My question is why would you start a business under those circumstances in the first place.
There are two choices devote full time to the business, or get rid of it.
Mike
*moderator edited*
I won't post what my mouth is uttering....
Sounds like a lot of feelings are getting hurt here. Time to stop watching this thread. 
My question is why would you start a business under those circumstances in the first place.
There are two choices devote full time to the business, or get rid of it.
Mike
*moderator edited*
I won't post what my mouth is uttering....
Those are the choices. Suck it up, and deal, or sell. Your life isn't that different than anyone elses on here. Your woes aren't any harder. Your making $$$$ that's better than some people on here.
Mike
There are two choices devote full time to the business, or get rid of it.
I won't post what my mouth is uttering....
Like it or not, Mike is right. If you're going to be a business owner, it has to be a full time focus, not a 9 to 5 endeavor. One must either think and function like an owner or think and function like an employee. Owning a business and thinking like an employee doesn't really work.
Here is my honest opinion on this
Never in the OP's post did she ask for PARENTING advice...She asked for advice on what is the best way to handle the onslaught of telephone calls from potential clients. She was only giving explaination as to why, for her, picking up that phone during the day was not a good option, and why her husband isn't available to do the administrative part of their cake biz, which answering phones is a big part of that. So any back handed parenting advice given by others was unrequested and unwelcomed, PERIOD! My panties were in a wad for the OP when I read that as well. Not that I didn't agree with the advice, but is was not requested!
I had a whole other statement in regard to derailing threads but posting that would have made me a hypocrit as writing what I wanted, would have indeed derailed this thread right into lock down 
Warning:
When you ask a question you may get answers you don't like.
Take from these posts what you can and leave the rest. No need to be nasty. I have learned not to ask questions I don't want the answer to. I type a lot of things I don't submit. LOL!
I had 3 kids they were all 3yo and younger at one point, no one was potty trained. It does get overwhelming, it will get better. Unfortunately, I am an example of not training them from the start. Now, I have a lot of work undoing all of that.
Find what works for you and be at peace that you are doing your best. Folks here sincerely try to help, no one was rude or trying to offend you. Take it light ya'll. 
I will add that in the original post one explanation pertained to the child, the response was offering solutions to that obstacle. It's all really one in the same. I was also offered the advice of giving my kids a special toy just for when I am on the phone. Nothing wrong with a suggestion like that. Just like there is nothing wrong with letting the machine pick up.
There are two choices devote full time to the business, or get rid of it.
I won't post what my mouth is uttering....
Like it or not, Mike is right. If you're going to be a business owner, it has to be a full time focus, not a 9 to 5 endeavor. One must either think and function like an owner or think and function like an employee. Owning a business and thinking like an employee doesn't really work.
BS!
I own 3 businesses and work a full time job as well. All are doing well and right where I want them to be.
newmansmom2004,
This is the husband. I prefer to define what's "fair" to me in my own way. Did you miss the part about my wife's physical limitations? She is doing a wonderful job with our son, and that's all I am asking of her under the current circumstances. Please take your "first thought" and your "red flag" and ...............
I appreciate the input, but she didn't ask for a child rearing or self-help analysis. Thanks to all of the other posters that provided PRACTICAL input.
Sincerely,
Confections_with_a_K's other half
Well dang. Dude, unclench.
I'm always stunned when folks come on here, ask for advice and then freak out when they get an honest opinion. If you wanted to be babyhanded then you should have asked for advice and then said you only want a certain opinion and members that voice any other opinion than just THAT ONE will be scalped.
I, on the other hand, am always stunned when someone asks for a professional solution, but instead get counseling or psychoanalyzation.
Again, thanks to all of the posters that gave understanding and genuine suggestions!
Dang, and all this time I've been thinking that I was the biggest a-hole here on CC.
I sure was mistaken.
Oh, don't get too disappointed! I'm sure you'll be back in first place soon! 
(for those who might think otherwise, Mensch you know I luv ya and am one of your biggest fans! 
)
There are two choices devote full time to the business, or get rid of it.
I won't post what my mouth is uttering....
Like it or not, Mike is right. If you're going to be a business owner, it has to be a full time focus, not a 9 to 5 endeavor. One must either think and function like an owner or think and function like an employee. Owning a business and thinking like an employee doesn't really work.
BS!
I own 3 businesses and work a full time job as well. All are doing well and right where I want them to be.
The key right there is your businesses are right where you want them. They are in the stage you are content with. If you wanted one of those to double, or triple it's size, what would happen to the others? The OP is not happy with the size thier monster has grown to.
Mike
Ok, my wife has gone through a hell of a time with horrible health issues beyond her control after we started the business. She's only trying to cope AND keep the business alive until things improve. Forgive me for being fiercely protective, or not, but she is my wife afterall. So you guys have to cut some slack.
You know the REAL question here is--- How did ya'll get your business booming so quickly?
I could use some booming right now! 
Nothing wrong with looking out for your better..err, other half. We forgive most things pretty easily around here. Okay, slack cut, now spill on the booming of it all!
