Well, I took the plunge today. I filed for a fictitious name! I will be hanging my license at a bagel/deli shop owned by my sister's friend. She isn't even going to charge me! I was so ready to get my own place, and found something affordable, but it has some very expensive remodeling issues. Great location, great price, but everything else is not so great.
So this bagel lady said she remembers how frustrating it was for her to get started. You can't get funding easily unless you're established, but you can't established without money!
So she said I could put a dummy cake in her shop along with brochures and the like. I'll give my market a test run for a while and see what kind of business I can draw in with just word of mouth and some inexpensive advertising ideas that I have. That way I'll know how big of a place I'll need, what location, how much I can afford, etc.
This is like a dream come true! I can't believe it, I'm actually going to be running with the big dogs soon!
I'm nervous, excited, tired, restless - heck, I don't know what I am these days!
Ok, enough already. I just really wanted to share with people who can appreciate the business and the first steps of the "experience".
Thanks for listening, all!
Oh, I'm getting licensed. I'll just be using the deli as my place of business, and working there after her hours, which end at around 3 pm.
By inexpensive advertising, I mean printing brochures and visiting establishments like party supply places, wedding planners, event rental places, florists, hairdressers, etc. I've lived in this area for 28 years, so I know alot of people who can connect me with the people I don't know.
Another good means of "advertising" is, wherever you go, a store, a doctor's office, anyplace, leave a brochure there. Somebody will pick it up and look at it. If they're not interested, they'll put it back down and someone else will see it. I learned about that when I sold Avon. There's nothing illegal about it at all.
sorry, I misunderstood you
Guess I'm the step or two behind you sorta. I'm working by the word of mouth method right now and it's kinda slow but at least it's working a little. I sold some of my cakes (the multiple ones in my photos) to a shop owner this weekend and if they "move" as she called it, she'd order some more. Her bookkeeper was there and ordered 36 petit fours. Yesterday I got a call from a dear friend for a last minute cake for today.
I can't advertise as I'm not licensed - brochures, cards, etc. Rental space is too risky right now.
When you need to franchise out, give me a call!!! Good Luck!! 
Congrats Eriksmom....
This is great news for you!
And I know what you mean about feeling all over the place, my DH and I are in the midst of opening up a bistro (where I can also bake and cater from).
Being all over the place doesn't even begin to describe it!! I'm very happy for you!
Good Luck with your new venture!
Sonya
Thanks all for the vote of confidence!
mjs4492, you have businesses interested in your work. you are well on your way! I've been too afraid of approaching businesses to sell my work. I've been doing cakes for a little over a year now. Most of my work comes from people my sister works with and referals from them. So I've been limited.
But the referals are becoming so frequent, I feel its time for the next step. I've been looking for kitchen space for the past 4 months, and have had no luck. I just got lucky, and when starting out, thats about what you have to rely on (unless you're rich or fearless). It will happen for you if you want it to. I believe that positive energy attracts positive reactions and the same with negative. You want it bad enough, it will come up in front of you when you least expect it.
Keep it up. At least you know how to make petit fours!
btw - I chose Artistic Cake Works for my business name. Anybody like it? It's kinda late to change it now, but I would love some opinions anyway.
I like the name...that is cute. Congrats on being a new business owner! As for being afraid of approaching businesses, when I talked to my insurance agent to ask her about insurance for the company I also gave her my card. She went to the website on my card, saw the cookies that I do and called in an order for 7 dozen (that is why I have Farmers and HR logo cookies in my photos) and now HR is now ordering because they liked the cookies and loved having their logo on something edible! It is amazing what you can do with just a little business card.
No kidding! I took my name, unaware at the time, from my tattoo studio. They are "artistic body works". I guess the flow of it stuck in my head, although I haven't been there in about 3 years. I hope they don't get mad. I'll have to soften them up with a cake, eh?
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