How Dishboard Saves Bistro Karel the Work of an Entire Person
When Carolina and Elena first stepped into the renovated family house, their minds were filled with visions of guests savouring speciality coffee and homemade lemonades among the flowers. “We wanted a little paradise - coffee amidst greenery, selling houseplants and weekend barbecues,” Karolína recalls with the excitement of opening. However, the reality of running a business proved tougher. Even during the first month of operation, the accounting tasks placed an enormous burden on them. How did they save the work of an entire person?
Dream vs Reality: the First Shock Without Dishboard
- 150–250 invoices per month
- Paper binders
- Daily chaos
- Frustration and lack of overview
“There was no overview. It was pure chaos. I’m a total chaos person and I was fishing out crumpled receipts from months ago. I thought I’d never catch up with the paperwork.” – Carolina
- Relying on an accountant
“I relied on the accountant, I’d hand her a bundle of paper receipts, forward electronic invoices by email and get back spreadsheets with missing items, which I then had to correct.” - Carolina
Amidst the whirring of coffee machines and guests’ laughter, endless Excel sheets and evenings by the printer lingered in the background. They organised weekend events and small pop-ups, but the financial side of the business was a nightmare.
Clashes with Suppliers and Payment Challenges
Karolína often negotiated prices with her favourite farmers. Many sent invoices only in paper form, necessitating daily phone calls, checks and manual transcription.
“Some suppliers just don’t want emails. We have to call them and encourage them to switch to digital communication. Now I understand, showing them how it saves their time helps. Gradually, they were pleased not to have to pack paper.”
During the first months, she called more than ten farmers daily, running a small “educational campaign” to get invoices digitised. As a result, weeks of late payments were temporarily eradicated, supplier relationships deepened and with Dishboard, it became effortless
Karolína often negotiated prices with her favourite farmers. Many sent invoices only in paper form, necessitating daily phone calls, checks and manual transcription.
“Some suppliers just don’t want emails. We have to call them and encourage them to switch to digital communication. Now I understand, showing them how it saves their time helps. Gradually, they were pleased not to have to pack paper.”
During the first months, she called more than ten farmers daily, running a small “educational campaign” to get invoices digitised. As a result, weeks of late payments were temporarily eradicated, supplier relationships deepened and with Dishboard, it became effortless
Do you know how to correctly calculate food cost?
This metric can be calculated on several levels, which you can read about in our article on food cost. This includes taking stock inventory into account, as mentioned.Launching Dishboard: a Turning Point
Within a few days, their first furrows of worry vanished, replaced by amazement at the simplicity.
- Initial meeting on email invoice import
- Two or three follow-up emails concerning recurring payments and QR codes
- Trial month: processing approximately 200 invoices so the entire team could become accustomed
Within a few days, their first furrows of worry vanished, replaced by amazement at the simplicity.
“Initially, I feared it would be complicated and time-consuming. But after just two emails, I understood how it works. I forward the invoice, the QR code pairs it, and before I know it, everything is done. It’s such a liberating feeling.” - Elena
How Dishboard Transformed the Daily Routine
- Email invoice import
- Clear payment calendar
“Nowadays I don’t need to check bank statements. I open the calendar and immediately see what and when to pay. I can’t believe how simple it is.” - Carolina
- QR codes & payment pairing
- Duplicate detection
- Roles & permissions
“Approver”: Carolina and Elena approve with a single click.
“Viewer”: the accountant has read-only access.
- Ingredients and payroll expenses & reporting
- Everything in one place and on mobile
„Dishboard saves us the work of an entire person.“ - Elena
First Impressions and Long-Term Satisfaction
Karolína and Elena appreciate the intuitive interface and swift support. They discuss future features.
Karolína and Elena appreciate the intuitive interface and swift support. They discuss future features.
„And now I’m most excited about cashflow analysis and bank integration—just set it up, and that will be our second Christmas.“ - Carolina
Return on Investment, Joy and Free Time
Previously, Carolina would laboriously print, pack documents into binders, transcribe and re-transcribe spreadsheets. Today, all she needs to do is forward documents to a special email address or photograph them. The system then handles the rest: categorising each document, extracting data, logging the due date and creating reminders.
Previously, Carolina would laboriously print, pack documents into binders, transcribe and re-transcribe spreadsheets. Today, all she needs to do is forward documents to a special email address or photograph them. The system then handles the rest: categorising each document, extracting data, logging the due date and creating reminders.
„Now I check Dishboard once a week. I usually have a coffee, look at the numbers and go home. The relief is indescribable.“ - Carolina
Elena adds enthusiastically that, instead of daily hunting for receipts, she now looks forward to planning new pop-ups.
And How It Is Now?
Today, Carolina and Elena only need to check the Dishboard overview once a week to ensure everything is running smoothly. Instead of stress over paperwork, they can plan summer pop-ups, a new garden zone and family outings. Elena sums up their relationship with Dishboard in one sentence:
“For me, Dishboard is genius, we have more time for creativity and less for routine.”
Every day around six o’clock, they leave the business with peace of mind, knowing that Dishboard has processed all documents automatically and prepared a summary of balances. In the evening, instead of paper admin, they enjoy a short yoga routine or meditation among the houseplants, while the system pairs payments and updates cashflow and they finally relish the feeling that their business finances are truly under control.
Today, Carolina and Elena only need to check the Dishboard overview once a week to ensure everything is running smoothly. Instead of stress over paperwork, they can plan summer pop-ups, a new garden zone and family outings. Elena sums up their relationship with Dishboard in one sentence:
“For me, Dishboard is genius, we have more time for creativity and less for routine.”
Every day around six o’clock, they leave the business with peace of mind, knowing that Dishboard has processed all documents automatically and prepared a summary of balances. In the evening, instead of paper admin, they enjoy a short yoga routine or meditation among the houseplants, while the system pairs payments and updates cashflow and they finally relish the feeling that their business finances are truly under control.
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