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Author: cakesweetiecake,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:28 am    Post subject: For those of you who are in business, how did YOU learn the
BUSINESS side of things? I'm referring to actually running/managing/handling the business side of things. Did you take classes, read books, have a mentor, etc/? Just curious how you learned the stuff outside of the baking and decorating.
Author: ButtercupMama,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:57 am    Post subject:
Hi there!
I learned a good amount from working at other places over the year, and just seeing how a business runs. I also took a fabulous marketing course at my local community college.
I read a couple of books, and found Entreprenuer Magazine pretty helpful, and inspirational. However, I do still feel ill-equipped (business-wise) to run my shop. As a result, I'm really overwhelmed to this day!
I would suggest a well-rounded variety of business courses thru your community, and also, do read the E-Myth if you can. I am only halfway thru it, but it is well-renowned for folks like us... that is, "technicians" who are switching roles to be the boss.
Good luck!! Very Happy
Author: indydebi, Location: Indianapolis IN PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:25 am    Post subject:
I was very fortunate that my corporate world jobs actually trained me in that regard.
- I've hired, fired and done performance reviews, been in charge of training (HR);

- I've been in management for customer service, shipping, and sales/marketing, including being responsible for determining what kind of budget I need and staying inside that budget.

- I've traveled the country giving workshops (that I've written) on how to sell our products & I've sold life insurance; I've been super involved in community activities that have put me on a stage, in front of TV cameras and on the radio (sales & marketing);

- I spent LOTS Of years working in accounts payable/receivable and some collections;

- I've been in charge of warehouses (one in Indy and one in Ariz), shipping, logistics and inventory control (talk about DETAILED work!);

- I've negotiated purchasing major items, such as fork lift trucks, warehouse racking and trucking rates. (I even put one gentleman in his place when I bought an ice machine for the office and he didn't think this woman in a flannel shirt and blue jeans could afford an $800 ice machine, when I was authorized to spend $100,000 on the overall project on my siganature alone!)

- I've been the person who figures up the price on our product, taking into account our factory overhead and which factory could make it and give us the most profit;

- I've done lots of political work, including fundraising (wife of a candidate, and when I gave VP Dan Quayle a big 'ole Debi-Hug, my husband said that yes, the Secret Service DID take one step forward! Laughing ). I put this in the sales and marketing column

Bottom line? THere's an advantage to being old! LOTS of experience in LOTS of things! Thumbs Up!
Author: tracycakes, Location: Arkansas PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:40 am    Post subject:
Mine's not open (yet) but I agree with Debi. Being older has lots of advantages. I worked in a restaurant during high school and college and did almost every job there. I had lots of corporate training, I've been a manager and supervisor, interviewed lots of people, hired people and my husband has had his own business before. We've gotten a few books specific to bakeries but nothing beats experience. We talked about me working at a local bakery for experience but I really didn't want go to work for someone just to get experience and then open a shop to compete with them. That just wouldn't be right. Our local small business association also has lots of training opportunities and have been a wonderful source for training and information.
Author: tracycakes, Location: Arkansas PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:42 am    Post subject:
Mine's not open (yet) but I agree with Debi. Being older has lots of advantages. I worked in a restaurant during high school and college and did almost every job there. I had lots of corporate training, I've been a manager and supervisor, interviewed lots of people, hired people and my husband has had his own business before. We've gotten a few books specific to bakeries but nothing beats experience. We talked about me working at a local bakery for experience but I really didn't want go to work for someone just to get experience and then open a shop to compete with them. That just wouldn't be right. Our local small business association also has lots of training opportunities and have been a wonderful source for training and information.
Author: leah_s,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:26 am    Post subject:
Damn, Debi, I've done about 80% of those very things also. I also have an MBA and grew up in a family business. Ahh, the advantages of being old. . .

Seriously, you should have a local Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, or some such group that trains and mentors new biz owners.
Author: varika,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:35 am    Post subject:
My mother and I are looking into starting a pastry business together, and our local community college has an associates' degree program in Food Service Management. We've decided that to start out, I'm going to go to do the Baking and Pastry Arts program and she's going to do the Food Service Management program, and then we're going to switch off and each takes the other course part-time while we work the business together. That way we both know how to run the business end as well as the kitchen end--especially since Mom's only about ten years away from retirement age and I'm, well, a lot further off.
Author: cakesweetiecake,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:31 am    Post subject:
Thank you all for your responses. I actually browsed the local community colleges courses and found some business classes that I could take if I were ever to turn this hobby into a business. For me, I think I'd feel more comfortable with some business knowledge behind me if were to take that route. While browsing, I just became curious as to how others did it!

Again, thank all of you for your responses!
Author: jillmakescakes,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:12 pm    Post subject:
ok- so I'm the odd man out here-- not old (no offensive Debi and Leahs, you said it, not me Laughing ) no long list of previous jobs and no college education.

I learned the business aspect by reading info online from the state department-looking up regulations and tax code. I asked several other business owners- some local, some not (I actually called a few out of state bakeries to ask a few questions.)

I also started out SUPER SMALL. I ran my business from rented space for a year and only took one wedding per weekend and maybe one occasion cake. That helped me to ease into some of the paperwork, while still getting my feet wet.

When in doubt, ASK!!! While CC is a great place for basic info, you can't beat a good attorney or accountant- trust me, I've tried- they just seem to like it Embarassed
Author: cakesweetiecake,  PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:32 pm    Post subject:
jillmakescakes wrote:
ok- so I'm the odd man out here-- not old (no offensive Debi and Leahs, you said it, not me Laughing ) no long list of previous jobs and no college education.

I learned the business aspect by reading info online from the state department-looking up regulations and tax code. I asked several other business owners- some local, some not (I actually called a few out of state bakeries to ask a few questions.)

I also started out SUPER SMALL. I ran my business from rented space for a year and only took one wedding per weekend and maybe one occasion cake. That helped me to ease into some of the paperwork, while still getting my feet wet.

When in doubt, ASK!!! While CC is a great place for basic info, you can't beat a good attorney or accountant- trust me, I've tried- they just seem to like it Embarassed


Thanks for responding. When I asked, I knew that there would be a variety of paths. I'm interested in hearing about them ALL! LOL!
Author: CakeForte, Location: Internet PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:44 pm    Post subject:
I majored in public relations and business in undergrad, did lots of outside research. My first job was in corporate America for Big Blue...it can't get any more corporate than that. I also worked for caterers and resorts, then I got a master's degree. Some trial and error is also thrown in there.

I constantly research though because there is always "something" that I need and don't know.
Author: littlecake, Location: the fine line between genuis and insanity PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:18 pm    Post subject:
ditto the "old thing"...i've had some kinda business since high school...except for my short stint as a housewife.

when i decided to do the bakery thing in the late 90's, i worked at several different bakeries...i learned different things at each one.....
Author: suzylynn58,  PostPosted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:30 am    Post subject:
If you have a Small Business Development Center in your area, they are a great source of FREE help. The one in my area is located at the local university. They gave me a list of all the agencies I would need to contact to get licenses, tax ID #, etc. Advice on record keeping, employees, etc. Very helpful and best of all FREE!!!!

Susan
Author: CakeForte, Location: Internet PostPosted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:39 pm    Post subject:
Yes, the small business development centers are there for you! I was lucky enough to have one right on my college campus, which serviced the local area, so I was able to have several meetings with them while I was in school.

Also, like Jill...I constantly read the legal codes. You can't really trust what the front office workers tell you because it's just "job" to them, so you might get the wrong information.
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