I recently started as a WMI and have enjoyed it so far, just finished my first round of course 1, and started a new round of course 1 tonight...
I find that I am spending a lot of my own money prepping for the classes, and LOTS of time prepping. My store even "requires" demos that they don't pay for. So I spent 4 hours on a Saturday decorating cakes (that I supplied at my own cost,) at a table in the store, trying to get people to sign up. When I figured my cost for the cakes/icing/supplies for teaching course 1, the time it takes to prep, teach, and clean up the greasy mess, I'm making at least a full dollar below minimum wage!!!!! 
Plus, I am required to teach employees, but they don't count towards my number of students...(so I don't get paid for teaching them, but I'm required to do it).
I enjoy what I'm doing, I've been happy and enthusiastic about it, and I feel so wierd about just quitting so soon, but how can I give my time away like that?
I have a degree from a 4 yr university, this is only a PT job for fun, but I am taking time away from my family and adding to the hectic schedule...
I know lots of people on here are WMIs and love it. I don't mean any disrespect, not trying to sound "high and mighty", just can't figure out this for MY situation. Somebody help! I need words of cake wisdom!
Good luck and I hope it gets better for you!
wow. That's a lot they're expecting you to do without reimbursing you for your time and effort. I'm all for getting paid for my time.
I would guess that being a WMI really wouldn't pay. I've always thought that the people who do it, do it because they like it rather than thinking they'll make some money.
If things don't change, I wouldn't feel bad about quitting, simply because your idea was to make some money, and they idea is to have you donate your time.
Is there a contract when you sign up to be a WMI?
Anyway....family first. Time away from them has to be well worth it monetarily or at least emotionally!
is it michaels that requires you to do those demos at your own cost? thats unbelievable! how many do you have to do? once a month or less often? if its michaels rule, i would talk to your manager and explain the situation. if they can't reimburse you the cost, or at least allow you to use their inventory for free for these, then i don't know if its worth it.
I do get a whopping 10% off of supplies that I buy from their store...but that doesn't help much. I had to shell out my own supplies/time for the display pieces for course 1, 2, &3, and they aren't even putting them up. I don't have any control over the aisle, as far as what is ordered and when. I can "suggest" an order, but that never works. So when I take my students over to the aisle and tell them how great couplers are and how they should really stock up to make decorating easier...there is one 4pack.....for the entire class to fight over.
I dunno. I love decorating, but I think if I keep this up I'm going to feel unappreciated and stressed. I don't even have time to do the fun cakes I want because my "cake time" is being used up doing this for pennies...
I think I'm just going to quit. 
It sounds like your heart has already told you what your decision is. I was going to say, though, for you to keep doing it, the benefits HAVE to outweigh the drawbacks. The benefits you receive could be monetary, or they could simply be the pleasure of teaching and sharing with others. If you're putting in more than you're getting back, it's time to find something else to spend your precious time on. Good luck with whatever you decide. 
I am not cake instructor, but I talk to several of them not (WMI) and although they have to prep for their class, they get some reimbursement for that and they get to use the supplies from the store.
They are also asked what type of supplies they will need and the store tries to make sure there is enought for everyone in the class.
I have given many classes in my profession and what you are going through does not sit right with me.
We come there and take the class what better way to make sure we purchase our supplies there.
I think that the store you are working from should consider this.
I dont know if there is a good way to discuss this with your manager, but there are a few good points that were made in the tread before me and you could use all of this as leverage during your conversation.
Maybe they think that because you love to do it, you are willing to give your time for it.
IMO that is fair. Why should you pay for something that could bring more potential customers to their store to take the classes that you give for not even minimum wage.
Sorry like a few other have mentioned, maybe those are the signs.
If you dont want the headache, this may be the sign you needed to leave it behing and look for other opportunities.
You are between a rock and hard place!
I wish there was a cake equivalent for that saying!
Good luck.
