
• After the 3-week heat wave, it was cool to see the Zamboni ‘snow’ outside of the skating rink.
• Warm sun on my face, sitting at the top of the lifeguard station on Constitution Beach, listening to the seagulls and planes taking off across the water at Logan reinforced one of the many reasons why I’m doing this. I never knew this existed and I love this adventure already…
• Maybe not as many as Revere, but lots of statues and wrought iron railings in Eastie.
• The breakfast burrito at Mi Pueblito in Orient Heights was very good and 10-year veteran server, Patricia was very hospitable. Thanks to Friends of Boston’s Hidden Restaurants for the recommendation. I’m surprised they’re open for breakfast. I was the only person there at 8:34. Looking forward to going back for dinner.
• The planes taking off over residential Eastie are REALLY loud, but similar to trains rattling by, I suppose one gets used to it in time.
• Pretty wild seeing huge corn stalks growing in a front yard in Orient Heights.
• Lots on triple-deckers, as anticipated. And tchotchkes, lots of them in front yards…
• I was very tempted by fried clams at Belle Isle Seafood, but this day was dedicated to Eastie.
• Swan Street is a very cool, private mini neighborhood in Belle Isle.
• Loved meeting Barbara out picking up litter. Further proof that we’ll share lots with strangers like cab drivers, often more than we will with family and friends. Barbara is #GoodPeople.
• I was blown away by the Madonna Shrine and view from the railing. Please watch the video. It’s incredible.
• Loved meeting Kristen, a veteran teacher at Bradley Elementary School. She was unloading her car prepping her classroom for the new year and very optimistic with less restrictions from the plague. SO many teachers use their own money for supplies. And many teachers are grossly underpaid. Hoping for a safe, productive, fun year for Kristen and all teachers and students.
• Thoroughly enjoyed the steak & cheese for a late lunch at Sammy Carlo’s. Old school.
• Finished the walk very much ‘alive,’ inspired, and rejuvenated. Only 1 walk in the books, and I can’t wait for #2.

Alan Miller, assignment desk manager for 7 News-WHDH emailed me on the morning of Walk #1 asking for an interview. Trung Dang met up with me on the road mid-afternoon. Great guy. Hard worker. Thanks to Alan, Trung, Kim Khazei, and Adam Williams for covering #WalkingBoston. Video here. Thanks to the T driver in the video for the cold bottle of water. It was wonderful to meet and talk with her and her daughter.

Despite the attention/’traction’ that the walk received, a major challenge ahead is inspiring donations to Make-A-Wish MA & RI and Stride for Stride. I’m going to make a concerted effort to reach out to businesses to pledge minimum donations tied to the total number of miles walked. There are a lot of creative ways that walk sponsors can get involved, including matching pledges, grant money, and product & brand endorsement. I’d love to hear from everyone who wants to be part of supporting #WalkingBoston and non-profit partners. Email: patrick@servernotservant.com.

Please subscribe to future blog posts for scheduling of upcoming walks by entering your email in the blue box on the upper left side of this post. Twitter and IG: @PatrickMBoston

Grass-roots donations to support #WalkingBoston and keep me walking and writing can be made here.

Thank you-Patrick

Here’s a glimpse of a few pics from Eastie Part 1:

 

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: GoFundMe

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 07/30/2022

It is extremely humbling to ask for financial support to fulfill a dream. Publishing my book, ‘I’m Your Server, Not Your Servant,’ [A Voice for Service Industry Workers Everywhere. A Case for Human-to-Human Service and Decency] has been a dream and work in progress since 2009.

After launching a few personal and professional ‘pivots’ recently, several folks reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my Walking Boston project and expedite the publication of my Server Not Servant book with a donation. This fundraiser is a grassroots initiative of small donations to help finance both complementary projects.

On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, I’m launching a walking journey in East Boston that will cover and showcase the heart of every Boston neighborhood. The inaugural walk departs at 7am from the Wood Island T stop on the Blue Line-Bennington Street side at the bus circle. Each walk will be at least a half marathon, 13.1+ miles. Large neighborhoods like Eastie, Dorchester, Southie, Roxbury, and Hyde Park, will be covered in 2 walks totaling at least a marathon, 26.2 miles. Smaller neighborhoods, the North End, Back Bay, West End, and Chinatown will be combined into one half-marathon walk. I hope some of you will join me for a portion of the adventure. All are welcome.

