Hi friends!
I'm curious...I've not opened up a shop yet, and at first, I was DEFINATELY going to, no qualms whatsoever. BUT I've read so much on here about the struggles, the payoffs, the emotions, the let downs, that now I start to think..... Of course, my bakery is still a couple of years off, but I'm debating as my child is about to enter 8th grade, then here comes the frenzy of high school. I worry about the time, the missed school events etc. That maybe I should move my 2 year plan to 5 years, then she'll be out of high school.

Sometimes I just think it would be fun to keep it as a hobby and just go around the country and compete at ICES cake shows! I plan on doing that anyway!
I guess what I'm wondering...for those of you who have your own shops or businesses, do you ever wish that maybe you should've just kept it as a hobby?

And for those hobbyists, are you content at keeping it so? Or are you eventually going to make it a career?

Gee, I struggle with the same question. Right now its more of a paying hobby. I just don't know if i have the ambition to make it as a shop owner. Of course i wouldn't be doing that until after my boys are out of school, so thats at least another 4 years. Right now i have a full time job with benefits and its just so hard for me to think of taking that leap.

I'm also wondering if any business owners wished that they'd waited a bit longer, or what you would've done differently?
Peg, lets see if we can get some more opinions.

Hey Lady,

I think someone should only open a business if they are extremely passionate about it. It is good to plan but I think you will probably have to wait and see how you feel once your child finishes High School. Or if you have the burning passion before that and you can do it then go for it.

So basically I'm saying follow your gut! I know you have the talent to back it up!

hey girl!!!
{{{Hugs}}}

Guess I'm just having my doubts, you know?

I have some of the same concerns, but I've learned that I've never regretted taking a leap of faith to do something I'm passionate about! Sure, there are frustrations and pitfalls and paperwork and red tape and bridezillas.... But I've got versions of those things in my life anyway! I may as well be doing what I really enjoy!!

Another rule I've made for myself over the years is to "step away" every so often. I may not be able to afford a week on a tropical island, but I can take a few days here & there and just chill- pitch a tent with my hubby in the woods, or drive to wine country and get a cheap motel room. And that requires planning ahead!

I guess what I mean is- it will be YOUR business, and you will be able to run it successfully and still have time for family and other things in your life, but only if you schedule it that way.

I agree that you should trust your instincts and what you feel most stongly about, too!

I've been doing this for 25 years and I just signed the lease on a shop a few months ago. It just "felt right" this time. My eldest daughter was going to partner with me but decided she needed to spend this time withe her daughter (and the new son who will be popping out any day!) plus she told me "I told really want to work weekends." (I said, "WE DO WEDDINGS!!!!!!!!!!" )

It's such an emotional decision in addition to the financial ones. I don't mean this to sound simplistic, but when it's right .... you'll know.

I can completely understand having your doubts. I don't have any kids yet, so that's definitely helpful in my decision. Like albumangel said, you can basically choose when to work and when not to work. If you need to take time off for your child you can do that. I just wanted you to know that I have faith in you. You have a good head on your shoulders!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

I agree with indydebi- you'll know when the time is right. Things will happen that will feel like a path is being made for you (and it is!).

I originally intended to open my shop after my son started kindergarten, which will be fall of 2008. I prayed over it, and got an itch to start looking around at locations. Lo and behold, I found the perfect location in my little downtown area in a newly refurbished 1860 building- right next to a coffee shop and an old fashioned ice cream/candy store. I prayed some more, took my time thinking about it (much to the landlord's dismay ha ha), and even involved my 2 small children (4 & 5 yr olds) in the decision, and now I am building my cake shop in that space!

Am I nervous? YOU BETCHA! But I am getting such an amazing response from people who peek in while we're there, I just know it is the right time!

So, enough about me. Sorry 'bout that. Listen to your heart, and get some input from your family. Good luck!

