I have a huge 'to-do' list. lol. Going to call corporate if they don't call me first (on Monday). I want to make sure about the $500, confirm that I don't have to pay utilities on top of that as well as finding out what he has in mind and how much of the bakery display, etc I can use.

Talked for a long time to my husband about this and what it would mean for our family, etc. I am ready (or at least I WILL be ready!) and with all the kids in school, I could be working from 8-2 (or earlier) while they are at school. It is do-able.

The main thing is to find out if it's 'pay $500 and work as much as you want, make as much as you want to sell, the more you want to work, etc'.

The main problem with cafe lady was everything I sold (if I sold anything) she felt was taking away from her business - even though she was getting free work off me, etc. So I don't think they think the same because they have a nice deli, butcher, etc. The only baked goods we spotted were generic and cheap, almost like an afterthought. Which supports what he said which was that they just shipped stuff in so customers had something to choose from.

Like a complete dumb bunny, I actually scheduled the meeting with cafe lady for Monday. I only did it to buy myself some time and not burn the bridge, even though I knew it was a hot mess. I don't stress at the thought of talking to bakery corporate guy - but I nearly break out into hives at the thought of having to deal with cafe lady again.

I am going to cancel and burn that bridge for good since I have finally decied that even if she is the only game in town, which she is not, I don't want to play with her anymore.

Ok, just composed the email to tell her I am cancelling the meeting for tomorrow and won't be re-scheduling.......tried to find a nice medium between professional and polite.

Yikes, the hub and my Mother are both fit to be tied, lol, and are dying to know what she will say after receiving it. I, on the other hand, just want it to be o-v-e-r!

Ok I'm dying to know - what did you say in the email?

Me too!! LOL

Ok, I just wasn't sure if I should post it here but I removed the identifying info, etc just to be respectful. Here is what I wrote:

_____________________________________

I need to cancel our meeting for Monday evening as I have decided to go in another direction with my business. I will contact the business license department through the City of Modesto and make it clear I am no longer affiliated with the Cafe. Once my new location, contracts and licensing are completed I will update that through the Health Department as well, so there is no need to worry about me being in any kind of violation. I do appreciate your time and wish you the very best with your business and family.

Take care,

Christine K.

P.S. I think it would be prudent, if you haven't done so already, to change the password that was created on your email account. I'm sure you can understand that I do not want to be put in a position where I am suspect if you have trouble accessing it in the future. Thanks.

_____________________________________________

I think that sounds great - very professional and final. Good luck.

Christine, That email's great. and the P.S. is like a slap without hands (as we say in spanish. LOL) Freaking psycho.

Now, I can't wait to hear what she tells you. LOL

A slap without the hands, lol, that's funny

I honestly hope I hear NOTHING. No phone calls, no random, hinky emails - just silence.......but sadly, I am pretty sure I am dreaming if I think that is going to happen. I think she will send another 'contact' thru my website and either confront me or ask some funky question (I am beginning to think she realizes I am too polite to tell her to get hosed) as a way to continue contact or to ask about details; where I'm going, what I have in mind, etc.

The mistake I made was that some of the stuff that came out of her mouth was so off-the-wall batsh*t crazy that I was literally stunned silent (no small feat, btw) and she interpreted this as me not 'understanding' how business worked, so knowing her, she will think I have mistunderstood something...... um, no.

When she contacts you again, just ignore it. Maybe she will get the hint (yea, right )

Also, I would make sure you contact the Health Dept first thing this morning before she does. You never know what she will tell them...

And definitely DON'T give her even an inkling of information of your future plans and where you are setting up shop. She will more than likely try to sabotage that for you.

Yep, I second cakesdivine a wacko like that you just never know. and yes,call the health dept.

Waiting on pins and needles for corporate guy to call me back! (I missed his call earlier........crap).

As for cafe lady finding out where I am at, the last couple times she tried to contact me was thru my website so I have a sneaking suspicion she will check back periodically. So if this works out, I would want to advertise my new location and I'm sure she will send a spy.... lol, don't laugh! I heard her talking about how they did that after she was fired/left one of the local bakeries and she wanted to see if they were still selling her recipes (something like that.)

Like I said, I want no part of it and haven't gotten a call yet (yeah!) so maybe that is over and I don't have to waste time stressing over that hot mess anymore......

Congrats, that is so exciting. I would also jump at that offer. Hope it all works out for you. I mean that's $16.67 a day to rent a fully stocked kitchen and have store space to sell baked goods...wow!

Good email. Maybe she will just leave you the heck alone. I hope the grocery store really works out for you. I'm wishing you the best!

Make sure you let us know if she emails back.

Congratulations! I am so happy for you, I wish something like that would happen to me too.

God works in misterios way.

I wish the best.

Lomikesa

Oh, sweet mother of God, I am going to throw up.......I am meeting with the bakery regional manager on Wednesday to go over all the equipment and make sure it is operational, etc and they said I could open a full blown bakery with employees if that is what I want. If I just want to bake some stuff to sell in addition to the custom cakes, that was fine too. The space is all mine....

The only stip was that I bake some french bread for the store so they don't have to have it shipped in each day. (They said the frozen bread is hecka cheap and the sales would also be mine so it was a good, simple money maker). They have the huge rack that holds multiple loaves as well as the huge walk in oven......

Did I mention I was going to barf? Oh my God........ I have to get my kids but wanted to give the update.

Take a deep breath...you can do this! I know the thought of a full-blown bakery with employees and everything is probably totally overwhelming. But you don't have to start that way! Start with a small selection and your custom cakes, see how things go, and build from there. This is so much better than that cafe!

YAY...congrats and go for it girl!!!

Thank you so much I am trying to breathe, really, I am! We are going to sit down and try to get organized and focus on a gameplan since this is an opportunity a bit different then what I expected. I think I want to keep it simple but not boring, at least in the beginning and then see what the customers want.

I just wanted to say Congrats. All that stuff with crazy cafe lady - I can see you second guessing this. But it really seems like your valley's peaking. I have no business experience so no advise to give. I just wanted to give you a cyber hug and offer you crossed fingers instead.

VERY VERY AWESOME! I am GREEN with envy!! Definitely sounds like you've earned this amazing opportunity!!!

So happy for you!!! It gives all of us "Someday..." bakers hope!

This sounds like a great deal. When one door closes another one opens. Congratulations!

What are the chances the cafe lady shops in that particular grocery store?

what an awesome wonderful opportunity!

keep us posted!


melody

I kept waiting to see what corporate said. I am so thrilled for you.
Good Luck!

We will be waiting for the update after you meet with the rgional manager on Wednesday. Like we all said - just make sure you have things in writing to protect yourself!! Good Luck!!!! This is so cool - can't wait to hear from you again.....

I am chartreuse with envy!
Congratulations ~ keep us posted!!