I've Started My Own Business
Hi, Stacy! It's been a long time!
"It's been a long time" is a common way of greeting. It means he hasn't seen Stacy for a long time.
So good to see you! It's been almost two years, hasn't it?
"It's been almost two years" means it has been almost 2 years since they saw each other.
Yes, it has. Last time we saw each other was at the barbeque party in Center Island. Are you still working for Brad & Finley?
Brad & Finley is the name of a company.
Actually, no. I have started my own business and have been working on it for almost a year now.
"I have started my own business" is in present perfect tense. "I have been working on it" is in present perfect continuous tense.
Really? That's amazing! What kind of business have you opened?
I have opened a [vocab word=cozy]cozy[/vocab] little [vocab word=gelato]gelato[/vocab] shop in downtown. I had always wanted to open a place for people to come and relax, enjoy good food, and catch up with friends.
"Gelato" is a type of thick ice cream.
It sounds like a [vocab word=lovely]lovely[/vocab] place. Have you been enjoying being your own boss?
"Being your own boss" means you are the boss (the owner, the CEO). It means you own your own business.
Absolutely! Before starting this business, I had been working for different companies for a long time, and I just wasn't satisfied with my job.
"had been working for ..." is in past perfect continuous tense.
Why's that?
"Why's" = "Why is"
Well, I felt like I wasn't truly making a difference at my old companies. [vocab word=plus]Plus[/vocab], I have always had a [vocab word=creative]creative[/vocab] side. My old company didn't give me a [vocab word=chance]chance[/vocab] to be creative.
"I wasn't making a difference" means "I wasn't helping people" or "I wasn't being useful".
I see. So, how has the [vocab word=journey]journey[/vocab] of [vocab word=entrepreneurship]entrepreneurship[/vocab] been for you so far?
"Entrepreneurship" means to own and grow your own business.
It has been [vocab word=challenging]challenging[/vocab], of course. I've had to learn a lot of new skills and have been [vocab word=manage]managing[/vocab] everything on my own. But, I have found it to be [vocab word=incredibly]incredibly[/vocab] [vocab word=rewarding]rewarding[/vocab].
"on my own" means I didn't have any other help.
What have you done to make your shop special? There are many gelato shops in downtown already.
I managed to build a [vocab word=loyal]loyal[/vocab] [vocab word=customer base]customer base[/vocab] in social media. My customers provide me with good [vocab word=feedback]feedback[/vocab], and I use them to improve my gelato. Also, I have [vocab word=organize]organized[/vocab] several successful [vocab word=event]events[/vocab] in the past few months.
"Managed to ..." means you were successful in doing something.
Wow, [vocab word=impressive]impressive[/vocab]! Has your job experience in your old company helped you run your own business?
To some [vocab word=extent]extent[/vocab]. I had learned a lot about time management and customer service when I was an employee. That experience has definitely helped me in my business.
"To some extent" here means Stacy's past job experience has helped her a little bit, but not a lot.
I'm glad that it's [vocab word=work out]working out[/vocab] for you. Do you plan to [vocab word=expand]expand[/vocab] your business or open another gelato shop in the future?
"It's working out for you" means you are successful at it.
Currently, I have been [vocab word=focus]focusing[/vocab] on my [vocab word=existing]existing[/vocab] shop. I'm still [vocab word=experiment]experimenting[/vocab] with different [vocab word=flavor]flavors[/vocab] and [vocab word=ingredient]ingredients[/vocab].
Can I try out your gelato one of those days?
Of course! I thought you'd never ask! Come with your friends. I'll give you guys 25% off.
"You'd never ask" = "You would never ask". Stacy thought Walt wasn't going to ask her to give him some gelato to try.
Great! I can't wait to try out your gelato.
"I can't wait to ..." is a common expression. It means I really want to do ... and I'm looking forward to it very much.
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