Do you have clients come to you, either for consults or to pick up orders? We are looking into getting something built/added on because my rental situation is well, having issues. I am curious as to how you handle it.
We live in a decent, quiet neighborhood but not fancy by any means and most of my clients tend to be more on the affluent side. Am I silly to be self conscious?
I would be gald to get some outside opinions on this. Thanks!

Hi Lenette - I have my customers come to me for pick up, if they want me to deliver, I charge. However, I dont do that many orders = jsut got licensed 6 months back. I do 1-2 a week. My husband is more self conscious about the house than I am. I am thankful I have a nice house, it may not be posh - not done up yet ( we spent all the money on the kitchen!), but its my home. I dont think it reflects on your talent as a cake decorator. I hope you reach a decision you are comfortable with. Just dont let "material trappings" be a decision maker.
Elaine

I agree. I am not licensed and am not required to be in Iowa, but I still bake out of my own kitchen. I moved to a 104 year old farmhouse a year ago. We are remodeling one room at a time as finances allow. Unfortunately, the kitchen is not a priority. My kitchen is pretty modern with a dishwasher and all the nice appliances, but it looks very outdated--harvest gold and avocado green would be welcome here. People have to come into my kitchen to pick up their cakes--it's also the first room inside the front door so it's unavoidable by company. They always comment on the Coca-cola collection lining the shelves (my attempt to attract attention away from the walls and cupboards) and how organized my baking stuff is. I have a small section of the kitchen devoted to cake stuff and it looks like a mini bakery. This always stands out to people and many have become repeat customers--even after seeing my frightfully old looking kitchen. So I know from experience that you just need to keep your space neat and clean. Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink, keep the floor swept, etc. Don't let someone with a bigger paycheck intimidate you. They asked you to bake the cake because of your ability, not because of your net worth. That means they already know your true worth. Elaine said it very well, "Don't let the material trapping be your decision maker."

I have had a few people come to my house to pick up cakes. I am not licensed yet so it is only friends of friends. The worst thing was they came when all our furniture was on a boat coming here. So they walk in the front door and all they could see was a clean tidy room with a small table and 2 ice boxes for chairs. I was so embrassed I had to explain that our furniture was on a ship. they still sent me more orders from their friends so it can't have made too much of a difference.
My point is through the rambling is it could be worse. Like everyone else said they want you to make their cakes thats all as long as it is clean and tidy and the cakes are good. Don't worry.

Hm, never had anyone pick up, but I live in the middle of nowhere and often deliver and use the trip for my shopping trip, that said, I agree with everyone that you should not be intimidated! Enough of the affluent people buy your cakes and you'll be buying their house! lol