Support From My Fellow Cc'rs...please!
Business By peacockplace Updated 3 Jul 2007 , 5:24pm by peacockplace
I am eating a large piece of chocolate as I'm writing this... tryig to calm my nerves. For about a year now DH and I have been trying to decide what to do about my shop. We finally decided to turn our workshop into a cake shop. (It was going to be an appartment for the previous owners mother, but she passed away during construction. Then he sold the house to us. So basically it is a big unfinished space with a large porch)
Ok... we made the decision, call the city and try to get things in order. Now the problem... the financing process is going to kill me! I have almost given up hope of ever getting this done. I eat sleep and breathe cake. It is my passion and what I love to do most. (aside from my family of course)
My husband is very supportive and I feel so greatful for that. It just seems like every time we get close, we end up running into a brick wall. Sorry to ramble, it just feels like some of you know more of what I'm going through than anyone else. Thank you all for the encouragement I always find here at CC! I know lots of you are trying to go through the process of getting liscensed and feel the same frustrations I'm having.
Dealing with large institutions is never easy and there's always so much redundant paperwork.... 
So it goes without saying that any government agencies would be the worst to deal with. 
Have another piece of chocolate, maybe with a Long Island Iced Tea and try to keep focused on your goal (and NOT the process). 
Thank you both! It seems like every time we get things figured out and I think we can get started soon, something goes wrong. I've got a HUGE opportunity in September, but I refuse to do it without being liscensed. It will bring a lot of exposure and I want to do it so badly. 
We've just go to get this figured out before then. I guess I'm just asking for some CC good vibes to be sent my way! 
Well then - good luck to you!!!!! I am sending you lots of good wishes and blessings!!!
Just remember that everything you go through is going to be a learning experience! This is your first time and things are going to be rough. you don't know everything but...you WILL get through it! And some things will happen for a reason, they always do!
Eat all the chocolate cake you want! That always calms my nerves too!
Good luck and keep us posted!
All construction and financing is hard on the nerves. We're going through pains right now trying to landscape a backyard. Nothing as big as your project, but everytime we turn around, it's more money. You have a vision, but getting there is a battle. Everyone goes through it. I'd compare it to potty training. There are days when you SWEAR you'll never make it through. Keep your spirits up. It will happen. Best wishes.
Everyone goes through it. I'd compare it to potty training. There are days when you SWEAR you'll never make it through.
LOL. That's so true! Thanks for the support... and the laugh! 
We have a saying that "every knock's a boost", meaning every time we are knocked down, it's actually a boost up. So true! For every brick wall we ran into, it turned into a positive for us.
The first time the bank said 'no' (you have to be in business 3 years before you can get a loan to start a business 
), it forced us to look at our plans. We realized that since the conception of the original biz plan, the catering had taken off and the cookies/cakes were a side line. With changes in the biz concept, we were able to reduce our costs, we were able to change what we needed in a retail space .... and found a space at half the monthly rent.
When the contracting costs came in at twice the budget, that knock caused us to look around for another contractor (the 1st one was the strip mall owners's company ..... don't ever go with them!). So I went to a bank that specialized in SBA loans to women to try to get more money. They had a problem with putting that much money into a leased space and they told us 'no'. We were knocked down again.
We had a friend who was a VP Architect and we said, "look .... we have no idea what we are doing here. can you recommend a contractor that deals with commercial kitchens?" he referred us to a great kitchen designer, who connected us with a contractor. His cost was only 15% of the other quote!!!!!!!! OMG!!! I'd never done a build-out before, so I had no idea what was "normal". I had no idea I was getting ripped off so bad!!
So .....
thank god the first bank said no.
thank god we didn't have the money for the amount the first contractor quoted.
thank god the second bank also had a problem with those contracting costs and told us 'no'.
For all the times we were knocked down, we actually saved over $100,000 in the entire process.
So don't stress at the first brick wall you run into. It could be a very good thing.
Indydebi, Thank you so much for that story! It actually brought tears to my eyes. (had to put my chocolate down to wipe them) Thanks for reminding me that the Lord's timing is not always our own! That's way I love this place so much. I don't know anywhere else I could turn to get support from people all over with all different kinds of experiences! You all are the best! [/list]
Oh Kristy, you dear sweet friend.. if I had a big piece of chocolate cake I'd be eating it right along with you!!! 
I do believe that when you want something bad enough that you WILL get it!!!! So just keep you chin up... keep running into them brick walls & turn right around & work harder!! You can accomplish your dreams. IF I know you as well as I think I do then you WILL!!!!! I'm sending prayers & lot's of love your way!! You will do this, You can do this!!!!! I can't wait to hear what the opening date will be!!!!! 
It's meant to be dear friend, it's meant to be!!!
Thanks for reminding me that the Lord's timing is not always our own!
Thru the whole process, I kept saying, "God would not let me get this far just so I could fail now." There was a way and I just had to find it. I have to give kudos to my little Sis, who is a very devout Christian and kept me on track ("Yes, Debi, it is bad to pray for money. You pray for Him to show you the right path and the right way to get to where you're going.")
As the song from "Journey" says: "Don't Stop ...... Believing"
Oh Kristy, you dear sweet friend.. if I had a big piece of chocolate cake I'd be eating it right along with you!!!
I do believe that when you want something bad enough that you WILL get it!!!! So just keep you chin up... keep running into them brick walls & turn right around & work harder!! You can accomplish your dreams. IF I know you as well as I think I do then you WILL!!!!! I'm sending prayers & lot's of love your way!! You will do this, You can do this!!!!! I can't wait to hear what the opening date will be!!!!! It's meant to be dear friend, it's meant to be!!!
Oh TC... your too sweet! Thank you for all your kind words. You have been a really great friend here for a long time! I can not remember anything else in my life that I have wanted so much (again, aside from DH and the kids). As a SAHM, it seems like everything I do is for someone else. I want this for me. It is my passion. Plus the extra income couldn't hurt We're starting over with another bank today, so maybe we'll get some good news. As soon as we have and opening date, you guys will be the first to know!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%