I would only open a storefront that was "by appointment only". I work for myself because I HATE being tied down to a schedule. I want to work when *I* want to work - and I have 5 kids, so I need a lot of flexibility.

It's all about examinining your needs/goals (personal & financial), etc.

same here!! That eliminates you having to hire a front desk person, etc. I would absoultely love to one day open a store, if I were that good, but i'm going to school to become a teacher, I would have to see how it goes.......I say your kids are older, make sure you have a back up or have certain pick up hours which would make you more flexible....good luck, I say if you have a chance to do it, then do it!!! A lot of people don't have that chance.

I am seriously thinking about doing cakes and pastries as a business too, but I am just starting. I love to bake and I love to come up with recipes for healthier versions of baked goods. Until now, I reserved my baking frenzy for the holidays, but now I am learning how to decorate and I love that too. So, I figure I'm going to start very small and see where it takes me.

Signing a lease in the morning, for a Christian Coffee/bakehouse...Hallowed Grounds...so I think I will continue a blog about out happenings...check out my blog for a pic of the bld...

Picked up the 3 compartment sink today. So excited, and calm, and terrified, and scared, and calm....you get the picture!

And, btw, I have 3 children who are homeschooled who will be helping me. YOU CAN DO IT!

thanks everyone!
For awhile there, I was so excited, planning, designing, drawing...then I got really busy with work, and everything kinda went KAPUT...then that kinda depressed me, it made my mind start to wander....and it made me question myself.
I told my husband and he told me to not give up on my dream that it will happen and we'll KNOW when the time is right and everything will fall into place. He was sad to see that I hadn't written in my "Cake Journal" in over a month.
Then my daughter, who is 13, and didn't know anything about my doubts, came home today and said, "Mom, we had to write down where we thought we'd be in 10 years, and I said, I would've graduated from Culinary School at the Cordon Bleu and would be working in your bakery as Executive Manager" and it made me realize that it's not only my dream, but my family's as well.
Congrats to all you starting new endeavors and to all of you who are there and LOVING it!
I feel refreshed and rejuvinated, thank you!

good luck

I have been thinking about opening a shop for years and finally decided to start with a home based bakery so I can make my own schedule and stay involved in all of the kids activities. I am a foster parent of three children (two teenagers and a 9mo old) and have 1 biological child (15mo.) Waiting on my inspection hopefully be up and running in a few weeks. Also this way I will only be as busy as I want to be.

[quote

Then my daughter, who is 13, and didn't know anything about my doubts, came home today and said, "Mom, we had to write down where we thought we'd be in 10 years, and I said, I would've graduated from Culinary School at the Cordon Bleu and would be working in your bakery as Executive Manager" and it made me realize that it's not only my dream, but my family's as well.
nated, thank you!
[/quote]
That is so beautiful and so true, whatever we do we do for our children, and it will be great for your daughter to see you grow and succeed in your dreams. I opened my shop 4 years ago, after 10 years doing it from home. I must say that it takes time for it to grow to the point that is too absorbing, so you'll be really busy by the time she lives to college, so your timing is perfect, the moment is now, when the dream is fresh and strong. I have two kids, who LOVES my shop, being there and talking to the costumers and helping, The 14 year old likes to help with the computer so he charge costumers, and the 9 year old loves to give ideas to the clients, show them pictures and just taking credit for "helping me" decorate.
I hope your dream comes true.
Paola

VRM,
your avatar of your baby is simply precious!!!
Paola,
it is so nice that your family is so involved, guess thats what its all about huh?
Gateaus,
good luck on your home bakery! Wish I could do that here in Texas, WAAAAAAY too strict, you kinda have no choice but to have a storefront around here. And congratulations on your new little "coming attraction!"
Indydebi!
Yay! For you!

It really helps to have friends like ya'll and I feel so much better this morning. I have 2 investors that want to build me a bakery, but I told them I'm not ready yet, and it felt REALLY good to say that. So they said they will wait, but I really want it to be my own too.

{{{{HUGS}}}}