The difficult reality faced by many small restaurant business owners is evident and, in this case, is illustrated by the case of Javier, a Spanish self-employed worker who invested in his own business, in this case a bar, and ended up in a situation of financial ruin. This increasingly common scenario shows how a seemingly simple business can turn into a huge economic and personal challenge.
This story of Javier, owner of “Pou Café Tapes”, gained prominence after an interview, cited by the Spanish digital newspaper Noticias Trabajo, where he directly described the difficulties he faces on a daily basis. In a country where opening a bar is seen as a frequent and sometimes even safe investment, this entrepreneur’s experience proves that the reality can be quite different.
Optimistic business started
Javier started the project with enthusiasm and with an investment that he considered reasonable. According to him, he spent around 35 thousand euros to start the business, believing it would be a balanced and manageable opportunity. Over time, however, each sector’s demands ended up transforming this initial commitment into an increasingly heavier burden.
The businessman admits that the lack of experience contributed to some of the problems faced. In his area, he received regular customers, such as employees of local authorities and banks, but he was not prepared for the demanding pace of restaurants, where many customers arrive with limited time and seek speed and consistency in service.
Inability to hire
With increasing financial difficulties, Javier is no longer able to hire employees, according to the same source. The solution has involved the help of his wife and, sometimes, his daughter-in-law. Even so, the workload continues to exceed any reasonable limit. He himself explains that he works daily from seven in the morning to eleven at night, accumulating shifts that leave him physically and emotionally exhausted.
Financial pressure has become a constant and unsettling presence. On several occasions, Javier reports sleepless nights and hours spent thinking about unpaid bills and the inability to find immediate solutions. He says that he often arrives at three or four in the morning without being able to rest, worried about the next day’s commitments.
With few economic reserves and few prospects for recovery, the family faces a scenario that it considers unsustainable. Javier confesses that he does not have the means to continue the business for much longer and warns that catering, far from being a formula for getting rich, requires constant sacrifices that many are unaware of before opening doors.
Message for those who want to start a business
His message for anyone thinking about starting a restaurant business is clear. According to the owner, anyone who does not have experience in the sector should reconsider the idea, as the difficulties often exceed their good will or enjoyment of cooking. He also states that, despite not understanding how other establishments maintain themselves, he himself finds himself “in total ruin”.
Even in the face of so much adversity, Javier continues to try to maintain a sense of justice towards his clients, according to . Since the bar opened, it has not changed the prices of coffee or beer, and maintains the same prices both on the terrace and at the counter. He justifies this decision by saying that he understands that not all customers are able to afford higher prices and prefers to maintain an affordable service.
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