I am posting under a different name for obvious reasons - cut throat competitors and the like. Those of you who are in business can understand why we must be careful what we post in public forums like these. So, here goes...
I own and operate a custom cake decorating business for the past two years. I'm licenseed in a commercial kitchen, insured - everything by the book. I only do fondant cakes, no buttercream, and I work alone. My business took off overnight after the word got out and I did a few bridal shows. I spent over $30K last year alone on equipment and supplies. This year will probably be higher than that.
I am starting to feel overwhelmed. Two weeks ago I slept a total of 8 hours over the course of three nights. My husband couldn't believe I was still alive and functioning with such little sleep. My arms and hands hurt. My feet are killing me. I have started to dislike baking. I make an average of two to three large wedding cakes each weekend. By large I mean 100 - 200 servings average each. It can take me up to 20 hours (and sometimes more) to decorate an elaborate fondant cake.
The baking has stopped being fun and I find myself rebaking entire batches of batter because I'll forget to add one thing or another. I have considered hiring someone but feel uneasy about bringing someone in and training them, only to have them open down the street from me as is the case with several people I know.
I have no time to spend with my family because I am always working. I've stopped making dinner altogether. When I am not working, the last thing I want to do is step foot in my kitchen, cook and wash dishes! When I don't have my hands in sugar, though, I long for it.
And here's even more to rant about....cheap customers. They take up so much of your time. I tell my customers to leave my tasting for last! I have also found that most brides want more traditional designs than trendy ones. After awhile, the same cake designs get a little boring.
What do you do? I love what I do, but not so much anymore. I love the decorating, but am starting to dislike some of the other work. How do you hire someone and train them - but most improtantly, trust them, with your sought after recipes???? I don't know that I have enough business to make it worth someone's while since I have limited myself to the orders that I can complete on my own. I have been preparing to open a shop, but I now have reservations given the way I have been feeling.
My husband took a considerable paycut last year and my business currently suppliments our income. I was a woman who 'lunched' prior to this and was bored stiff with nothing to do but clean and decorate my house. I thought this would be fun, but I didn't expect this much success so quickly and the demands that go along with it.
My work is top notch. I compete with the best of them. I am just starting feeling the 'burn' and don't know if it's just me, or if this happens to others as well. For those of you with cake decorating businesses, I would love to hear from you. You can't imagine how important and valuable your input is to me. If you don't want to post publically, feel free to PM.
Thanks for listening.
AllCakedOut Junior Member
Joined: Jun 16, 2008
Posts: 84
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:54 am
I know where you are coming from, as I'm sure I'm headed in the same direction. A lot of the same story here in general, actually.
Right now, the most important thing for you to do is to take a real look at your routine, and figure out what can most easily be delegated. If you don't want to do the office work, hire someone part time to deal with that. If you don't want to bake / fill, that should be pretty easy to find someone to hire.
You should see a lawyer about getting a pretty hefty non compete / confidentiality agreement done. I'm pretty jaded about hiring, and the trust issue is something that's going to be hard for me. I'm looking to get a great agreement done, then find someone who really has no interest in going off on their own.
Other than that, sounds like you're in a great - but defining - position. Handle this well, and you'll definitely be on track for some serious long term success and growth.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14221
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:54 am
first, what you're going thru is very normal. I remember seeing on TV a show about starting a biz, and the owner said, "Don't expect to get any sleep." So when I would feel overwhelmed, I'd remember this and believe it or not, as tired as I was (4 hours sleep a day for about 2 years), it was comforting to know "wow....I'm normal."
Hire someone to come in and wash the pans, prep (grease) the pans, foil-cover your boards, trim the cakes, wrap them to put in the freezer, mix colors of icing, wash dishes, take out the trash, general clean up. You'd be AMAZED how much having someone else do these little chores really frees up your time. It's not the time it takes to do this stuff .... it's the interruption when you have to STOP decorating to mix up a 1/2 cup of green icing for that handful of leaves you need to put on there. I have 6 girls working for me. All of them are 15 years old and they are AWESOME! They are not interested in opening their own shop, so I've no problem handing them my cookie recipes so they can make dough.
There are many weekends where I stare at my schedule and ask "Why did you BOOK this many?" (It made sense at the time! ). I don't want to load the van, I don't want to cook 40 lbs of chicken, I just don't want to do it. Then I put one foot forward. On Sunday, when it's all over, you can't pry me off of my couch and don't you DARE change the channel off of Liftetime!
And we have a standing joke in our house: "I'm a caterer .... my family LIVES on fast food!" Heck, just last night we had Kraft Mac-n-Cheese with hot dogs and canned baked beans. My 15 year old was dancing in the kitchen 'coz we were finally having REAL food!
I'm sure everyone feels burnout once in awhile. When demand goes up, so can your prices. Weed out your customers and concentrate on HIGH paying jobs. Then you could do fewer cakes but make more money. I know it's easy for me to say-I am not even close to being in that situation but that's what I would do.