You know the REAL question here is--- How did ya'll get your business booming so quickly?
I could use some booming right now!
Hah, it helps to be in an area where the same old stuffy bakery USED to have a monopoly! We just give customers something they're not accustomed to having, taste and quality.
I don't think that they are unhappy with it Mike, they are unsure how to deal with it, as they were expecting slow steady growth instead of a BAM effect. Most businesses don't get that BAM, they get the typical slow growth that anyone with half a brain can deal with.
My advice to the couple...If it is an administrative issue and not a production issue set administrative business hours that you can deal with and make them known, and put that information on your website and message machine. If it is both issues production & administrative then still do the designated admin hours, and look to a local culinary school for interns. They are free and usually knowlegable enough to assist with the production issues and it doesn't effect your bottom line. Or if you feel you can afford a part time decorator hire one...there are so many people out there without a job...be solution to their problem while they are being a solution to yours!
Mike so as not to keep derailing this poor thread I will PM you my other thoughts
HEY! It is time to remember what Jackie put on here a couple of weeks ago...basically, this is a forum to help each other...not a place for sarcasm, ugly talk, etc. If you are fairly new to the CC forums, let us gently remind you this is not a place to bicker, act inappropriate, or put down others. We are here to HELP each other.
So...you all get back to icing your cakes, answering the phones, and making creative and beautiful creations...and quit being so defensive, acting like a bully, and remember we are all in this together...if you need a question(s) answered, ask it and expect genuine truth...if you are thin skinned, then this is not the business to be in...and some of you who are seasoned, just answer the question and not give your philosophy on life...we all have one and chose it to be the way we do each day...whether we think the younger parents are right or wrong has no bearing on how business is run. Wisdom does come with age... too bad we are letting others decide which age chooses to be wise...
So, live, love, and eat cake scraps!
Need some help! My husband and I started our decorating business a year ago and it's turned into a monster. We didn't expect it to grow quite so fast. I'm at home with a 1 year old, a very demanding one year old, and I can only handle so much. I've had a lot of physical problems lately that are limiting my participation in the business. Daycare IS NOT an option. Fortunately, my husband had been able to keep up, barely, but he has a day job and is burning out fast.
We've developed a good, solid reputation in a short amount of time and we don't want to squander it, but we can't handle the ever-increasing volume. I'm not in a position to work in the shop during the day, my son gets upset when I get on the phone. It must sound very unprofessional when my son is whining in the background when I'm talking to customers.
I KNOW some of you ladies have experienced this, need some of your advice.
Question: How can I POLITELY not take calls? Do I put a message on the answering machine saying that I check messages x number of times a day and will return them in the evenings?
Anyone advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Confections_with_a_k
Maybe yall have a friend or family member you could trade cake for babysiting just a few hours once a week, that would be more helpful than you might think. Hope things get better with your health and business.
Tammie
You are so right about it starting slow. Business keeps getting better but it's not "there" yet for me. It is frustrating. So, know ya'll are blessed to be so successful so quickly. I can imagine it being like a system overload though.
Silliness aside, I sincerely with all my heart hope your wife's health improves. I cannot imagine being a mother and having a business and having health issues.
You are so right about it starting slow. Business keeps getting better but it's not "there" yet for me. It is frustrating. So, know ya'll are blessed to be so successful so quickly. I can imagine it being like a system overload though.
Silliness aside, I sincerely with all my heart hope your wife's health improves. I cannot imagine being a mother and having a business and having health issues.
Thanks Lenette, I guess it's overwhelming being a newbie asking for something and getting way more than you bargained for (the forum too, LOL). We are simply looking for balance in our lives right now while things improve. If I were not in my position, I would probably be more like Mike. But life has a way of fudging black and white into shades of gray.
Yes, I am a rough testosterone laiden, protective hubby, not the type you would figure to be making cakes, LOL. Not sure how well I'll fit in here, I'll try to gleen what I can from the wealth of suggestions and use what applies to us.
Thanks again.
You know the REAL question here is--- How did ya'll get your business booming so quickly?
I could use some booming right now!
Hah, it helps to be in an area where the same old stuffy bakery USED to have a monopoly! We just give customers something they're not accustomed to having, taste and quality.
Your cakes are very, very well done. I bet you could raise that starting price to $5 per serving, maybe have slightly less work, but reap bigger rewards with (maybe) less work - worth thinking about?! When I started 3 years ago, I charged a minimum of $2.50 per serving, now most of my confections come in at $5+ per serving, and I'm actually busier than ever (OK, maybe not what you were wanting to here lol, but at a higher price I CAN afford to turn business down. Sometimes you have to learn to say no, and that can be hard!). Good luck to you both though!
You didn't really use the word "yummy" did you?
Sorry, that word is so "Rachel Ray" to me and that woman makes my a$$ tired.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, that's the best description of her that I've ever heard!
To answer the question, get an answering machine and use it. Also raise your prices if the business is getting too overwhelming. So I pretty much agree with the other responses 
$3 a serving to start is too low for wedding cakes, you can go up to $3.50 at least, probably $4.
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