Wanting To Take The Plunge. Long
Decorating By morphis1208 Updated 5 Dec 2006 , 11:51pm by moydear77
Hi everyone. I wanted to know for those of you who are for the most part "professional" full time cake decorators how did you break into the business? I really want to get into to this full time, but I am torn because school is not an option for me just yet but in the near future. I work full time right now but hate me job and I am longing to get into baking and pastry work. I have thought about quitting my job and trying to hired on at Publix (it's a grocery store) in their bakery. They really do have the best cakes compared to any other store, but they don't touch homemade. But they don't pay nearly as much as I am currently making. 
So I guess my question is how did you get in the biz? What advice do you have for someone like me. Should I try to get started at a grocery store, should I try for a local cake shop (do they even hire people with little exp). Any advice is welcomed.
TIA
Taunda
I am not a professional, nor do i have a business, but I do sell a few cakes a month for money. I just took 2 witon classes, learned a lot from here, and practice a lot. I think you could just try to do as much as you can at home while still working at your current job. I dont think working at a grocery store or bakery is a necessity for getting into the business. I am not saying it is a bad idea or anything, but I think you can get away without it. If school is an option in the future, go for it!
I, too, would love to ditch my "day" job and do nothing but cakes and cookies. The problem is the money. Decorators working for other people get paid way less than what I am making now. I would suggest to keep working on your craft, and check the local stores and bakeries for openings. Around here, getting a job at a grocery store with little experience is not a problem, provided you don't mind working for minimum wage! Maybe set your sights on opening your own bakery?!
Working a grocery store position to me is not very fullfilling. At least not here. You are a robot work horse and specialty decorating is not there. It is about quantity. I have seen other grocers do more specailty but no fondant.
Doing this as a business is a personal decision. If you just want to suppliment your income??
To really do this as a business you should be licensed. This way you can advertise legally. Now where we live we can sell cakes but cannot advertise. I have a website but I could be in China for all you know! Many people change career for culinary. There are pros and cons to have schooling. You need to do what you can afford.
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