? For Military Spouses/frequent Movers
Decorating By lish1904 Updated 10 Jun 2007 , 2:01pm by emhurston
Hi everyone! I'm not sure how to start this BUT here is my situation. I have just discovered how much I love baking! Cookies, cakes and chocolates of all kinds. I am already selling a few cakes here and there. I took the Wilton classes so I know their basics and I am always looking on here for new things to try. I consider myself decent enough. I know now that I want to bake and sell as a full time job. My only problem is that my husband is in the Navy which means every 3 years. So if I build a customer base I will just lose it when we move. I want to know if It is smart to try and do this full time? Will it be worth it when I just have to start back over? My husband is behind me 110%, whatever it takes to make me happy. I don't need to make real big bucks, I just want to do what I enjoy. I just want to know what other people in my situation, moving frequently, do. Sorry for the rambling, I hope I got my point across. Thanks for listening and any advice.
First of all, I think it is extremely hard being a military wife. When ya'll get transferred does anyone that you already now get transferred??? I know there is military bases - advertise - advertise!!! I know that it will suck constantly having to start over. But, if this is what makes you happy - ADAPT AND OVER COME SOLDIER!!! LOL!!! I know that there are grocery stores on bases - either work there or advertise on the local bullentin board
Never give up your dreams. Make it work.
Good luck
I know all to well the joys of being a military spouse. All I can say is if its something you enjoy then go for it. You need something to keep your sanity going when your stuck home by yourself. The most important thing you need with you when you move somewhere else is a portfolio and a good attitude. The rest will come, especially in a military environment.
Thanks iluvcakes. I did think about advertising on base. I thought it would be neat to do cake testing parties when I first get there. Advertise at the Boys and Girls club and the day cares. Our next move is in 2009 and that is when I am going to start, once I find out where we are going to move I want to see what that state's policy is on baking business. Whether it can be done at home or not.
Hi,
I'm on the same position, I'm also a Navy wife and recently got transfered from VA to FL, I understand what you are saying... well, to answer your question, I guess there is not much we can do, I started with this in VA and now in FL I have new customers (I'm working on my food handeling permits with the DOA, in VA I could do it from home, here in FL is a whole different story, anyway...) I wouldn't put up a shop or bakery, nothing that requires to much $ as an investment, all I do is send a couple cakes with DH to work and the word spreads. Suck moving so much, but oh well....
How many more years does your DH have left 'till retirement? Maybe closer to retirement I will set up my little shop. 
I would say go for it. You will always meet new people (FRG, unit, schools, church, daycare, etc) and gain new customers. Believe in yourself. My husband is also in the military and we are getting ready to move to Japan in a couple of weeks. People are telling me that I should do good their if I want to, my only problem is is that I normally work full-time and I have three kids. I really enjoy making cakes but finding the time is hard. Do what makes you happy! Good Luck.
nefgaby - We have forever until retirement. LOL We are 24 and 25 and he has in 7 years so far. He is going to make a career out of it. But I want to do the same. Whenever we do settle in one place I want to open an actual shop but while we are moving I hope to do it from home. I will try to convince him that we can only move to places that I can bake from home 
Oh, I see... Or you could go to a home base, like VA (NAS Oceana or Norfolk) or NAS Lemoore, CA (rather go to VA since Lemoore is in the middle of nowhere) and settle there for a little bit while he finishes his naval career and you could do your cake thing, Virginia Beach is a beautiful place to live and to rise kids. Where have you been stationed so far?
Hi,
I'm on the same position, I'm also a Navy wife and recently got transfered from VA to FL, I understand what you are saying... well, to answer your question, I guess there is not much we can do, I started with this in VA and now in FL I have new customers (I'm working on my food handeling permits with the DOA, in VA I could do it from home, here in FL is a whole different story, anyway...) I wouldn't put up a shop or bakery, nothing that requires to much $ as an investment, all I do is send a couple cakes with DH to work and the word spreads. Suck moving so much, but oh well....
How many more years does your DH have left 'till retirement? Maybe closer to retirement I will set up my little shop.
