Starting a Business and College Majors

Ok here's my dilemma... I never even truly considered this until reading messages on this site.

I'm almost 18 and I'm going to college next fall for a bachelor's degree. There's no question about that. I've always thought that I'd major in some sort of photography and design and even at a certain school. This has been the case for years.

I've always loved cooking, especially baking. I've made MANY cakes and people always love them. When anyone in my immediate family has to bring something to a party/pot-luck/gathering, I make it and everyone knows that. I'm expected to and not just by my family, but by the people at the gathering too. They are very well aware of what I do. I've always thought in the back of my mind that it would be awesome to bake/decorate for a living, but never seriously considered it because I wasn't sure exactly where to start. Today, it hit me...I should major in business with a minor or double major in culinary (even the same for photography because I'd want to have my own business with that too). DUH! It makes total sense. The thing that really scares me is that I'd have to go to a totally different school than I've been planning to for the last few years. I've applied to an awesome art school that doesn't offer any type of business or culinary classes. I know that getting in there isn't even a tiny problem, I just still need that "official" letter. So that isn't a problem/concern. I've been taking some classes at a local private college for the last 2 years, but I've never truly thought that I would go there. They offer business management with a concentration in baking! How perfect is that? They also offer photography and graphic design if I were to decide later that this cake decorating/baking thing isn't for me. I would be able to keep the business part of my major and just change my minor, which wouldn't be a problem. It just wouldn't be my "dream" school (who knows maybe this will become my new "dream" school). I've gone there for the past 2 years and I do like it there (very small school with SUPER facilities). I know plenty of teachers there and I really like them too. I already have 16 credits from there that I always thought that I would transfer somewhere else. It's also MUCH closer to my house, which would save thousands of dollars over the years (tuition is cheaper too, but that's another story). I'd also get $2,000(per year...maybe even per semester, but I think it's per year) in scholarships without even trying because I took those other classes. I'm sure that I'd qualify for other scholarships too. Right now I'm reading a lot of books and internet articles and also am going to take some decorating classes soon to get the feel of the whole thing. I've thought about working at a bakery too. I also live near the Wilton School so taking classes there would be a very easy option for me if I go into this completely (another plus). Any other suggestions/ideas for me?

Here are my questions...

Have you gone down a similar route (college-wise...classses, majors, etc)?
Have you started your own home-business or regular bakery and what did it take? (This REALLY scares me)
Do you know anything about home kitchens in Illinois? (regulations, who to contact, inspections, fees, etc)
How expensive was it to start a business like this? ( I don't need a number like $24,382.17, but just an estimate/ball-park figure.)
What would you suggest I do to learn more about this?


Thank you so much for reading my post (I know it was long). I'd appreciate any advice or comments that you have to offer. I really need someone to either push me over the edge or pull me back to my original plans. So which is it...Push or Pull?

~Megan

Thanks so much for your quick reply.

I realize that bakeries are an extremely tough thing to operate, especially when just starting. I have no intentions of completely living off of the income from a home-based bakery the day I graduate from college. No worries there...(although that would be nice). I would try working at a bakery or two during college to start (one of my grandma's really good friends for 55+ years owns her own bakery and I might be able to start there) and maybe selling an occasional cake or two to family and friends from my house. My TRUE dream is to be a mommy, so in reality once I have kids baking would become more of an "extra income", which is one reason why I really want the flexibility that something like this would offer. I would have the option to...make the occasion cake/baked good for family/friends, work PT at a bakery, own my own bakery, have a home-based bakery, etc. It really does seem to be fairly flexible. I've also thought of renting a commercial kitchen if laws and regulations won't permit the use of a home kitchen.

I, too, am a huge believer in everything happens for a reason. I know that God will guide me wherever I need to be and he will aid me in getting there. Since I can't be sure of his plans, I'm looking for some advice of those who have been here too.

Thanks and I look forward to reading more replies.

It's not the college that I'm worried about so much as it is a complete change in my plans and dreams. The college itself doesn't really matter too much, I'm more concerned with the change of majors and life after college (starting this business & working). I guess I'm really looking for advice and information on starting and managing a business rather than which college I should attend. That I can very well decide on my own. Thanks again.

~Megan