Is it worth it? Absoutely! Do I love it? More than you know! Would I make the same decisions and do it over again? You betcha! Is it way more work and harder than I thought? No question about it!
This was going to be my questions. Yes, there are some downsides, as with many businesses, jobs, etc. However, my questions would be to any of you, although there are downsides, do you enjoy what you do? Would you have your career any other way?
I follow other business owners on Twitter and alot of them talk about the hours, lots of cakes, etc. However, they couldnt be more clear about how much they love would they do. And yes, I know that it takes much more than love. LOL!
SugaredUp Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 16, 2008
Posts: 431
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:11 am
I have a question for all of you business owners...
Do most of you run your shop independently, or do any of you have partners? Do you think having a working partner would help the stress/overworking at all. I'm sure you'd still want to be in there as much as possible since the shop is your baby, but if you found someone you trusted?
Just curious because I may be partnering w/ someone, and I'm hoping to share a lot of the responsibilities...
Tee-Y Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: 311
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:29 am
leahs wrote:
Well . . . Pink, I've heard about an easy way to make money, but it involves street corners . . .
LOL Even that is not easy, ask those involved!!!!!
__Jamie__ Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 16, 2008
Posts: 5016
Location: The less seriously you take me, the better off we'll all be!
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:35 am
cakesweetiecake wrote:
indydebi wrote:
Is it worth it? Absoutely! Do I love it? More than you know! Would I make the same decisions and do it over again? You betcha! Is it way more work and harder than I thought? No question about it!
This was going to be my questions. Yes, there are some downsides, as with many businesses, jobs, etc. However, my questions would be to any of you, although there are downsides, do you enjoy what you do? Would you have your career any other way?
I don't know how else the answer to your questions could be worded. I think we all feel this way!
DDiva Regular Member
Joined: Jun 30, 2005
Posts: 196
Location: NC
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:38 am
Easy??????? Yeah, okay!!
I worked legally from home for almost 9 years. That becomes an almost 24/7 job because you throw in 'house' stuff too.
I've been in a shop for almost 3 years now. Just pulled a 17 hour day a couple of weeks ago. Overhead bites, but business is good (storefronts DO make a difference. Peoples perception and all that). Had to move twice in one year....that's a whole 'other story. Savings account has $10 in it. May have to move again...building for sale and I was just told.
I've missed several out of state funerals; graduations, weddings, cookouts, parties; etc. Couldn't make the Christmas party at my husbands job last year.
Would I do it all again??? Absolutely!! I LOVE what I do. And after years of making other folks businesses better, it's MY turn. My child is grown with a family of his own; my husband retired young and has embarked on another career. It's my turn, and I wouldn't give this up for anything. I'll probably die rolling out fondant .
Make no mistake Pink. This is hard work. No one really appreciates the amount of work that is required except another decorator. I teach a business class for people wanting to start in this business. One of the most important things I try to convey is that you better love doing this. I've worked sick, with a broken leg, no sleep...name it; but I worked.
A partner? Thought about it, but the right person hasn't arrived. For now, it's me...with a little weekend help when need it. A part of me likes it that way.
DDiva Regular Member
Joined: Jun 30, 2005
Posts: 196
Location: NC
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:40 am
Easy??????? Yeah, okay!!
I worked legally from home for almost 9 years. That becomes an almost 24/7 job because you throw in 'house' stuff too.
I've been in a shop for almost 3 years now. Just pulled a 17 hour day a couple of weeks ago. Overhead bites, but business is good (storefronts DO make a difference. Peoples perception and all that). Had to move twice in one year....that's a whole 'other story. Savings account has $10 in it. May have to move again...building for sale and I was just told.
I've missed several out of state funerals; graduations, weddings, cookouts, parties; etc. Couldn't make the Christmas party at my husbands job last year.
Would I do it all again??? Absolutely!! I LOVE what I do. And after years of making other folks businesses better, it's MY turn. My child is grown with a family of his own; my husband retired young and has embarked on another career. It's my turn, and I wouldn't give this up for anything. I'll probably die rolling out fondant .
Make no mistake Pink. This is hard work. No one really appreciates the amount of work that is required except another decorator. I teach a business class for people wanting to start in this business. One of the most important things I try to convey is that you better love doing this. I've worked sick, with a broken leg, no sleep...name it; but I worked.
A partner? Thought about it, but the right person hasn't arrived. For now, it's me...with a little weekend help when need it. A part of me likes it that way.
