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CanadianChick
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 05, 2009
Posts: 80
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Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:27 pm |
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you've also got to consider if you're really the type of person who can be self-employed...
not everyone can (I can't, I hate it).
Also think about whether or not doing this day in and day out would make you love it more, or would you start having fantasies about killing people by smothering them with a ball of Wilton fondant?
I had a small business once based upon my hobby. It absolutely killed off any fondness I had for that hobby. I have not engaged in said activity in years - I had LOVED it until it became my boss. Then I began to loathe it. In one year something that I had been eating, breathing and sleeping became something I didn't even want to touch!
All because I was tired of having to make product for people. I didn't hate it because I wasn't successful - I hated it because I was.
Someone said that you should find a job doing what you love. Yeah, maybe. Or, you can find a job that allows you to do what you love...in your free time.
So think about it. Will you really have the freedom and creativity you think you will? Will you wake up every morning eager to get into the kitchen? Will you enjoy selling yourself, and remaining calm when people say "how much? it's just cake!"
I'm happy being the accountant who makes cakes, not the cakemaker who still has to be her own accountant!! |
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CanadianChick
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 05, 2009
Posts: 80
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Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:28 pm |
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you've also got to consider if you're really the type of person who can be self-employed...
not everyone can (I can't, I hate it).
Also think about whether or not doing this day in and day out would make you love it more, or would you start having fantasies about killing people by smothering them with a ball of Wilton fondant?
I had a small business once based upon my hobby. It absolutely killed off any fondness I had for that hobby. I have not engaged in said activity in years - I had LOVED it until it became my boss. Then I began to loathe it. In one year something that I had been eating, breathing and sleeping became something I didn't even want to touch!
All because I was tired of having to make product for people. I didn't hate it because I wasn't successful - I hated it because I was.
Someone said that you should find a job doing what you love. Yeah, maybe. Or, you can find a job that allows you to do what you love...in your free time.
So think about it. Will you really have the freedom and creativity you think you will? Will you wake up every morning eager to get into the kitchen? Will you enjoy selling yourself, and remaining calm when people say "how much? it's just cake!"
I'm happy being the accountant who makes cakes, not the cakemaker who still has to be her own accountant!! |
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Motta
Regular Member
Joined: Jun 19, 2009
Posts: 189
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
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Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:42 pm |
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Canadian Chick - why Wilton fondant?? ha ha no one will eat it right?
Wow, you ladies have really opened my eyes. I love receiving the constructive criticism. I am absolutely a beginner but I've always wanted a career in the arts and this seems be something I suddenly and completely loved. I am practicing every week.
As for the weekends and long hours.......hmmmm....not great. I didn't know people had weddings on Sundays. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I work 30 hours per week at an insurance job which I really do enjoy most days. I make good money right now.
One other question: with all the time, blood and sweat...are you making a decent living? Is it worth it for you to do this? I'm thinking it must be because there's cake decorators in my town who have been in business for over 20 years. |
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miny
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Aug 27, 2005
Posts: 1053
Location: California
Birthday: Dec 27
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:05 am |
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| Motta wrote: | | Canadian Chick - why Wilton fondant?? ha ha no one will eat it right? |
Wow, I guess chick really want this people to suffer the most HORRIBLE death possible!  hahaha  |
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FromScratch
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 5368
Location: on an island in the sun...
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:50 am |
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I make decent money (when the ordesr are rolling in), but you have to charge a decent per serving price or you will be working for pennies on the dollar. You also have to ask, do these bakers who have been in this for 20 years make enough to call it a business... or is it a paid hobby? Do they have to support their familes with this?
It's easy to start decorating and love it... and think "hey... this could be easy money". But the decorating is less than 1/2 the equation. |
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indydebi
Forum Matriarch
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 22112
Location: Indianapolis IN
Birthday: Jan 19
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:00 am |
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It also makes a big difference if you're at at-home baker vs. storefront. There are big differences in overhead that have to be covered. |
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aligotmatt
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jun 22, 2006
Posts: 1030
Location: NC
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:17 am |
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One other question: with all the time, blood and sweat...are you making a decent living? Is it worth it for you to do this? I'm thinking it must be because there's cake decorators in my town who have been in business for over 20 years.
