So, I opened my bakery 3 weeks ago and things are going great. Here's the problem.
I'm still in culinary school for 2 14 hour days a week, I have a 2 year old, and for the past 3 weeks we've been selling out of all of our stuff by noon. I have also been doing cakes right along, and I'm feeling like I don't have enough time to devote to making the cakes as perfect as I'd like, plus keep up the pastry business. To top it off last week I had a meeting with a restaurant that wants to carry my desserts, which is now going to double my workload. I feel like I'm constantly playing catch up.
Has anyone else had to take a cake break? Did you go back? I'm afraid I'll give it up and not be able to start back into it again. I guess I just need some reassurance that I'm not giving up the ship for good.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Michelle
Well - congratulations on opening your bakery and it definitely seems that business is going well for you!
I have a very different situation but I am considering the same thing. I am trying to focus on losing weight because it is hard for me to stay away from cake scraps and extra icing (my first Weight Watchers meeting is today!) and I would also like to spend more time on my other hobby which is scrapbooking (my son is almost 2 and I barely have 4 pages done from when he was a small infant!). And like everyone else who is busy, I of course have my son, husband and a full time job to keep track of.
So, even though I plan to take a "break", I know I'll get back to it. You will to - as your business settles into a routine, maybe when you finish school, your child gets a little older, etc. But if you love it, you'll go back to it. If not, I'm sure it would be because you found something else you are more passionate about.
better to take a small break than to burn yourself out so early. are you almost done with school?
I agree--take a cake break instead of burning out.
I took one about 4 years ago for 5 months...I had to have carpal tunnel surgery. Stopped 1 month before surgery (Christmas, a busy time for me) and started back up in April.
Handwriting was shaky at first but business is great!
Sounds like your business is taking off! That's wonderful! Maybe now is the time to focus on that - hiring more help and letting that grow - so many would kill for that!
I think like any artist, you need to take creative breaks sometimes. Your talent will always be waiting for you and you can come back with new ideas and more energy later.
I'm not sure what to say but I wish you luck in whatever decision you decide to make. Make sure that you do not burn yourself out. Like you said, you are worried about making quality goods. If you are overworked and concerned about the quality it could have negative consequences down the road. So, as someone else said, better to wean yourself a little to preserve yourself and business for the long haul. Hopefully school is almost at an end? Maybe someone could watch your 2 year old for a little bit during the week to give you extra time? Good luck, we support you!
You guys are right. I think I'm starting to get overwhelmed, trying to put in what I consider "quality time" with my cakes, and it's probably ok to step away for a while.
I think part of what is bothering me about it is that cakes are my first love, and what made me go to school, and decide to buy my shop. I'm so engulfed by the cake world, it's scary to let that go for a bit. I guess I'll just have to get my cake fixes here from you guys for a while!
Thanks for being so supportive. I'm thrilled my shop is going so well...I need to step back and do what I can to enjoy it. I didn't mean for it to sound like I wasn't happy or greatful for it all!
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