The inspiration, vision, mission, and goals of Walking Boston:

#1-Explore and showcase Boston’s neighborhoods by walking deep into every one of them, discovering hidden gems and the real ‘heart and soul’ of each hood. I’ll be sharing pics and experiences along the way while raising money for local Boston area non-profits. Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary. Others will be added as the walks progress.
#2-It’s time to ‘get out there’ (away from the computer) and inspire some real, tangible change and good in the world.
#3-Raise awareness and funding for my Server Not Servant book in progress advocating for service industry workers and ‘service’ to our fellow humans. The walks will also inspire content for the book. Walking is very conducive to creative thinking and action for me.
#4-Find a publisher and sign a contract (for book publication) before the end of the Boston walks.
#5-Promote and support Boston independent, Mom & Pop, neighborhood restaurants and small businesses.
#6-Walking with, and meeting, great humans.
#7-Learning more about Boston neighborhoods and enjoying the discovery and adventures along the way.
#8-The physical and mental health benefits of walking.

Yes, it’s ironic to raise money for a project with a mission that includes raising awareness and donations for non-profits. The reality is that #WalkingBoston could take up to 2 years and will cover more than 650 miles. The time, training, planning, logistics, and follow-up require finances to keep me walking, writing, and promoting the non-profits I’m partnering with.

Finances-Walking Boston:

• Technology for recording and reporting walks. [Laptop, phone, mobile chargers, website maintenance and hosting, etc.]
• Printing large maps from City of Boston website to plan each walk.
• Chiropractor, Stretch PT, Dental, and all medical expenses not covered by insurance.
• Shoes, socks, pants and vest w/pockets + clothes for walks.
• Snacks, water, food and beverage for walks, including for walking partners and people I meet on the streets and in the neighborhoods. [I’m working on distributing gift certificates to neighborhood businesses.]
• Transportation to and from walks. I’ll take the T whenever possible to save money.

Finances-Publishing Server Not Servant Book:

I am in the process of researching every option to publish my book. My preference is to hire an independent (preferably Boston-based) company for Book Proposal Writing and Editing for submission to publishers to secure a contract. If I choose to self-publish, there are several steps and costs involved, including editing, proofreading, illustrations, graphics, copyright, LCCN registration, imprint setup, printing, shipping, audio books, marketing, and promotions, to name a few…

A copy of the book will be shipped to everyone who donates here, regardless of the amount. Small donations add up and are greatly appreciated.

Please indicate if there is something specific from the lists above (or your own idea) that you would like your donation applied to.

Please Note: Proceeds from this campaign are not automatically donated to the non-profits I am partnering with. However, if donations are substantial, I may choose to designate some of the funds to those non-profits. Designated links to all of the #WalkingBoston non-profit partners can be found in this blog post.

Full Disclosure: If the amount of donations received exceeds the costs outlined above (or emergencies require), I reserve the right to allocate a portion of the funds received to help family, friends, and strangers I meet on my walks in dire need who wish to remain anonymous.

Thank you for your consideration and support. I’m grateful, even if you don’t donate. Please consider sharing this GoFundMe link and SNS blog with your network. I hope you’ll follow (and perhaps join) the journey.

Donations can be made here. 

Cheers-Patrick Maguire

#WalkingBoston #ServerNotServant

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Maguire Promotions-PR, Marketing, Social Media & Hospitality Consulting Monthly Subscription

Book Chapter: Rules of Engagement

Posted: 07/4/2022

I’m proud to announce the launch of Maguire Promotions Monthly Subscription Service available to restaurants and small businesses. This ‘pivot’ is the culmination of more than 8 years of operating an independent business providing PR, marketing, promotions, social media, and hospitality consulting. It is the continuation of my strategic initiative to leverage, monetize, and collaborate with the valuable network that I have cultivated and partnered with over the last 40+ years.

My current network consists of 2,800 (IG), 4,690 (Twitter), 10,400 combined Facebook platforms, 3,500 email, and 2,693 (LinkedIn) contacts, totaling more than 24,000 people. Every day of the week I review my social media feeds, multiple media platforms, email, and targeted Google alerts, constantly seeking ideas and tools to benefit my clients. I get it that business owners are looking for someone to sort through all of that for them because most are consumed with the day-to-day operations of their restaurant or business. I also know that independent, Mom & Pop, neighborhood businesses have been ravaged by the plague (myself included) and don’t have budgets for PR and many of the services that I provide. I’m offering a fair and reasonable way to supplement what you are currently doing to keep your brand current and relevant, broaden your customer base, increase your media coverage, and make more money.

