Sorry this is gonna be a long one, but I really need some advice from you guys who have been running your business for a while..(or even maybe in the same boat!)
The past 16-18 months have been nuts! I have been working 100 plus hours a week, with a week off here and there, and the business is literally bursting at the seams. I began to really dread talking to brides, dread making another batch of buttercream, and the little bleep sound of quickbooks was giving me nightmares! I decided screw this, it just wasnt work it and decided to close up shop and go work for someone else.
I worked for someone else for a few weeks part time while finishing my work. I hated it. Nothing against that person, they were wonderful, but I missed working for myself. Do you know what I mean? I got spoiled. Real spoiled. But I figured I would get used to it.
Then i start getting emails from customers, saying I cannot close up, our area needs me (very few of us are really doing good quality cakes, that are still made right and taste good and aren't costing an arm and a leg!) I have brides who wanted to send friends to me and were so disapointed. I had other BAKERIEs tell me that I cannot close up, (some offered me jobs to come decorate for them if I do) as they enjoy working with me so much. (We aren't a very competitive area..again, we just don't have many GOOD bakeries around here!)
Then in come my finacial advisor, who offers some really good ideas on how I can not be so exhausted and still keep going. One of them is to hire a part time baker (15 or so hours a week) so I can do my gum paste work and such while they are baking. We have the room and a culinary jr college right up the street form us, so that seems like a neat idea. Taxes are MUCH easier then we thought for this area (we thought it was going to be a nightmare!) so we can actually afford it. My DH said he will take over doing the contracts and quickbooks (he knows it well) and doing the costing with the brides (the part I hate the most..I am too thin skinned) We would raise our prices (he says to get rid of the bottom 15%, which our finicial guy said you should do every year!)
This would drop my hours from 100plus a week to closer to 50-60 hours a week (which beleive me is great!) I have had some light weeks the past few weeks (just 2-4 weddings) and this has helped me clear my head a little. We were thinking of just taking in weddings and grooms cakes and high end sculpted cakes..and then offer some designs for baby showers and such they can pick from, where i can have a lot of stuff already premade and decorating would be quick and easy. (the cakes would not be prebaked, just the designs premade) and made a schedule of when we would be closed, including all Sundays. (no more consultations all day long on Sunday!)
What do you guys think? Money will continue to be tight for us, but shoot, bakeries are only paying 12-14 dollars an hour for decorating. my other option would be to just back into the IT field (which I HATE!)
Would love to hear your opinon! Is it too late to just start over again? (sorry for the typos, I am from the UNIX world where we don't use real words. hahahaha)
countrycakes Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 19, 2005
Posts: 343
Location: NC
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:39 am
WOW! Your business really has boomed........I don't have any sage and tried and true advice....but I hope you do what you feel is best........
PS: Send me some of your business! I am having a hard time getting customers.....everybody wants something for nothing.....gr...........sorry to rant there!
I just can not give away cakes.....
peacockplace Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Oct 25, 2004
Posts: 2753
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:49 am
I think raising prices and moving to all wedding and upscale cakes it the way to go. It will free up a lot more time. Also, I'm sure hiring someone would help a lot. Best of luck! It seem like you have some really loyal customers!
I think that you should try do what you have been advise, with all that business you had I am sure that starting again will not be a problem at all.
Trust your unstincts
My best wishes to you,
RRGibson Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 28, 2007
Posts: 703
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Birthday: Jun 16
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:00 am
Believe it or not, I'mthinking of going to just wedding cakes also. Cakes aren't all I do in my business so when I get the birthday cakes and stuff like that, they tend to just get on my nerves. I feel like I'm only making those cakes and other small orders to pay for supplies for the wedding cakes, which is necessary but it takes time away from other things. So, I think that's a good idea, that's where the bulk of your income comes in anyway, weddings and other large party cakes. But if you decide to continue on with all cakes, I think if you can afford it, a PT employee would be great. I lucked out and am getting an intern this month and I can't wait! Maybe I'll have time to breathe again!
RRGibson Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 28, 2007
Posts: 703
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Birthday: Jun 16
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:01 am
Believe it or not, I'mthinking of going to just wedding cakes also. Cakes aren't all I do in my business so when I get the birthday cakes and stuff like that, they tend to just get on my nerves. I feel like I'm only making those cakes and other small orders to pay for supplies for the wedding cakes, which is necessary but it takes time away from other things. So, I think that's a good idea, that's where the bulk of your income comes in anyway, weddings and other large party cakes. But if you decide to continue on with all cakes, I think if you can afford it, a PT employee would be great. I lucked out and am getting an intern this month and I can't wait! Maybe I'll have time to breathe again!
tracycakes Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 27, 2007
Posts: 643
Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Birthday: Apr 24
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:03 am
That sounds like an excellent plan to me and I love hearing about it! I love the idea for the pre-made decorations for the shower cakes and going after high-end. I've been working on my skills with some possible plans for a bakery in the future but I don't want to kill myself working either and that is what scares me away more than anything.