I just taught my very first class last night, and they all looked at me the entire time like I had a huge booger hanging out of my nose! No one even had questions, and I had 11 students! After the misery I went thru last night, I too am wondering if this will be worth my time and effort. My ec wants me to teach 5 different classes a month with three of those being 4 week classes. I just wanted to get out a couple of nights a week, not work full time! I have a psych degree that I could use and make much more money if I wanted to be away from home and my kids that much!
Jenn1977-
I know exactly what you mean! The first night (I've only had 2 of those, but the same each time)...I felt like I talked and talked and talked. Nobody asked anything, they just stare blankly at you. Can't tell if they love it or can't wait to get out the door... 
WHOA!! Jen 1977 ELEVEN students? That's GREAT! I start on Tuesday Evening with my first class, that is, IF it makes! I drove to the store to check everything out Monday and there were only 3 paid students (the 4th had PROMISED to come back and pay). I told the employee in charge of sign ups that I would call on Friday and if the 4th hadn't paid then I would call and cancel the class. MY store won't allow me to have a class for less than 4.
Also, when I met with the manager (very nice man, interested in having classes) his first comment was "You DO know that it will take time to build classes don't you?". Well, DUH! But, I am driving 1 hour each way to teach and while I'm not doing it to make a living (OBVIOUSLY) I would like to at least pay for the GAS! LOL
My contract says that I am required to do free demos for the store, but, at this point, I've not been approached since I'm just starting. I have made a PERSONAL 3 month commitment. One month to start; one to build and one for resignation.
But, I'm looking on the positive side...it will be fun and a chance to teach something I love!
Beth in KY
jenn! I can't believe not one of those 11 people had any questions????? Man, when my husband and I took those classes, we'd stop the instructor all the time to have her repeat something or show us closer or ask whatever we were curious about. We yapped the whole time!
In fact, we just went back to the store this past weekend (a year after our first class, when I was pregnant) and noticed she was teaching. We popped in to say hi and show her our new baby boy.
Give them time. Be up front about it next time and say, "come on now people, I don't bite! Ask your questions!"
I was supposed to have 12 students, but one didn't show! It was like a race to the door to see who could get out of there the fastest! My classes are all in the evening or on saturdays, so dh walks in the door from work, and I walk out. I only had 3-4 questions the entire night. I introduced myself than had them do intros. 5 of the 11 want to learn how to be Duff and make a fist of rock cake. I did my intro, then asked if they had any questions before we got started, anf the VERY first question that I had, the lady asked me....What qualifies YOU to teach THIS calss? She asked me really snotty like. It really knocked me for a loop, and set the tone for me for the rest of the night. Talk about knocking out any confidence you might have on your very first night of class! I'm not sure how long I'm going to stick this out!
I did my intro, then asked if they had any questions before we got started, anf the VERY first question that I had, the lady asked me....What qualifies YOU to teach THIS calss? She asked me really snotty like.
OMG....I thought after your first post that maybe they were just all shy. But .... what the heck!?! "Well, I walked in off the street and saw that there was a class without an instructor, so here I am! 
" What did you say to her?
My first night of my first Wilton class (I was a student) one woman asked the instructor if she should melt her crisco to make sure she got exactly one cup. My poor instructor..."n...no...leave it in its original form." Heh.
I basically looked at her like she was crazy I think 
No, I redid my intro. I had already told them how long I had been decorating and that I had my own business for about 18 months. She wasn't happy with that, so she asked me if I went to the "Wilton College" to be certified. I honestly just wanted to cry and run away! It was awful, and really set the tone for me for the evening.
whoa! What a question to ask!
I'd be like,
"Uhhhhh....what qualifies me? How 'bout the fact that I can decorate cakes and YOU can't??? Does that satisfactorily answer your question?"
Sheesh! What a snot!
I like Kelley's response too about walking in off the street! Good one.
Chin up, Jenn! Hopefully it'll get better. Sounds like it can't possibly get worse!
