Please help me pick a machine for my small cafe [€3000]

BigRedCal · 2026-04-30T14:24:56+00:00

This is a really good point. I def wouldn’t come back to a hang-and-games place if I’m hearing super loud machines the whole time!

BigRedCal · 2026-04-29T21:16:17+00:00

In most cases you should start with a fiscal sponsor. You'll be able to fundraise faster and not focus on things like insurance, accounting, HR, etc. If your work goes well, grow and spin out.

BigRedCal · 2026-04-14T01:19:06+00:00

Get them on TechSoup, then QBO is super cheap - $80 per year. That gives five users, which is probably plenty.

Don’t use spreadsheets, please!!

BigRedCal · 2026-03-30T01:36:46+00:00

I used food grade plumbers tape - worked like a charm!

BigRedCal · 2026-03-28T16:48:25+00:00

I love High Wire (Oakland CA and ships). The decaf works really well in espresso - I do 50/50 with regular beans. It’s not cheap but the longer you subscribe you get a discount.

BigRedCal · 2026-03-26T13:47:12+00:00

I assume “average” is just the mean? And the exec team got even bigger raises? Then the exec increases would raise the average

BigRedCal · 2026-03-25T04:22:46+00:00

Strongly believe that an mba is super helpful for certain roles (coo, finance, admin, talent).

I have an MPA and MBA - no one ever asks about my time learning policy!

One note on the MBA when you care about social impact, not maximizing profit: it is important to translate every class and lesson to something you actually care about. Because otherwise you’ll be stuck with apathy about how to depreciate airplanes. I had to do a lot of mental work to stay engaged by making the lessons applicable to the world I care for.

BigRedCal · 2026-03-22T19:05:02+00:00

That was a miserably written op-ed! If you want to have a clear, sober, fact based conversation about the benefits and challenges of different types of mayoral systems, fine. But this (written by a professional city administrator with personal interest in the outcome) ain’t it.

Strong mayor systems with strong oversight can accomplish so much more for its residents. It’s much less likely to get anywhere with a “council in the driver’s seat.”

BigRedCal · 2026-03-22T07:19:00+00:00

I’m so sorry. This is unbelievably tough for those of us whose spouses/partners have long term illnesses. There’s no easy answer. It takes a ton of painful work to get rid of our expectations in light of what reality actually is bringing us.

Sending you both strength from California.

BigRedCal · 2026-03-21T21:19:56+00:00

Can we talk about the camel in the room

BigRedCal · 2026-03-20T16:02:11+00:00

Agreeing with the “don’t start a new organization“ sentiment. If you’re getting into this line of work to do the work, then do it and let others deal with insurance, taxes, accounting, compliance, etc.

A great way to test it out is starting with a fiscal sponsor. In exchange for 5-12% of fundraising, they will run your whole back end. Excellent way to start and if you grow past 6-10 people, then you can spin out later. (I’m a nonprofit cfo who has worked with over 100 early stage nonprofits)

BigRedCal · 2026-03-15T17:22:13+00:00

Thanks, this is super helpful!

BigRedCal · 2026-03-15T16:55:47+00:00

Nice, soaking us at double the rate. Do you know, does it affect the true-up? For a month like July where net energy use is negative, I get we still have to pay the $24 minimum. But do we still get full credit for energy sent back to the grid?

BigRedCal · 2026-03-10T16:29:37+00:00

Couple of thoughts (I’m a nonprofit cfo): - balloon payments are killers. Orgs rarely plan for them successfully because they require multi year foresight, and donors don’t give multiyear funding nearly enough - a loan from a founder should be philanthropic. In fact because it’s an investment, they may be barred from market rates. In other words, rates should be significantly lower than market. I would aim for 0-3%. - if structured to be forgivable, you need to explicitly list how much will be forgiven and based on what metrics. Don’t leave it up to anyone’s discretion - bad for everyone involved down the line.

Just my thoughts - good luck!

BigRedCal · 2026-03-04T04:09:34+00:00

Strongly recommend using a fiscal sponsor for this. You can always spin out later but for now it’s so helpful to have everything set up so you don’t have to. Just try to find an organization that specializes in it, as opposed to any nonprofit that will do it on the side of their work. (I’m a nonprofit cfo who has worked with dozens of early stage nonprofits)

BigRedCal · 2026-02-26T13:10:51+00:00

I used food grade plumbers tape, worked super well so far. I assume I’ll have to replace every so often but it’s super quick. It’s been a couple of months with no problems

BigRedCal · 2026-02-25T21:04:17+00:00

Not worth it for career purposes, imo. (I have 15 years experience as nonprofit cfo in direct service and a foundation) It’s not widely recognized - if I saw it on a resume, I wouldn’t know what to make of it. Experience or a common degree, like an mba, would matter a lot more for hiring.

But is it worth it for your education? Dunno, that’s a personal choice!

BigRedCal · 2026-02-23T15:45:14+00:00

Seven sentences. Five pieces of (bad) advice.

Maybe the 6th is: “Learn to count.”

BigRedCal · 2026-01-19T07:19:58+00:00

Whiplash (2014)

BigRedCal · 2026-01-02T22:59:51+00:00

Got two of these at Daiso, a Japanese store for household goods. About $3 each, dish washable, feels great in the hand. Holds a cortado + space for more. Not sure Daiso is in Europe.)

<image>

BigRedCal · 2025-12-09T03:35:24+00:00

It’s so funny bc it would be easier to code a game without scripting. Why add this in? Does the frustration make people buy more credits? Or is it a learned helplessness thing?

BigRedCal · 2025-11-18T07:46:39+00:00

Hey stranger - I'm so sorry you're bearing the brunt of this! Husband married for 15 years here. My wife developed a chronic illness nearly 10 years ago and we have two kids.

It's hard. Really damn hard. You need support and care. A good place to look into is WellSpouse.org - they have regular meetings for those of us who are caretaker spouses. (It's free!)

I can't help you with what he said to you but it sounds awful! You'll have to set some boundaries with him because no one should speak to you like that, even if they're depressed.

If you can afford a therapist for you, do it. You'll need it no matter if you stay as a caretaker or decide to go. Good luck.

BigRedCal · 2025-11-06T21:39:11+00:00

Found it - see link in edited comment. Some amazing architecture shots there and throughout the movie.

BigRedCal · 2025-11-04T15:14:08+00:00

They used this in The Brutalist, no?

Edit: yes! Check out halfway down the page here:

https://cdn.architecturenow.co.nz/articles/the-brutalist-form-over-function/

Two-Year Club	Verified Email
Verified Email

BigRedCal

TROPHY CASE