Week 2 EOC: Eating Raoul

While watching a film in class, Eating Raoul, a movie made in 1982, we were able to see many of the steps one should and should not take while opening a business. Some of the most obvious things that came up were things such as the importance of the name you give your business. Does the name you chose allow the potential customers to easily identify the product that you are selling? The movie told us that the protagonists initially wanted to name their restaurant “Chez Bland”, after their last name. However, this was not a good choice. When you think of paying for a service and food, you are most likely not going to want to spend your money at a location that has the word ‘bland’ in it. Another important aspect of attaining a business is the financial side. How are you going to raise the funds necessary to do so? In the movie, Paul and Mary started off in a very conventional manner. They wanted to get a loan from a bank. They soon ran into issues there because the loan officer tried to frisk Mary. They tried to still see this plan through though. They took it a step further and sold some of their existing assets. Paul and Mary had somewhat of an advantage due to the fact that they were already involved in the field they wanted the loan for. Having experience as a nutritionist, Mary would be able to create a healthy and well-proportioned menu. Paul also had experience, as he was a wine merchant. The both of them together would have a good foundation and increase their chances at a successful business.

 At some point, the couple decided to change their business plan based on their circumstances. After they meet Raoul, the neighborhood thief and jack-of-all-trades, they decide to allow him to partner up with them. They expand their capital by an in home business venture. Mary becomes a dominatrix and lures in clients. After they get them in their home, the men, Paul and Raoul, dispose of them. This allows them to generate alternate revenue. They bring in even more cash flow from selling the cadavers to local businesses and also sell the victims cars. This is a smart solution for them because it proves that there are no barriers to entry. They get rid of the evidence as well as continues to bring them closer to their financial goals. It is always a smart idea to have more money than you initially think will be needed to supplement your needs.

Eventually, Paul and Mary dispose of Raoul. This illustrates that no one is indispensable in any field.

“As an entrepreneur, your current and future customers should always be your top priority. Above all, marketing is the way a business tells its customers that it is committed to meeting their needs. Marketing should constantly reinforce your competitive advantage.” Pg 130

You are simply a means to an end. The couple went on to open up their restaurant as they had set out to do. Along the way they made pretty atrocious mistakes, which in the film, served to teach us aspiring entrepreneurs what not to do. On the flip side, there were many basic keys that are great reminders of what one should do.  We should make sure we have a plan ‘A’ and plan ‘B’ in place. Let’s not be caught off guard when we hit a brick wall. They overcame challenges and made their dream come true. The cost was high, but for them, it was worth the risk.

Mariotti, Steve. Entrepreneurship: Starting and Operating A Small Business, 4th Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions, 2016. [The Art Institutes].