Hey, I just moved from sc to va maybe all military cake decorating wifes should do a list of some sorts to pass on our customer base or are names and location of move to see if that person who is moving can pass on there name ect. ect. Does that make sense?
We are military as well, Army. Actually my dh has already moved to Ky and thankfully our house finally sold - the movers are coming next week and our three little ones and I get to join him! Yippie! My husband is in til retirement as well. We have at least another 10 years to go. And I would second, third and fourth the motion to keep after it. At the very least it is good practice at honing your skills. Just because you may not be able to go full boar the way you'd like right now doesn't mean it is a sign to quit.
Think delayed gratification. Think of learning customers varied preferences in different parts of the country, the world. I don't know how it is for you Navy folks with deployments right now but if you can handle being a military wife... you will find a way to make this work wherever you are!! 
Destini
wow I am sooooooo in the same situation as you even worse I think . My husband got sent overseas for a yr so I decided to put everything in storage and come back to my home city. SO i have friend, family, and even the entire neighborhood and then some trying to get cakes. My moms co-workers...so many people and it kills me that ihave to leave my potential customers the begining of next yr. I'm located in the best customer base ever and to have to start over is crazy but i know everycake i make goes into my little "portfolio" and hey what can i do just wait until we come back to the states and me and my friend want to open up a little shop
this thread is wonderful b/c I hope someone comes up with a good good method of handling all of the moving.
and if tmo looses any of my cake stuff someone will die........... 
I have had the same questions but for the last two years I have been making cakes through word of mouth for the Naval Hospital here. It started with one free cake done as a favor and word got out and BAM, my cake "business" exploded. I don't have the ability because of location and financial to start a business. I have absolutely no interest in the business end of the deal. I just want to decorate.
There will always be clientel and a need for cakes no matter where you are stationed. My husband is the one who actually gave me my big break. If you know just one person who is being promoted, transferred, or retiring and you make that cake your name will get out. People will ask who made the cake and most assuredly your name will be given with your permission of course. That is how it started for me. Now I have people who have had just one slice or never had a slice but just saw a cake I made at the NavHosp and have found out my name and have either emailed or called me to ask for something whether for just a family birthday or any other occasion.
Like I said, all it takes is just one fantastic looking cake for a ceremony at the base and you're in.
Everyone I make a cake for knows that I am not a business and I ALWAYS offer the the opportunity to decline and go elsewhere but they ALWAYS choose me!
You'll do fine!!!!
Amy
First of all, let me say that I am not a military wife - well, I'm not even a wife but reading your post, I thought of a couple of things.
First, be sure to make a portfolio of all of your cakes. And if you find you are missing some in a particular area, then do some dummy cakes. For example, I definitely need more children and wedding cakes in mine so I'm going to some dummy's this summer
Second, have a website if you don't already - one of those free ones. I use zoomshare and find it is helpful for potential customers. Plus, it's an eas way for friends and family to see what I've been up to with cakes.
Third, maybe where you're moving either have or be relatively close to a good cake store and you could take some advanced classes.
I also think it would be a good idea for there to be a forum for military wives. That way, you could find other military cake decorators where you are moving to/from so you could refer clients and find new cake decorator friends.
I also want to say that I do admire all of you military wives. You are truly special!
My suggestions are just my ever humble opinion. Thanks for reading from a non-mililtary person.
My husband is in the Air Force and we are stationed in Germany. I decided to take all the Wilton classes while he was deployed. I finished them and the orders just started rolling in. We have a little network here so if you can't do a cake you refer to someone else. It works out pretty well. With all the promotions, changes of command, retirements etc, there is plenty of business for whomever wants it. I actually had to slow down because I am still learning and don't want to just mass produce cakes (my little German kitchen wouldn't allow it anyway). I have to say that a couple of simple $60 sheet cakes for ceremonies goes along way to supporting my habit. We move about every two years and I'm pretty sure I won't have a problem at our next base and hopefully I'll be back in the States where supplies are readily available and I can take advanced classes. Don't give up on what you love!
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