Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Business By DisneyDreamer Updated 17 Oct 2007 , 3:59am by DisneyDreamer
So i started work today! it was okay i did cookies all day they had to fire there cookie guy for drugs. i got the lay of the land everyone is really nice! BUT....
i was talking to the head of cakes and well lets just say we are NOT on the same page about anything!!!
i like doing sculpted cakes (like my turkey cake) she said she refuses to do them she said becasue people dont know how to take them home with out braking them!!!!
i like putting fondant accents she said NO! they give there brides maybe 15 cakes to pick from! i love to think out side the box for cakes i want them to be fun and exciting. i want the person receiving it to be excited over it and remember it! i am really passionate about cakes. to me this lady is still doing cakes from the 90's. she has no idea about some of the great decorators out there. and has no idea what is coming out and whats hot! the cakes are run of the mill
its good pay and benefits. but on the first day i already am discouraged! i got the feeling from her that i will be baking off cookies, coffee cakes, and other pastries!!! i feel tricked i was told i would do cakes!!!!! and to top it off this lady puts so many rules on cakes its ridicules!!!! i have many great ideas for them and i just dont know if i should tell them what i think? oh and they wont let me wear my chefs coat that piss me off. i work hard to become a chef and to me that is a SLAP in the face!!!!!
It is very rare, working for someone else, that you will have creative control over your work. You have to do it 'their way', even if you think you have a better idea.
You can improve your skills and make some money, or move on. Only you can decide that. I think one day is probably not giving the job a fair chance.
I don't know your needs at this time but if the money isn't worth the boredom and frustration you are being set up for .....I'd leave.
It's like a chef working at Denny's.
It is the same medium of food but no room for you to use the real skills, art and creativity that is your gift.
They don't need you, so find somewhere else that does. That is just my opinion for what it s worth.
mommachris
I agree with pp. If there is something that you can learn from this person that will help you in the future, I might stick it out just for a chance to learn some new skills or whatever. But if it's just going to suck the life out of you, I would leave. I had a job once where after the first day, I cried the whole 40 minute drive home. It was horrible. I stuck it out for about 6 months.
I've been in and out of jobs like this. I always tell myself to give it about 4 weeks, suck out all I could learn and walk away. It's not worth the frustration but there is always something you can learn.
I'd also talk to the manager if you are not doing cakes within the week. I've seen this happen a lot in the retail field. They suck you in like that.
Good luck.
Why don't you just be up front with her and tell her you would like some creative freedom. If SHE doesn't like doing the sculpted cakes then ask her if she would LET you try?? That way it is like you are asking her. She will be thinking " I will let her do it and see how things go wrong" You know how evil people can be! Just let her know that you have a slightly different style and you think you can branch out the company...How can she argue with that??? Don't be afraid to discuss things with people. Or else you are just going to be unhappy and wanting to leave all the time. This is your first experience and you should make the best of it.
BTW...they won't let you where the chefs coat because that is threatening to them. Sometimes when we are in a new job and getting to know new relationships there are different levels of interaction you have to go through to get comfortable with one another. Get yourself in there and learn how to do the things that you don't and just ask little by little. Eventually they should come around!
GOOD LUCK!
one place i worked, they told me i had to do all fast (ugly) cakes, i was ready to quit the first day.
i ended up being there several years, by the time it was overwith they were taking orders for everything....i even had to make a cake shaped like a toilet.
being a business owner i can see thier side of it....they gotta make a profit, and they don't know how long all this fancy stuff will take.
one thing you must know....if the more complicated cakes do catch on....and you are in a time crunch...which you always are...it is WAY more stressful than being in a time crunch doing easy cakes....plus you will be the only one there who knows how to do it.
good money and benefits...sounds good to me, i think you should wait it out, things do change.
......i got the feeling from her that i will be baking off cookies, coffee cakes, and other pastries!!! i feel tricked i was told i would do cakes!!!!!.......
Honey, been there, done that
I know exactly how you feel.
The holidays are coming. You might get a chance to be a bit creative. Try hard to bite your tounge, learn all you can and after 4-6 weeks re-evaluate the situation.
I agree. Do yourself a foavor and learn all that you can now. Don't quit before the holidays.
Keep your creativity flowing by doing cakes for others (friends/family etc..). Then decide what to do. You may have to give up a little creativity for now. But may learn so sumh during a very busy time.
I am with you on coming up with much better ideas since you are putting yourself on the customer's shoes, BUT, you only work there.. This shop is not your own. They expect you to do what they want. And since it is only your first day, just kind of observe everything, and maybe afetr awhile you can again bring up some new and better ideas of your own.. 
I agree with what most have said--if you're going to be totally miserable--then its not worth staying. But if you think you can tough it out awhile--give it a few weeks and re-evaluate how you feel. This would be a great time--with the holidays--to get alot of experience and maybe learn some new things. Maybe the owner will come around and give you a little more creative space to create some of your specialty cakes.
Good Luck either way.
I have learned so much from each job I have been with, even the ones that aren't really doing what I want to. I have worked in everything from a supermarket bakery to an upscale place that did beautiful wedding cakes-and they have all taught me something! Even if you don't stay there long, give it a chance and keep an open mind. If you hate it after a few weeks than find something else! Good luck!
It was only the first day. She is using you where she needs you, business owners are like that--there is nothing that says you won't be doing cakes in the near future.
I've owned my own business and quite honestly there is nothing I like less than a brand new employee coming in and wanting to change things to suit them. Once you've been there a reasonable length of time and proved yourself a good and valuable employee she may be open to your suggestions, however I can almost guarantee demands will fall on deaf ears.
IMHO, if you want to play the game your way or no way, I suggest starting your own business. It's the only way its going to happen.