There is a lady in my town who has been a home baker for over 30 years. She is really nice and has no problem talking to you about her baking career and giving any tips you may want. She has told me and many other people in town that she is so blessed that her husband has a great job to support them and that she can do what she loves. |
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dkelly
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 16, 2008
Posts: 3638
Location: Red Sox Nation
Birthday: Nov 16
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Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:59 pm |
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I'll chime in late.
Can you make EASY money? NO. Can you make ANY money? It depends on the type of cake business you're thinking about.
Home baker just you baking..........probably not gonna get rich off of it.
Store front full service bakery with employees to help put out the goods......sure depending on location, you could be very successful and make a good living.
It all depends on what you are willing to put into it.
For me, licensed home baker, no I could never make what I make at my "real" profession and that's why I do it part time. I also know that if I did cakes 60 plus hours a week I'd begin to hate it. So it's a good balance for me to keep it a part time job. |
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Dizzymaiden
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 314
Location: Boston, MA
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Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:27 pm |
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[quote="Nchanted1"]If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I STRONGLY recommend that you get the book "The EMyth".
Just ordered the book (used) off of Amazon for under $5.00. Look forward to reading this. Thanks for the tip.
I have work experience, repeat orders and still it is hard to make ends meet. I work full time and was hoping to leave the corporate world behind.
It is important to have more than cake in your "menu". Sometimes I mention something like "tarts" and that sparks interest. Be ready to be flexible!
It is fun but also quite addictive! lol |
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jodilee
Newbie
Joined: Apr 25, 2009
Posts: 19
Location: Ohio
Birthday: May 16
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Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:46 pm |
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I'm so glad I read this thread, there is some great advice here! Makes me think twice about ever going into business making cakes. I enjoy making them for family and friends but feel that it would be too stressful to make a living out of it. People have commented "Oh, you should start your own cake business" and inside I am cringing and just smile back at them. People don't even realize how much work goes into some of the cakes.
Where I live, I wouldn't be able to make much money at all! First off, it takes me forever to do a cake because I'm learning on my own and second off, people don't want to pay much for cakes around here. I think I will just keep it a hobby and look for some other type of work once my kids are in school.
I'm so glad this topic was mentioned on here. |
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Motta
Regular Member
Joined: Jun 19, 2009
Posts: 189
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
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Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:20 pm |
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I think in some ways, things are changing. I went to Canada Day celebrations (like July 4th in the U.S.) and there was a lady selling cupcakes for $2.50 a piece and they weren't even really decorated. They just had different swirls of icing on them eg. pink or yellow, blue, etc.
Then I heard about a cupcake cafe opened on a trendy street in the city. They sell cupcakes for $2.95 each and I heard they don't even taste that great. They just look good.
Point is, people are willing to pay for special treats. I think with all the exposure of cake decorating on TV, people will start seeing this as more than a grocery store bakery product. They may start to see it as an artistic expression, which is what I think it really is. At that point, the skills we have practiced and developed may be worth more than they are right now. Just my thoughts... |
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Dizzymaiden
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 314
Location: Boston, MA
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Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:33 am |
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Motta - I agree. People will pay for treats - and if they taste awesome it will become a "go to" when something extra is needed!
When you mention cake - an image of buying a box and putting a couple eggs with oil comes to most peoples mind. Not so hard?
Instead of saying "I make cakes" I say "I create a special Japanese sponge with fresh fruit, real whipped cream and a secret ingredient". That usually makes them giggle (throws off the shock of my cost lol and then they say hmmm sounds yummy and go for it.
I charge what I feel is right. This time of year blueberries and strawberries are inexpensive - but I use only local eggs from a small organic farm along with only the highest quality product. Those who enjoy the taste always come bck for more.
I also agree that the time and energy it takes there is NEVER enough compensation for that! So you need to really love what you do and most important gain confidence to bang out a great product when needed. |
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