I have immediate openings for new subscribers beginning August 1. The first businesses to commit via email, text, or DM by the end of business on Friday, 7/29 will begin the first 3 months of service upon receipt of payment. First come, first served. Beyond 7/29, pricing and availability will be TBD, based on availability of my time and ‘supply and demand.’

Email: patrick@servernotservant.com. Cell: 617-510-5682.

Services Included with 3-Month Subscription

1. Copies of Maguire Promotions Social Media Strategy, Social Media Daily Checklist, Event Promotions, Instagram Strategy, Successful Strategies at jm Curley, and Complimentary Content (media, reviews, etc.) Response.
2. Previous 3-month audit/review of all of your social media posts/content. Report findings and make recommendations to your designated team via group email. Phone consult after review of findings, if necessary.
3. Review of website, all social media profiles, branding, Google search, newsletters, and media coverage.
4. Read past 3 months of all online reviews and make recommendations. Discuss and understand business strategy with respect to ‘amateur’ reviews.
5. Daily review of all of your social media posts and threads. Provide feedback and recommend edits and responses in comment threads when necessary.
6. Amplify your social media posts by liking, commenting, defending, and sharing when appropriate, especially events you are hosting and participating in, and food & drink specials. This includes retweets with personal comments and #hashtags. (Yes, you should have a twitter account. I can help you establish one if you don’t.)
7. I will notify your staff of any opportunities I see to invite potential customers to your business. I often see threads online where people describe a scenario seeking a restaurant that is a great fit.
8. As I mentioned above, I will constantly be seeking ways to promote your restaurant/business and improve your operation. I read and review everything I can locally, nationally and internationally about restaurants and business, and will forward anything that I feel is relevant and can help you.
9. Access to my network for vendors, contractors, legal, licensing, and potential staff/recruiting referrals. I am often contacted by people seeking employment. For management positions, please see #12 in ‘additional services’ below.
10. Referral and introduction to Boston’s most professional and well-respected hospitality publicist.
11. Confidential vetting of prospective new hires.
12. Subscription includes at least one visit to eat and drink at your restaurant and promotion on my social media platforms. [$100 gift certificate included in pricing below.]  This includes encouraging my ‘followers’ to follow all of your social media platforms.  Just don’t call me a ‘foodie’ or an ‘influencer…’  (For additional visits and promotions, please see #5 below.)
13. Live phone conversations/consults following up on all of the above.

It’s very important to note that my services outlined above do not include taking over the management of your social media and creating content for you. My collaborations with monthly subscribers will work best with restaurants and businesses that have dedicated, internal, social media managers on your staff, or an external vendor. My complementary consulting role is best described as a ‘watchdog’ or advocate looking out for you, your business, and your team.

Pricing: Minimum 3-month commitment is $750, paid upfront, plus $100 gift certificate. The cost breaks down to $250/month. After 3 months, the cost to continue the subscription is $275 per month, payable 30 days in advance. After 3 months, the subscription will continue month-to-month until cancelled by either party with one month lead time. Payment can be made via Venmo @Patrick-Maguire-32, PayPal, or check.

FYI, I personally will be servicing all accounts and communicating directly with your team, no interns or anyone else.

Additional à la carte Services

Please Note: Services listed below are available to all, but discounted for subscribers.

1. Press release and distribution to media for special events, anniversaries, etc. (Pricing depends on whether or not I’ll be creating the content or just editing.)
2. In-person brainstorming/consult/strategy sessions.
3. Crisis Management.
4. Dedicated Blog Post featuring your restaurant/business, similar to this feature of Formaggio Kitchen, or this one on Vee Vee in Jamaica Plain. (Those offerings are no longer complimentary.)
5. As I indicated in #11 above, the initial, 3-month commitment includes eating and drinking at your restaurant or patronizing your business at least once. Promotion on my social media platforms accompany the visit. Additional visits and promotions can be negotiated with additional gift certificates beyond the initial $100. We can also work something out if I attend and promote events you are hosting.
6. Evaluate current training manuals and recommend edits, editions, improvements.
7. Attendance and/or participate in special events, ‘guest’ bartending, etc.
8. Staff Training-Hospitality Workshop.
9. Editing content of newsletters, emails, negotiations, strategic communications, etc. I also refer 2 retired English teachers to clients seeking technical, grammatical scrutiny.
10. Attend and evaluate staff training sessions.
11. Company email database management and newsletter services.
12. Management level staff recruitment. (Fee-for-service, 2-tiered. #1-Posting job. #2-Refering hired candidate = % of salary.)