When this is no longer fun, you need to change something to remember why you got into it in the first place-just like marriage. Keep things new and fresh, demand more money and have fun again. Maybe hiring a helper-like a high school girl who JUST bakes the cakes or mixes icing or colors fondant is what you need. She won't be in there to open her own business and you won't have to pay a decorator's salary.
Good luck to you!
littlecake Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 18, 2006
Posts: 1574
Location: the fine line between genuis and insanity
Birthday: Nov 21
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:04 am
Bless your heart, i know....there are days i come home...and i hurt so much i can barely walk.
i'd start out by hiring some cleaning help, after i'm done decorating on saturday my girl comes in....and i just leave her the entire mess....you can't imagine how much that has taken off me, having some cleaning help.
july it seems like the work load eases up some, maybe you can get some rest.
suzylynn58 Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 03, 2006
Posts: 225
Birthday: Mar 15
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:04 am
Serveral years ago I had my own business also (restaurant and catering). I can definitely understand where your coming from. I tends to take over your life, especially the humdrum duties that go along with it.
I currently work a full time job (not food related) where I make more than I ever would doing cakes/catering in my location and a lot less physically demanding.
I have been flip-flopping on whether or not to try to get a legal kitchen on my property because of the very reasons you stated. I love the creativity and thrill of producing a cake that a client raves about, but wonder how long it would be before I burn out. I stay very busy just doing cakes on weekends through word of mouth. I am not getting any younger and am exhausted on Monday mornings when I have to go to my "real" job. BTW, I would not be able to give up my day job for another few years till DS gets out of college and on his own.
Anyway, I finally contacted the health dept and they would require me to put in a commercial grade sewer system. We are in a rural area. That is not an option for us because of maintainence issues. So I am looking at that as my answer for now. I actually feel a little relieved that someone else made the decision for me. Does that make sense?
I'm like you, when I'm up to my armpits in batter and frosting I ask myself why I'm doing it, then when I don't have orders, I am depressed. Go figure.
I'm sure this didn't help you alot, but just know that your not alone in feeling the way you are. And I don't have any answers for employees issues. I am such a control freak, I would find it very hard to turn over stuff to someone else even without considering the possibilites of them "stealing" my business.
Hope you work it all out!
Susan
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14221
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:07 am
suzylynn58 wrote:
I'm like you, when I'm up to my armpits in batter and frosting I ask myself why I'm doing it, then when I don't have orders, I am depressed. Go figure.
I don't do cakes for pay and certainly have no idea what it is to own a business, but I thought I'd just throw this out there. When my children go back to school and I have a bit of time to do something more than my Mommy-duties, I would very much like a part-time job working in a bakery. And yes, I'd love to decorate, but I wouldn't mind the little work, either, provided the environment is right. But more important than any of that, I have absolutely, positively no desire to open my own business. None. Zilch. Nada. So, maybe there are people in your area who would like working in a creative environment, who would enjoy the job without any interest in being competition.
And if you're in Tampa and can hang on for 2 more years, I'd be your icing, dishes, etc. girl! I like to be around cakes, like to participate in the process, but have no inkling to deal with taxes, payroll, insurance, etc.
Christy
KHalstead Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Dec 03, 2005
Posts: 5097
Location: Northeastern Ohio
Birthday: Dec 05
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:10 am
I think hiring a couple teenagers is the way to go too, you can tell them they're apprenticing and pay them less LOL j/k. But seriously, do you have any family members, maybe some neices or nephews that may be able to come in and help out. You'd be surprised how happy they are to just have somewhere to go and something to do! I think indydebi is right about all that little stuff, and there are a million things that can be done that don't include the baking and decorating. I dream about one day walking into my own shop and just pulling out already perfectlly baked cakes from the freezer or countertop and unwrapping them and decorating, not having to have even had a thought about when I was going to bake them,did I remember the eggs?? etc. I think I'm going to try and sniff out some teenagers lol. Oh and also, a crockpot/slowcooker is invaluable. My DH knows when he sees that thing on the counter I've got a load of cakes to do. I throw everthing in the night before pop it in the fridge, next day pop it in the thingy and plug it in. Then I don't have to THINK about dinner at all! Sometimes if I'm going to have a busy week I'll take several meals (slowcooker meals) and pop each one into a huge ziploc bag and pop em' in the fridge at the beginning of the week and then everyday I can pull one out, dump it in and turn it on. There are millions of things you can cook in the thing. If I need more than 3 days of meals I just freeze them in the zip bags. I've thrown entire meals into that thing frozen and put it on low in the morning and it was cooked perfectlly by dinner time. Good luck, take it easy and don't be afraid to tell people you're booked!!! Especially if it's another boring cake you really don't feel like doing!
SweetConfectionsChef Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 21, 2006
Posts: 986
Location: Texas
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:27 am
I've been exactly where you are! Until I found out I was pregnant in February I was trying to figure out how I was going to keep going at the pace I was running at. I had 1 to 2 wedding cakes and atleast 10 custom cakes per week not to mention the 2 corporate catering accounts I picked up. One was lunch M-F and the other was spuratic but most months it was also every work day. I had 1 full time and 1 part time workers. I say had because I sold my shop in May....I could barely keep my head above water as it was and I didn't know how I would do it in my third trimester or with a baby in tow. I am still having problems cooking dinner or even baking cupcakes! Burn out of somehting you truely love really sucks. I really do understand! Had I decided to keep the shop I would have dropped one of the caters....it just wasn't worth the stress.