The plans we've talked about are going after high-end and charging for them....basically the cakes I can't afford and would never purchase myself.
I love your plan! Keep us updated on how things work out!
soccermom17 Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 289
Location: New Hartford, Iowa
Birthday: Aug 02
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:04 am
Do the part time helper to bake. While I enjoy making my cakes/desserts from scratch, it does take a lot of time. When what I really want to do is decorate! I think that would be first, then raise your prices and adjust your menu (so to speak). Definitely schedule one day closed a week. This should help you get your sanity back, get some sleep and be ready for the next bride! Good Luck!!
-Michelle
Solecito Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 05, 2006
Posts: 744
Location: Cd. Juarez, Mexico
Birthday: Mar 12
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:23 am
Seems like you already have a plan. Go for it!!
leahs Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 19, 2007
Posts: 2859
Location: Louisville, KY
Birthday: May 29
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:40 am
I think you've got a plan! You might also consider buying gumpaste flowers. Although I can make them, thery are not worth my time, especially when I can buy beautiful ones for cheap.
justsweet Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 26, 2005
Posts: 1494
Location: Sunny California
Sounds like your plans is going to work. You should look at your calendar and schedule yourself a three day weekend in September - so you can rest. Also, decide on some other days you may want to close so you and your family can rest and have time together. (thanksgiving weekend and the Christmas day until New Years - if you can. ) Having some breaks in between even if it a three day weekend may help you, go get a massage or just sit on the couch and relax.
Good luck with your decision, I am sure it is going to be the right one.
homecook Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 1496
Location: At my desk, in the garden, or in the kitchen
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:51 am
It does sound like it might be time to hire some help...but...
Just be sure that it *pays* to hire the extra help, and that you can handle dealing with employees--who can be an endless headache of "I can't make it today; I'm need more $; I need to leave early; my mom says you're working me too many hours; I think I have an earache".
My DH and I have found over and over that hiring someone to help in our business full time so DH can have a life that doesn't include 100-hour weeks, means we have to up production a certain amount to cover the wages, withholding, unemployment tax, etc, but we're not making any more money; we're just getting more deliveries done and sometimes (only sometimes) saving him a little time. It always turns out to not be worth it, (we've gone thru 7 different "helpers" in the last year or so), so we have decided to tough it out for two more years until some of our big heavy equipment loans are paid off and we can relax a bit. I tell him, "Until then, bud, you better smack yourself on the butt and grab another gear, 'cause it's just you."
So you you have 3 choices:
1. Hire help, with the headaches and expenses that it entails (and there are headaches).
2. Raise prices and reduce order quantities.
3. Smack yourself on the butt and giddyup go until you can afford #1 or #2.
I'd try the specializing and raising prices--I'm so sick of employees today that I can't tell you.
I just took a call from my DH while I'm typing this: Our newest teenage helper (family--WORST group to choose from) says now his mom doesn't want to drive him to work any more, and he wants tomorrow off to do something fun, and he has football starting, but he could maybe come help on Friday? DH told him to go home and call it a summer.
Another one bites the dust...
Good luck! It sounds great that your business is growing and filling a need in your area!
Kim_in_CajunCountry Frequent Member
Joined: Apr 19, 2008
Posts: 283
Location: South Louisiana, smack dab in the middle of Cajun Country
Birthday: Sep 08
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:52 am
Go for it! You did it before and now you have a chance to do it again, but differently based on what you have learned and the advice given by others.
I would think this would be an easier decision than if you were still working at your I.T. job and trying to decide whether to leave it, or not.
BTW, I'm in an I.T. job and envy you for leaving yours to pursue your cake decorating dream job. I am well compensated and have excellent benefits, but the same isn't true for DH, so leaving my job isn't an option. Instead, I cheer on those of you who are able to follow their dreams.
You've gotten off to a good start because you have a plan. Now go for it! Good luck.
costumeczar Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 18, 2007
Posts: 647
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:12 am
I second that advice to raise your prices and go the wedding cake/sculpted cake route. That's all I do, except for an occasional birthday cake for wedding cake customers only. I don't take random cakes from people whose weddings I haven't done. The little cakes are the ones that drive me crazy, and you can't charge enough for them to make them worthwhile, most of the time.
margaretb Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 04, 2008
Posts: 218
Posted:
Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:19 pm
Go for it. If you still feel burned out in a few months, you can close up again. No ones going to chain you to the mixer and glue a decorating bag in your hand and tell you that you had your chance to get out and you blew it. Maybe send out a letter to all your past customers thanking them for past business and encouragement, and here are the changes you are making to your business.
I like your baby shower cake idea of having set designs.
Is it worthwhile to sell just sugarpaste work for someone who can bake and ice a basic cake but wants to punch it up? Just a thought, since it seems that is what you enjoy doing.
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WOW! Your business really has boomed........I don't have any sage and tried and true advice....but I hope you do what you feel is best........
I am having a hard time getting customers.....everybody wants something for nothing.....gr...........sorry to rant there!