First of all, I would just like to say is I AM TOTALY JEALOUS OF YOU WMI! I have applied every week to for 8 months to be an instructor and wilton doesnt have a place for me! @#$%&!!! Ive even take the advanced fondant class with colette peters and their damn school in IL!!!
Ok, now that I have vented:
Girl, you need to go and check your labor laws for your state. Im pretty sure that no state insist that an employee work off hours with out getting paid. Then you need to review that contract of yours that you signed with your job. If you do not have a contract stating what you are to pay for those display cakes and teach other employess that will not count towrd your numbers then hit the road! Tell them that need to find some other sap to do their lacky work! Im sure you would do this in a more tactful manner though. People are going to take advantage of you if you let them. They are just exploiting your kindness and good heart! Next time if they ask you to make a display cake I would pack up my mixer and supplies head to the class room where you teach and start pulling stuff of the schelves to use (I assume they sell cake supplies) Go get your foam boards, icing colors, Screw the frosting go get some plaster of Paris! Then I would sit down on the clock and make that cake!
Sorry if this sounds forceful, I just hate hearing about good people being used.
I am a WMI at a Michaels and I have never encountered problems like these. You should talk to your Wilton supervisor and let them know what the store is expecting from you. Doing free demos should be an option and you should be getting paid for displays that you make. When I first started it seemed like a lot of prep. It does get a little easier as you get used to it and get a little more organized. As for the cost of supplies, the first lesson is the most costly having to bring a cake and make icing. You should be earning certificates from Wilton that you can use toward some of your supplies. I hope things get better for you. Maybe Wilton can transfer you to another store if possible.
Wow after hearing all these horror stories I am glad I never wanted to teach anyone........Just look at your gallery Jen, a gazillion qualifications.............and honestly Jen with your degree, you really should know how to psych that woman out. 
Hmmmmm I think I would have sat and stared at her long enough until she got up and walked out.
Orrrrrrr just recite from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
'Idiot' screamed the Queen of Hearts. 'Off with their heads.'
'Are their heads off?' shouted the Queen.
'Their heads are gone, if it please your Majesty!' the soldiers shouted in reply.
'That's right!' shouted the Queen. And away she went to play croquet.
Jen1977:
In the words of some good ole boys in my neck of the woods...
JUST KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!
I just checked back in and couldn't believe that comment about what qualified you to teach! You probably handled it just the way it needed to be. Myself (a little passive aggressive sometimes! LOL) I'd put on a sweet smile and say "Because....I'm GOOD!" LOL
Go back next week and make it the FUN-EST class ever! YOU CAN DO IT!!
Beth in KY
"My store even "requires" demos that they don't pay for."
Uummmm....there's a word for this: illegal! Oops, here comes another word: slavery.
Regardless of what a contract says, they are way out of line. It's kind of like the parking garages--your stub informs you that they're not lialbe for damage/theft to your car. Actually, they are.
I simply couldn't tolerate someone taking advantage of me, so matter how much I loved the work. I'd quit and teach out of my home, or perhaps via my adult ed center. This is just too much!
Wow--I start as a WMI w/ my first Course I next Monday. I'm not sure I'm glad I read this thread or not . . . . At least if they all stare at me like I have a "booger in my nose"--I'll be able to laugh it off thinking of CC! 
(Then they'll all think I'm looney, too!)
Honestly! How could she question your qualifications to teach when she paid no more than $30 for the class?? Even if she'd paid much more that is just outright rude! I don't know what I would have done in your place. The gall of some people! I hope everything works out for you. My WMI asked me if I was interested in teaching but I told her "no way". I just don't have the patience for rude and inconsiderate people. My classes were great but there were a few students that tried my nerves and I wasn't even teaching. LOL
Ok...I've made up my mind. I tried calling a couple of times today and kept getting a voicemail for my supervisor, so I sent an email explaining everything. I will finish the course I am teaching and then be done.
So far no response... they're obviously devistated and trying to come up with a huge raise to convince me to change my mind...right?
Just kidding. I am anxious to see what their response is to the issues I brought up.
I'll keep you posted.
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