My full time worker was there for catering and catering only. She worked M-F and helped with the shopping, loading, unloading, putting things away, cooking the lunches, delivery and clean-up at the end of the day. It worked out really good.
My part time worker came in on Wed, Fri, Sat. On Wed she cleaned EVERYTHING in my shop (floors, ceiling fans, bathroom, ect). Friday's were bake and freeze day for the next week which she became really good and quick at. This left me to finish decorating of course after all of the catering was done. Friday was our longest and most dreaded day.
Saturday I liked running the front so she would clean, clean, clean so we could start all over on Monday.
Her job started out as cleaning only and then I added the baking which was the BIGGEST help! OMG! I was making bank with all of the catering so money wasn't tight but I'll tell you, if I were you, I would scrape up $600 a month to hire someone to help....if you find the right person you won't regret it. Start with less intimidating duties (like cleaning) and work up to other things. Also, definately make them sign a non-compete/privacy clause. I always hired people as contract workers and 1099'd them at the end of the year. You'll have to relinquish a small bit of control for their assigned tasks but it will make your life so much easier, and fuller when it comes to home time!
summernoelle Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 1318
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:29 am
Oh, I totally understand. I was so bored before this, but completely overwhelmed by it now. There isn't time for anything but cakes-and the baking and cleaning takes the longest.
If I had my way, I would hire someone to help me with my most hated issues-which was everything Indydebi suggested. Trimming/leveling cakes (aaaaack), sweeping the floor from that, scrubbing pans, dealing with tinting fondant, etc. There are so many "busy" chores to be done that I would hire a person for that, and concentrate on just the baking and decorating-let someone else do the cleanup!
Mike1394 Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 933
Location: Michigan
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:31 am
CONGRATS. I mean that in the most sincere way. It's a wonderful feeling. The baby you created is going strong, and ready to take it's first steps. The business is ready, are you though? This where it becomes hard. Do you let the child grow, or do you cut back for sanity reasons?
On a side note. I'll offer my services as a traveling baker. I'll travel from one CC member to the next helping them bake. I won't care about your recipes, why? Because I bake better than you anyway. LOLOLOL. I might even let you "steal" some of mine.
How about it when do I get my first booking?
Mike
playingwithsugar Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 4871
Location: USA - Operation Baking Gals - See My Signature For The Link!
Birthday: Nov 20
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:31 am
I do not know where you are, but many counties have vocational high schools which teach culinary or bakingg/pastry arts. Would your business have you in a position to hire one of those students as an assistant? They could go on a cooperative program, and get school hour credits for the time they spend in your shop.
You wouldn't have to teach them everything you know, just have them do the cleaning, some icing and crumb coating, and piping basic borders. That would free you to concentrate on the more technical aspects of the business.
Theresa
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 14221
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:45 am
Mike1394 wrote:
CONGRATS. I mean that in the most sincere way. It's a wonderful feeling. The baby you created is going strong, and ready to take it's first steps. The business is ready, are you though? This where it becomes hard. Do you let the child grow, or do you cut back for sanity reasons?
On a side note. I'll offer my services as a traveling baker. I'll travel from one CC member to the next helping them bake. I won't care about your recipes, why? Because I bake better than you anyway. LOLOLOL. I might even let you "steal" some of mine.
How about it when do I get my first booking?
Mike
Mike, you're welcome in my shop anytime you're in the area!!
PattyT Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 30, 2007
Posts: 226
Location: South Jersey / Philadelphia
Posted:
Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:47 am
Oh Cakeburnout, please don't give up! I admire you so much for having the courage to put yourself out there. Your great success shows that you have the talent and drive to do what you love.
I agree with the others that you need HELP! But don't be afraid that they'll leave and start their own shop.
Some people (read here, "Me"), do not like the Sales aspect of business and negotiating with clients; we are too afraid to take the financial risk of licenses/insurance/equipment, and we would happily work away mixing green frosting, crumb coating, improving my gumpaste skills making flowers, piping hundreds of roses for you - and yes keeping the place spotless for you. I KNOW that I am truly a behind the scenes person - or better yet an invaluable, reliable right-hand assistant.
There are lots of us! And we are toiling away in office jobs, giving away everything we bake to friends because we'll never have your "balls" to be legal and licensed.
Please don't give up - just take the advice of the others. Take a deep breath, and - quoting indidebi take the next step.
...and p.s. if you are in South Jersey/Philadelphia PM me!
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). I don't want to load the van, I don't want to cook 40 lbs of chicken, I just don't want to do it. Then I put one foot forward. On Sunday, when it's all over, you can't pry me off of my couch and don't you DARE change the channel off of Liftetime! 
I like to be around cakes, like to participate in the process, but have no inkling to deal with taxes, payroll, insurance, etc.