This is a very personal decision. But, base on my experience; I work in a Grocery store, the manager who hire me is a very open minded person and love new ideas, so every time that i show her something she love it an even let me produce it for the floor. Now she was transfer to another store and I have a new manager that wants to follow everything "by the book". i can not lie, I have learn a lot about commercial kitchen , production and a lot of recepies, ect. It is really hard but, that is why I decide to go part time so I can put some icing and flowers at the store and really decorate a home. But I'm keeping my benefits even as a part timer.
Wish you the best!!!!
Also, if you leave this job and go to another one doing the same thing, there is no guarantee that they will let you put your new ideas to work...
I mean you can go from one bakery job to another and it could still be the same thing. The only way you can have things done your way is for you to open your own shop. Your shop, your way. but for now, I don't think that would be possible. Although I know you have great ideas. good luck to you
I say, give it a few months before you decide. I have worked for over 30 years in the business, with 7 different companies. Like Chefrinny, I have worked all the way from supermarket bakeries to high end bakeries in the San Francisco Bay area. Each time I have been hired I have been told their rules. I nod and agree. Within 6 months I am pretty much doing whatever I want and they are pleased as punch. Work your ideas in real gradual...and get that speed up there. That is the main thing I have learned from commercial work. You can do the same thing a lot faster, it is just a matter of shifting gears.
Don't try telling them all of the things you can do....just wait for the occasion to arise and show them. They will soon catch on to what you are all about.
I don't think one day is a fair chance.
You need to make the baker/decorator your friend. No one likes a newbie who comes in and tells them how to do things. Give it time. The person who hired you probably has an idea of what she wants different and that's why you were hired. Sit back and learn everything you can for now and when the chance comes up take it!
I am a manager in a new deli/bakery I just got promoted to this position. I have "old" employees there who don't like change and like everything the way they were doing it - I want change and as soon as I get back from vacation I'll have it - I've got to do it slowly and diplomatically so I'm sure this is what she's doing now.
Give it some time and in the meantime I'm sure there's some things you can learn.
Barb
Look, I understand your frustration. You seem extremely enthusiastic and want to delve into your work and show them how creative you are. Keeping an artist at bay is like trying to keep a wild animal in a cage. You need to be a little patient and show them what you are capable of, but be smart about it. Keep in mind that the woman who does cakes probably sees you as a threat. If you present your ideas to her in a non threatening manner you may have more success getting them to allow you to do things your way. Imagine someone coming into your spot stirring everything up like that. I'm sure you wouldn't have that either. Give it a chance and I'm sure with some patience and time you things will change for the better. Good luck.
Why don't you just be up front with her and tell her you would like some creative freedom. If SHE doesn't like doing the sculpted cakes then ask her if she would LET you try?? That way it is like you are asking her. She will be thinking " I will let her do it and see how things go wrong" You know how evil people can be! Just let her know that you have a slightly different style and you think you can branch out the company...How can she argue with that??? Don't be afraid to discuss things with people. Or else you are just going to be unhappy and wanting to leave all the time. This is your first experience and you should make the best of it.
BTW...they won't let you where the chefs coat because that is threatening to them. Sometimes when we are in a new job and getting to know new relationships there are different levels of interaction you have to go through to get comfortable with one another. Get yourself in there and learn how to do the things that you don't and just ask little by little. Eventually they should come around!
GOOD LUCK!
Very well said and I agree completely with what you said here! Good job! 
I too agree with those who give you advice to stick it out. People in general don't take to change right away and feel threatened with newcomers that come in like gang busters.
Businesses are built on what sells and works for the owners. If you decide to stay keep you head up, a smile on you face and be more than willing to help in any capacity and soon who knows as they get to know you they may show you interest and then you can show off your stuff.
I totally agree with everyone else. Give it some time. She hired your because of your skill, but wants to see how you handle the "easy" stuff first. If after a while you still haven't done cakes, confront her. Not negatively, just approach her and find out where you stand so you know if you have gotten all you can out of the job or better is coming your way.
(maybe you could wear the coat under your other attire 
)
I really like what everyone has said here. I just wanted to add...just be weary of the things you ask for being a new person. They may view this as tension and then it will take longer for them to come around to get to know you. There is always that period of time that everyone is trying to get comfortable with the way things are done in the work place. Also, you are viewed as a "trainee" at the moment...even though you have the skills to do the job, they still need to show you the ropes. Just be patient and things will fall into place!
As most here have said, Just give it some time. In every job I've ever had, the first week is always the hardest. New people and new surroundings. Give it a chance.
If you jump right in and start saying well you told me this and I expected that and so on and so on..... then you're just setting yourself up for failure and resentment. So my advice would be to swallow your pride and give the place a chance. You can always learn new things even if this one might be, to never work for that company again. Good Luck with everything!
I don't know your needs at this time but if the money isn't worth the boredom and frustration you are being set up for .....I'd leave.
It's like a chef working at Denny's.
It is the same medium of food but no room for you to use the real skills, art and creativity that is your gift.
They don't need you, so find somewhere else that does. That is just my opinion for what it s worth.
mommachris
thats what i keep thinking and once i did the math 8 an hour i was told full time and i am only part time so right now i am unemployment and i get 860 a month. i will only be making 620 ish that wont even pay my car payment!!
THANKS everyone i am taking EVERYONES advice and putting it to work ill give it a month (while i look for something else)!! its good to know others have been there. its not that i feel like i am above scooping cookies but i am just frustrated thanks for the kind words and words of wisdom
i completely agree with you on why they wont let me wear my chefs coat its just so frustrating!!!
but i will give it another go i have a feeling this will be a job i drive home from everyday crying 
ill let you all know how it goes tomorrow after day 2
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