Hi. I have a few questions for WMI that I was wondering if you'd be able to answer.
1. How do you become a WMI?
2. Is there any special training you have to go through?
3. Discounts? 
4. If you don't mind, how much and how are you paid? 
Thanks in advance! 
Being a WMI is pretty cool, I will try to answer all of your questions as best I can!
1. I went to the Wilton website and filled out the application. You will specify where you live and what kind of mileage you are willing to travel from home in order to teach.
2. No special training per se, but I took all of the classes twice! They will also ask for pictures of cakes that you have made using the methods taught in class.
3. You get a 40% discount on Wilton products and classes. You can order your wilton items directly through Wilton, but you have to call and place your order, not on the internet. They also send you incentives for completing paperwork on time each month, in the for of $10 coupons and things.
4. Payment depends on which account you work for. I have been told that Michael's pays very differently than A.C.Moore, and then there's Hobby Lobby and other stores as well. I think the maximum you get is $150 per class and that's with 15 students in a class. You also get paid by class, so if you teach 3 classes in one month, you get 3 checks from the store.
There are annual training meetings where they get people together by region and train them o n new products and techniques and give you a bunch of free product as well!
It's a good thing to do to earn some extra cash on the side in order to pay for more cake toys!
I used to be a WMI so I'll answer what i can.
I answered an add in the local paper for WMI, they were pretty desperate for instructors at the time, so it was easy to become one.
The do have training seminars that are free to attend, and well worth attending.
Discounts, were 40% off if ordering through Wilton.
The store i taught at also offered a discount there, but that would depend on the store you are teaching at.
The store pays you, and there are pay guidelines but the final payment is up to the store you are teaching at. The big stores that i taught at followed the guide lines set by Wilton, the independent stores payed what we agreed on.
Very funny! I don't know if you can replace a current instructor, but the manager for that account may be looking to replace that person, you never know. You just have to fill out the application and see. That instructor may be looking for a second to help them out and that may be your foot in the door!
I'm adding to this thread because last night my instructor asked me if I would consider being an instructor. She thought that I would be good at it and they were going to need another instructor when Course 4 becomes available in February. This would be through a Michael's store.
Now, my question is... what's it really like. As for my background, I'm a stay at home mom of 4 younger kids,.. only one in school, the youngest just 1 year. Is it worth the pay for me to be gone to do this? Granted it's only 1 night a week but what else do I have to do besides what I do in class? Someone mentioned paperwork. What is that all about? I know there are meetings once a year and some other 'training' perks but what's not out there in black and white for being an instructor? I want to know everything??? WMI please tell all! Thank you!
- Paula
PS - Take a look at my cakes,.. 3 or 4 are from before I started classes. You should recognize the typical class cakes. Thanks.
Paula,
Your cakes are wonderful. You should have no problem teaching. There really aren't any mandatory meetings. It's worth it to go to one of the annual meetings for the perks and training, but if you can't go, then it's okay.
It really depends on the store that you will teach at in regards to pay.
The only time you have to do any paperwork is the first night of class. The students fill out sheets that you need to send to corporate and then a form to your supervisor. That's it. Once a month. No big deal. Then you have the attendance sheets, but you don't send those to anyone. I just copy them after class and keep a copy just in case my pay check is wrong.
Aside from 40% discounts from Wilton, I got a $50 giftcard after teaching my third course. Plus an apron and badge. 
But I did have to pay $25 when I first applied.
It helps if you have an instructor recommend you.
It's fun meeting all of the students and I really enjoy it. If you miss taking the classes, definitely consider teaching them!!
Angie
Okay let me start by saying I love teaching the classes. 
But teaching is more a part time job that gives you spending money than a job that will pay the bills.
I'm a Michaels WMI so some of the things I say will be different for different accounts. As was said you get paid per student. 1-6 at Micheals is $120 a month. And it goes up from there, the most being 15 students for $240. I offer 3 classes a month (4 come Feb) but that does not mean I teach all three classes a month. Some months I only teach one or two, depending on the interest. So some months I'm there 1 night a week, other's I'm there 3.
Also at Michaels you are requied to do 5 class previews a year, and they are strongly recommending that you do two regular demos a year.
At Michaels we are considered store employees and do get the store discount. And then as was mentioned in a pervious post you geto 40% off everything bought directly from Witlon.
There is some expense when it comes to teaching the classes though. So you need to weight that into it. For course 1 you make 1 cake and two batches of icing. In course two you make royal icing and in course 3 you will need fondant to show the Wilton rose. Everything I use in the classes is mine that I paid for. For class previews there is expense of what you pick to do. This weekend Michaels WMIs are suppose to decorate cupcakes. So we have to make those and the icing for it.
The paper work isn't hard, it's just some scan tran forms you fill out and mail in. But for the first night of C1 you have bake that cake and pack up everything you will use in class. That usually takes up my afternoon. C2 is easier to prep for, but you still have to gather the things and haul them up there.
I'll repeat what I said earlier, I love teaching the classes. I have fun sharing what I have learned with other people, and even if I am having a bad day, I usually feel about better by the end of a class. But there is some behind the scenes work/expense, and I think it is only fair to share that part as well.
On the Wilton site you can see if there is an opening in your area. If there is not they will save your app in case there is. Wilton has to place you at an account, you not suppose to go to the account and ask for the job.
TexasSugar,
Thanks for your post... it was very helpful. I am being asked by the instructor and she needs another instructor at that store. It would be just a one night a week thing,.. to start. I'm sure it could go more if I asked but I'm a stay at home mom with 4 little ones,.. only one is in school and the youngest is just 1 so while I Love this new found skill of cake deco I don't want to give up my precious years with my little ones either, not to say the little bit of extra income would help too,.. no matter the amount as long as I'm not out of pocket a lot more than what is brought in. It's been hard to get to these classes, though it's also been a great stress relief as well. I completely understand about having a bad day and then going to class and coming home and feeling better. I've been coming home and though some night's I get re-stressed as DH didn't get the kids to bed or the house is a mess, I can sit down with the stuff I learned (especially during course II - to make all those RI flowers) and get de-stressed again. (I hope that made sense!)
Keep the posts coming I want to know all the facts before I consider this further and I think others would be interested too. Thanks for posting!!!
- Paula
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%