My Wilton Instructor Is After Me! Lol (Long)
Decorating By JennT Updated 16 Mar 2006 , 10:57am by vitade
She's trying to convince me that I should become an instructor myself. Of course, I take it as a HUGE compliment, coming from her. Not only is she a Wilton instructor, but she had a cake business for almost 40 yrs in Michigan, where she's from originally, and she's also a member of ICES...has been for years. She still does cakes, just not as a full fledged business, mainly for friends of the family back home a few times a year and only wedding cakes. Her style is very 'Earlene Moor-esque'...and many of her cakes that I've seen pics of would give even Earlene's a run for the money. She is truly a talented woman.
The thing I'm debating in my head is that I'm not exactly crazy about all things Wilton...lol. Don't get me wrong...I think Wilton and what they offer to the public is a wondeful thing! If it weren't for them, I think most people would've never thought decorating cakes themselves, and even having their own business doing it, was possible....including ME! But, through trial and error, I've found that there are some much better products & tools out there than Wilton's, as well as methods.
So my question is, especially for all of you that are WMI's, can you teach the Wilton classes and still share other resources/methods? Or would that result in banishment from the 'Wilton World' forever??? lol You know what I mean...is it just completely against the rules to share anything other than Wilton with the students?
The money made doing this is not really an issue with me. I know it's not a goldmine or a way to pay the bills, really...I'd just be doing it for extra cash for myself or things the kids may need on occasion...or just to fund my cake habit...lol. Are you required to teach a certain number of classes per month or year or anything? And does an instructor get compensated for signing up a new instructor?
She told me that she thinks I have a great personality for teaching and that because I'm young (32...is that still considered young?? lol) and excited about cakes, etc. that it would make my classes exciting for the students and it would probably become a very popular class for people to sign up for...that they would be more likely to continue through all 3 courses with a fun teacher. (BTW - she just told me that Wilton is developing a 4th course...focused mainly on gumpaste flowers, etc.)
So, what do ya'll think? Can I still teach Wilton...even if I know there are some things out there better than what they offer? It might be really hard to keep my mouth shut sometimes...after all - they do want me to sell their products, right? lol How do you other WMI's do it??
Wilton does want you to sell their products. I have been a WMI for 4 years. Sometimes it is hard to bite your tongue when you want to tell your students about non-Wilton products and techniques. I teach the Wilton Method but I also give other tips I have learned through my trial and error and from other instructors/students from my classes. I love teaching cake decorating!!! You insturctor does get compensated for referring you. Also, There is not currently a 4th course. Gumpaste will be a project class and your instructor has to prove that they can do gumpaste before they are considered able to teach it. You have to teach one class every quarter. Hope that helped!
I'm curious............I was actually thinking of signing up to be an instructor. Does it pay well? I'm a stay at home mom with two little ones at home. I guess I would just consider teaching to pay for my cake habit too! But I'm very curious now....do all WMI like teaching? Do you get paid well? Do you get paid by the classes that you teach or the number of students in the class?
I think it depends where you teach. When I taught at Boscovs, I was paid by the class. But where I teach now, I get paid for having a certain number of students. I am currently a stay at home mom and I teach twice a week. It pays well for a couple of hours of work.
I am also a Wilton instructor. In my classes, I teach the Wilton way with their products. They are a good first introduction to cake decorating and readily available. I also give them websites, this is one of my favorites where they are exposed to all kinds of tools and techniques. If they call me at home, I can give a little more. You just can't talk about other products when you are on their time. I love teaching it, because it pays well and I get to meet new cakies every month. I have not had any student that didn't take all 3 courses and ask for more. Wilton is developing a Course 4 to teach gumpaste. It is suppose to be finalized this year. Oh crap, there goes more schooling for me. I haven't had the best luc with it. Dh will be thrilled!! Also you can schedule your classes to work with your home life.
My instructor for the wilton classes tried very hard to stick to the "wilton" method and supplies, but every now and then she would slip a "You didn't hear this from me, but " in.
I don't think you have to be totally "wilton". Your allowed to slip in your own thoughts from time to time, just don't push other products.
I've been teaching now for 3 years. In my area you get paid by the number of students - granted you won't get rich by any means but what you feel from the students pays well - seeing them finally "get" a technique is worth a million dollars to me. I look at it this way - I'm teaching techniques - not selling product (I don't use wilton products exclusively either). I don't get commission for selling Wilton. I introduce them to it and that's it. If they ask if they can use another product I say with a smerky smile 
"you can but I recommend Wilton". They get the jist of it...... Focus your decision on the teaching end of the job - not the product end.
I've been a WMI for 8 years. My mom was a Wilton instructor for a while in the mid-70's when I was a preschooler, so I've always had beautiful cakes and cake books to read in my life. I finally took the classes about 9 years ago and during Course 3, my instructor asked me if I would like to become a WMI. Huge compliment, for sure! LOL
I like it but the pay is just pocket change. I teach in order to share the art, not pay the bills. 
The purpose of Wilton offering cake decorating classes is specifically to sell Wilton product, but of course I tell my students that there are other brands and other ways of doing things. I also refer them to good books and websites. It's a fun thing to do but lately I've been so slammed with orders, I haven't had much time to do classes.
By the way, Wilton has been developing a Course 4 for about the last 5 years. LOL If they ever actually do come up with a Course 4, it will be a miracle. 
I took the Wilton teachers course several years ago! they do WANT you to teach their methods and push their supplies! That is why they offer classes at such a good price to encourage their products. I considered teaching again for them but since it has been so long they want me to take the classes to see how they do them now. Well the community college contacted me to teach and so I am doing it for them and can teach whatever and however withe whoevers products etc. Does that make since. I love Wilton and their products but there is so much more out there to learn I love teaching and want to offer my students the whole experience as much as I can. I get so excited when I learn new things and it happens a lot on this site. What a great way to learn and share! Teaching is also a great way to learn! Good Luck w/your decision!
As everyone else said, it's not really a money maker. It's more about teaching others and meeting others that love to dothis. Ofcourse Wilton gives you alot of free stuff and a nice discount on items.
I alway tell my students that what I'm teaching them is the "Wilton Way". Start with these guidelines and then adapt to whatever works best for you.
Ofcourse the classes are designed to "sell products". Wilton and the store don't make ANY money on the classes. They rely on the students needing the products, therefore buying them will they are there AND it opens them up to buying OTHER products will they are there.
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