PinkLisa Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 31, 2009
Posts: 245
Location: New Jersey
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:49 am
Thank DDiva for your words of advise.... working hard is something I know a lot about. The big difference in the cake profession vs that in finance is that making cakes is very physical unlike sitting at the computer all day. I love the contrast though and many people these days are doing a 180 degree career change. Reinventing yourself can be fun and challenging.
WAIT a second... There is ONE way to make "Easy" money doing cakes....that doesn't involve the street corner ... That is...
You get a JOB working for someone else who will pay you minimum wage to decorate cakes!!!!! Seriously, you make A LOT more money even at minimum wage if you figure it out by the hour, AND you get to take time off...
umgrzfn Frequent Member
Joined: Apr 25, 2009
Posts: 377
Location: University of Montana....GO GRIZ!
Birthday: Sep 22
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:32 am
leahs wrote:
Well . . . Pink, I've heard about an easy way to make money, but it involves street corners . . .
hahahahahaha ROFLMAO I was thinking that before I read your post!!
kakeladi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: May 26, 2004
Posts: 6248
Location: Northen Indiana
Birthday: Aug 11
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:49 am
.........my flowers are too old and droopy to sell for very much.....the cart's pretty rickety too.........
Oh my heavens!!! I haven't laughed this hard in ages .......Something I sorely needed today.
kakeladi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: May 26, 2004
Posts: 6248
Location: Northen Indiana
Birthday: Aug 11
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:09 pm
I sooooo agree w/the others. This is NOT an easy profession........there are all the drawbacks every one has already mentioned and then some.
Usually most of us would never do this but I want to point out a few things about the one and only cake you posted. Overall it's beautiful - well done;..... but there are a few things that you will have to learn before you can be rolling in the dough ($$$$$$).
Look carefully at the pillars. They are not straight. There should be a small border at the bottom of each tier. Look at the bottom tier ruffle.....right in front you see black (chocolate cake?). That needs to be covered w/a small shell or bead border.
Yes, I know not all my cakes are perfect! And there are some that I will never post:) I'm not trying to say we are all perfect and each & every cake needs to be totally, completely perfect. Just that you (and all of us) need to watch for the little things that *make* the cake stand out and make customers flock to us.
holywhackbecky Newbie
Joined: Jun 20, 2009
Posts: 5
Location: Garland, TX
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:26 pm
indydebi wrote:
Sell, sell, sell, constantly. I've seen threads where folks comment that they just hate talking to people and pushing/promoting themselves. Then get a job at a grocery store bakery where you can just decorate because selling is Job One. If you're not selling, you're not baking.
I just quit my job at a grocery store bakery today, you still have to sell yourself. I got fed up with being told I wasn't producing enough, when our sales were up over 15% over last year.
Quote:
You get a JOB working for someone else who will pay you minimum wage to decorate cakes!!!!! Seriously, you make A LOT more money even at minimum wage if you figure it out by the hour, AND you get to take time off...
I worked for a family owned bakery and I rarely got requested time off, worked weekends finishing cakes, deliveries and set ups. I've seen how hard it is and after today I want to do it for myself, for all the hard work I wanna say it's mine.
PinkLisa Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 31, 2009
Posts: 245
Location: New Jersey
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:04 pm
One HUGE positive about cake decorating is that people LOVE their profession. Many people work LONG hours in a job they hate and make very little money doing it.
all4cake Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 02, 2006
Posts: 3930
Location: NC
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:07 pm
SugaredUp wrote:
I have a question for all of you business owners...
Do most of you run your shop independently, or do any of you have partners? Do you think having a working partner would help the stress/overworking at all. I'm sure you'd still want to be in there as much as possible since the shop is your baby, but if you found someone you trusted?
Just curious because I may be partnering w/ someone, and I'm hoping to share a lot of the responsibilities...
It would depend on the person...if the goal/purpose/dream is the same....if there's an understanding-spelled out and clear-of each others' likes and dislikes, expectations, abilities, willingness/offerings to each other and the business...if you can communicate with each other without a major meltdown(sometimes, a meltdown is inevitable...stress gets to everyone).
I don't know that I could allow someone else in to my place as a partner. I would consider a from the start type joint venture with someone else if all of the above was settled first.
indydebi Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 22112
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:15 pm
Agree with all4cakes, that it depends on the person. I can think of only 2 people who I'd be willing to 'partner' with. One has been in the food industry for 20 years and the other is my sister, who would be fabulous at handling the office-side of the biz.
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