She's trying to help you understand that you need to charge more money so you're not running yourself into the ground trying to make a buck.  Your skills are worth more than $30.  But if you're happy working like that then the advice will fall on deaf ears.

I do feel like you are being a little defensive.  Anyone would raise an eyebrow about a person who runs two VERY demanding home businesses and is only getting a pittance for each cake. 

as far as i can tell--it's over an hour to the closest starbucks from poplar bluff--

AIt absolutely sounds condescending. I looked at some of your work as well as the others on here. All I have to say is I hope some of the cakes didn't take long to make. What special skill do you have that entitles you to teach anyone anything? Not trying to be condescending. Truly I'm not. Please tell me. Keep in mind now, if I simply slowed down it would be perfect.

ARaising an eyebrow?

AI have a daughter that is going to West Coast Baptist college in California. She is studying missions and is going to be a missionary. I have a sister and mother that I pay the rent for, a drug addiction class I teach on Fridays that I help financially and bills. 17 cakes is money. What would make a mother "work 2 highly stressful and demanding jobs?" Thank God u don't have to answer that. This is outrageous that people are so off that they focus on something that isn't even an issue.

AYep I got that. Raise prices. I seen some pics of your cakes. My question is how long did it take u to do those? I seen mistakes that we can discuss on here. If your preaching at me to slow down, it didn't improve the quality of your cakes. Don't get me wrong, they was cute. I appreciate everyone giving me advice. Truly do. Thank u so much.

Not die of exhaustion.

Suggestions for ways to improve your final product.

Make more money.  I'm not sure how you only had $9 into the bumble bee cake.  I would have had at least $9 just in butter for the cakes and icing ($2.50-$3.00/lb here).

You didn't specifically ask for advice...I shouldn't have given it.  

But when you say that you got slammed in a venting post, many of us helpy-helpertons (me) are going to offer ways to prevent it from happening again.

Good luck to you and your endeavors!

ACustomer was angry because it was delivered 10 minutes late. Not due to the other cakes. She said the cake was frozen. Not a chance. It was baked the day before. Thanks for the advice.

ACake was late because there was confusion about the destination.

Here's what "I seen" from your OP:

Quote:

Why are you letting them take you there? There is no right answer, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. That's how they roll. 

Take comfort and the fact that you are doing what you need to do to take care on your loved ones. You have stated that your prices are fair and that you are pricing your cakes appropriately for your market. What else can you do.  How, why, when, and where you run your cake business is just that, YOUR business.

Quite frankly, I don't know why your cake prices were even brought up.

AWow. You're not playing nice. You think that I don't know what I posted? I already posted what some of the issues were. The biggest grip was about the cake tasting frozen and the back looked like a kid did it. Not my best work. I have already admitted that I should slow down. Check the posts.

Enga, they were brought up because 17 cakes in a single day for a home baker is a lot.  Would you agree?

Would you also agree that maybe she wouldn't have to do so many if she changed her pricing?

Would you also agree that based on her OP and other things she's said in the thread that she rushed and that's why the customer was upset?

Would you agree that the rushing could be alleviated by doing less cakes which are priced higher? 

She DOES have the skills!  I never said anything bad about her decorating, just to echo what another person said about crumbs in the icing.  I would be unhappy to receive that as well.

AAnnieCahill I have already thanked you for your advice. I have already even said you was right. And once again, we all make mistakes on cakes. Your cake with the beach theme was very cute but u can see on the side where the icing or fondant wasn't smooth. Do I need to run that into the ground here? Did it happen because you had 17 cakes? Nope. Happened because you're human. Just shows that whether you're skilled enough to do 1 or 17, we all have mistakes that happen. Correct? I think u too have skill. Thank u for your concern. I will slow down.

AWo

A

ABeesKnees out costs are quite low here. I think with time, you can b great too. Really. I appreciate the advice. Slow down. Thanks everyone for sharing tips.

Myself and others tried to help the OP, I never said she had to perform to "my standards."  I don't think I'm being self-righteous by stating that she can avoid burnout by charging what she is worth.

If she wants to continue then best of luck to her...I already stated that and I mean it sincerely.

AI believe I've also stated that I appreciate the advice!!!!!!!! I also agreed quite a few times with u. Not sure as to why it keeps going.

It doesn't matter to me, I was trying to give her advice as this is a discussion forum and it's what we do, yes?  I also encouraged her as you can see from my posts.  I'm not upset.  Actually, K8's picture made my day.  I'm waiting for her to post it again.

A

oy. That was a personal attack.

I give up. How this thread went from venting to advice on decorating skills to pricing is beyond me. phoebe kay good luck with your cakes!