If you’re looking for the most affordable way to boost for your business, I look forward to working with you.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you-Patrick

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‘Rules’ of Engagement in Civilized Society Include Restaurants by Dee Wolf-The Lobster Shanty Salem, MA

Book Chapter: Rules of Engagement

Posted: 01/19/2022

Today’s guest post by my friend, Dee Wolf, Chef/owner of The Lobster Shanty and Wolf Next Door Coffee in Salem, MA first appeared in my Server Not Servant Facebook Group where it garnered more attention than any other post in the history of the group. As of today, Dee’s post has been shared 350 times, 700 people reacted to it, and 136 humans commented on it. [The FB post cannot be shared any longer because it has been slightly edited.]

Diane is a savvy, seasoned, salty restaurant industry veteran, and clearly her poignant message has resonated with many. I’m reposting here to encourage more people to read and share her message with your networks, including media contacts for publication. The link to this blog post will make her message easier to share.

The more restaurant customers and humans who read Dee’s work, the better…

From Diane ‘Dee’ Wolf:

You don’t need to go out to eat.

You don’t need to sit at a bar and have drinks with friends.

If you want to, then there are some rules that our society needs you to follow. If you want to drink, you must be 21 years old, and we can only serve you during the hours that our liquor license allows. We require guests to be fully dressed, including shoes and a shirt. You can’t misbehave or disrupt other guests. You cannot smoke or vape inside the restaurant or on our patio. When you drive here you can’t just leave your car anywhere, you need to park it in a legal spot, or you’ll get towed or get a ticket. Don’t drive if you’re drinking alcohol. If you bring a dog, she can’t sit inside, and we need proof that she has had a rabies shot.

What I’m saying is, having rules of engagement in any society is nothing new.

We have the legal right to refuse service to anyone, at any time, for any reason, or no reason at all. But we are not unreasonable, and we welcome you to join us and stay. We want you to stay, we are in the hospitality business – but it is a business and there are laws, rules and societal norms that we all must follow to be part of this community. We take community building seriously.

I didn’t need to buy a restaurant.
I didn’t need to get a liquor license.

But I wanted to – so I had to do a few things; I got TiPS certified, ServSafe Certified, went to culinary school (which required me to be vaccinated for MMR, Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox, & Meningitis). I also trained with NEHA (the National Environmental Health Association) and created a HACCP (Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Point) plan to make sure my team handles food safely. I wrote a business plan, took out loans, and sold some personal items for seed money. I applied for a food permit & a liquor license. We had to have a health inspection, plumbing inspection, fire inspection, and building inspection just for our occupancy permit. Can’t just hang a sign, need to go before the Design Review Board for approval first. Want an A-frame sign? Need a special permit for that too. We must file and pay meals tax to the city and to the commonwealth, monthly. I need three or four different kinds of insurance, a payroll service, a trustworthy accountant, pest control, quality food & liquor vendors, trash, recycling, & compost removal. I must arrange for cooking oil recycling and knife sharpening. Clean that grease trap and snake the drains every quarter. Clean the exhaust hood and have the fire suppression system tested regularly. Train my crew, write a menu, buy plates & glassware, decorate the place, maybe get a couple of TVs, pay for cable or a satellite, maybe a jukebox service and an ATM. (Don’t forget to pay the four different musicians unions if you play a radio or have live music) Buy a Point of Sale system, arrange for credit card processing. Maybe secure a line of credit (or bootstrap it like we did). All of this needs to be done before we serve a single burger or pour one beer. The goal is to create a culture and an atmosphere that folks want to go to.

Yeah, you could eat at home – my job is to entice you to come join us and be part of our special community. Do you have to? No. Do I want you to? Yes.

We have done SO MUCH to get this restaurant ready for you, to make it fun, to make it safe – so you can let loose and relax for a while. The least you could do is not give my host pushback for asking you to follow the rules. Rulemaking is well above our pay grade here at our little Mom & Pop restaurant. Anyone who wants to ‘punish’ a local business for following new mandates from the city or commonwealth is shooting themselves in the foot – because all that will be left are big chains of boring food dished out by large, soulless corporations. If you want to live in a thriving, unique community; a community with heart and soul, do your fucking part. We’re tired of arguing with you, we’d just like to get back to hospitality if you don’t mind…

In the comments, Dee added, A handful of folks in cities with new vaccine mandates want to punish restaurants by boycotting them, I find this infuriating and heartless. If you want small, independent restaurants in your community, you need to support them.

Amen, Dee Wolf. Amen ♥

Dee can be reached via email at lobstershanty@gmail.com.

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