I was sipping my cup of cacao this morning, poring over the logistics for Agroverse.shop, when the Oracle’s words struck like a sudden insight: Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success. And then, Opposition. In small matters, good fortune. Dive into the full reading if you’re curious:
That vibe synced perfectly with a gem from Dr. Fong Ho Kheong during a talk hosted by @Vibhu Mittal. He redefined creativity in a way that cuts through the haze: Creativity isn’t about chasing artistic whims. It’s about forging solutions to achieve outcomes under demanding constraints. No constraints, no need for creativity—default is enough. Check out the talk if you’ve got a moment:
The Agroverse Flow: Scaling One Visit at a Time
Here’s the raw model for Agroverse.shop. I onboard a store once. If the bond holds and they stay afloat, the cacao keeps moving. My main variable cost? Gasoline and car maintenance. Growth pace is literally how quickly I can hit new locations. It’s not some boundless “scale to the moon” fantasy, but there’s a grounded simplicity to it—a steady, directional scalability that feels almost too clean.
I crossed paths with Bryan in Quartzsite, Arizona, while making rounds. He sells tea now, but he used to run cacao ceremonies as far as Michigan. Roasted beans himself, had folks—often ladies, he said with a smirk—grind them on stone grinders. A past life, fueled by an ex-Mexican lover, now behind him. He doesn’t consign with us; he’s got his own supply. Still, his tale stuck with me: cacao carries stories long before it lands on shelves.
The Real Constraint: Coordination Chaos with Brazil
What’s really testing me is the coordination nightmare with production partners in Brazil. Prices that slip and slide without warning. Unexpected hiccups in the production process that throw everything off. It’s not just about the work—it’s the constant unpredictability of managing partners across continents who seem to operate on a different rhythm. That’s the constraint I’m up against, and it’s forcing me to rethink the whole game.
San Francisco Shift: Seizing Control
That’s why I’m shipping all 683 kilograms of beans to San Francisco. It’s not a mere logistics tweak; it’s a direct counter to the chaos. Why this move?
- Tighter control over production—no more dancing to Brazil’s erratic tune.
- Better unit economics, trimming costs per batch.
- A base for AI-driven manufacturing automation (more on that in a sec).
- Competitive pricing along the West Coast, where demand is strong.
This is Dr. Fong’s creativity at work. The constraint of unreliable partners isn’t just a hassle—it’s driving a solution that’s sharper, not just a band-aid.
Mobile Manufacturing: Roasting, Cracking, and Innovating
Let’s break down the hands-on stuff, because constraints get tangible when you’re working out of a car. Roasting: I’m using a commercial roaster via @Val Lapidus, processing 3 kilograms per batch. With 499 kilograms total, that’s about 150 roasts. I’m handling this from my Toyota Camry, and yeah, it catches eyes. I’m just rolling with it.
Cracking and winnowing: The husks collapse with a light press, which is oddly satisfying to watch. My aim is whole, uncrushed beans—not shattered nibs. Most machines either over-roast or smash everything. So, I’m crafting my own setup, learning the physics firsthand. Constraints fueling innovation—textbook.
For ceremonial cacao, I’m leaning toward a pulverizer for powdered form: 2 minutes per batch versus 4 hours for solid bars. The numbers speak loud and clear.
The Wild Dream: A Chocolate Factory in a Camry
Now, here’s the offbeat idea that’s been simmering. Solar tech is maturing. 3D printing is getting practical. Large language models (LLMs) are opening new automation doors. What if I built a full-blown chocolate factory… right out of my Toyota Camry?
I’m already drawing looks for roasting on the go. If I manage a legit mobile factory, the sheer oddity could go viral. And viral means onboarding stores becomes effortless—they’ll want in on the story. It’s an inverse Genghis Khan strategy. He’d crush one city brutally under planks while his horde partied above, ensuring the next 99 surrendered without resistance. Me? I create something so bizarrely novel that the next 99 stores just swing their doors open. No violence—just a weird, captivating idea.
Reflections for the Day: Turning Chaos into Creation
Dr. Fong’s insight keeps looping in my mind. A chocolate factory in a Camry isn’t just a quirky notion; it’s a direct response to constraints—unpredictable partners, limited capital, and the mess of cross-continental coordination. The Oracle’s “treading on the tiger’s tail” feels right. I’m stepping into shaky ground with Brazil’s unreliability, but maybe the tiger doesn’t bite if I pivot swiftly. Opposition, as the reading hints, brings fortune in small matters. Small like 3-kilogram batches. Small like a Camry. Small like starting with 683 kilograms.
So, I’ve got a question for you—what frustrating constraint are you fighting, when it might just be the nudge to build something entirely new? Drop your thoughts. I’m curious.
- Technology
- Startups
- Innovation