Here's the dealio
We got a call a couple of months ago from a High School and they wanted to bring in their "career choices" class in May to learn a little about the business. We accepted.
My question is how honest would you be?
There seems to be a sentiment out there that this business is all puppy dogs & ice cream, but those of you that produce enough volume to make a decent living know the truth.
I dont want to discourage any of them from getting into the biz, but the fact is that if you want a reasonable work schedule, family time, and to make a decent living cake decorating is probably not the gig for you. There are plenty of exceptions, but the vast majority that decide to do this for a living are going to retire with carpal tunnel and making no more than $15 an hour. I want to be honest, but not discouraging but I'm not a one sided guy if I tell them the good, I will be inclined to tell them the bad.
I have thought about just telling how great it is and letting them make their own decisions, but if it were my kid, I would want somebody to be totally honest about the ups and downs.
So my question to CC is, how honest would you be about the "darkside of cake decorating"? 
I don't know what to tell you, because they certainly do want the fluffy side... maybe you can spin it that it is a career that you can really enjoy and that is part of the payment?
My 8yo son says he wants to take over my business and tell him to RUN! 
I swear/affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Doug, I agree but therein lies the rub. I could make either of the following statements and they are both 100% true.
"Specializing in wedding cakes is an amazing business. You get to work with 2 people that are in the happiest times of their lives and they have chosen you to be a part of it. You get the opportunity to make what is in their heads a reality on their wedding day. There are few things in life that feel as good as setting up an amazing wedding cake and puffing up your chest while onlookers gush about how amazing the cake looks. When you are really on, The florist, caterer, and coordinator chase you down just to make certain that you know just how much you rock. When you hop back in the van, you can pop in the Geto Boys CD and rock "Damn it feels good to be a Gangsta" because at that moment, absolutely nothing feels better. And the best part is, you get to do that multiple times a week."
I could also say this with absolute honesty:
"We have worked 90 out of the last 91 days, between 7-14 hours each day. Our bank account in no way reflects it. We were here last night until 9PM and if we are lucky we will finish tonight by 10 I was here baking at 7AM this morning. I haven't seen any of my friends in 2007 and I will have exactly 2 weekends off this entire year. Since we opened our shop we work almost twice as much as we did at our previous jobs, yet we make $50,000 a year less than we used to. We aren't having children yet because kids need parents to be a around every once in a while and we aren't there just yet"
Once is fact, one is emotion, but both are completely honest.
I guess I could be a "happy medium" guy. Just this once.
they need to hear BOTH...
the good and the bad.
as too often they live in a fantasy world -- and that is part of job as teachers -- to ground them in reality not fantasy.
stinks -- but...
one can encourage the dream -- but help to them to keep both eyes wide open at the same time.
I don't know what to tell you, because they certainly do want the fluffy side... maybe you can spin it that it is a career that you can really enjoy and that is part of the payment?
My 8yo son says he wants to take over my business and tell him to RUN!
You are raising a smart one!!!
I am definitely going to give them the good & bad side, but I'm just curious "how much of each side" others would give, since there are lots of good & bad things that go along with this biz.
they need to hear BOTH...
the good and the bad.
as too often they live in a fantasy world -- and that is part of job as teachers -- to ground them in reality not fantasy.
stinks -- but...
one can encourage the dream -- but help to them to keep both eyes wide open at the same time.
Well stated Doug. Excellent advice. I'll give em a dose of each... although I may opt for a "regular strength" dose and save the maximum strength stuff for any of them that may be interested enough to follow up and ask questions. 
you may not have to "tell"....
but instead "answer" their questions.
give a brief overview that hits the highs and hints at the lows.
could be they'll ask all the right questions and you can then answer them.
and do ask leading questions.
like -- show example wedding cake
"So, how long do you think it to make this?"
(take guesses)
"Well, it actually took..... So, how much do you think I should sell this for?
(take guesses)
"Really? well how much do you think it cost to make?"
(take guesses)
"Well, just for ingredients alone it cost.... Now to that I have to add (insurance, and the other overhead items). And then I have to pay myself. How much and hour do you think I should pay myself?"
(take estimates)
"Interesting. OK. I charged the bride $X for this cake, so that means I made $/hour."
you may not have to "tell"....
but instead "answer" their questions.
give a brief overview that hits the highs and hints at the lows.
could be they'll ask all the right questions and you can then answer them.
and do ask leading questions.
like -- show example wedding cake
"So, how long do you think it to make this?"
(take guesses)
"Well, it actually took..... So, how much do you think I should sell this for?
(take guesses)
"Really? well how much do you think it cost to make?"
(take guesses)
"Well, just for ingredients alone it cost.... Now to that I have to add (insurance, and the other overhead items). And then I have to pay myself. How much and hour do you think I should pay myself?"
(take estimates)
"Interesting. OK. I charged the bride $X for this cake, so that means I made $/hour."
That's funny!! I have almost the same exact questions set up in the outline I have been working on for that day. Although I left out the "How much do you think I should pay myself" part because if one of those little jokers says "for that... about $3 an hour is plenty" I might fertilize my lawn with him.
Doug's such a smart guy. I like his itemized post.
I used to teach a careers class to eighth graders and it was all about exploring different paths. We didn't have the budget to go on trips, but we had people from many different careers come in to talk with the students. I absolutely wanted them to present the truth about a job and the students got a lot from those presenters. Our best was a young, African-American man who was launching a clothing line. He came from a home that was not well-off and he struggled in school - in essence he was like a lot of the kids in my class. At first he was very friendly and into being cool, and then he got serious with the kids and talked about finding manufacturers (needing to understand other cultures), overhead (using math), liability (thinking through decisions), etc. He was fantastic and the kids loved him. He didn't sugarcoat anything - he even brought a pic of his crappy apartment to show the kids that he had to choose between his dream and his style, that it's ok to not have everything.
Good luck and be honest! You're not doing anyone a favor by making it seem easier than it is!
Christy
I agree, the bad goes with the good and it's important to tell them both sides. My four year old (currently known as Wonder Woman) tells me that she is going to work at McDonald's when she grows up. I tell both of my girls that it's not important what they do but that they love what they do. I think that the most important thing for us as parents, teachers, role models is to enforce that the most important thing is for us and them to like what we do and enjoy our jobs. Sure that's not everyday but hopefully most of them and that it gets the bills paid, too!!
Good luck, PieceOfCakeAZ, this is a great opportunity for you, how fun!!
I have a theatre degree from a very expensive school, and one of the things that ws drilled into us was that theatre is a profession that you enter for the joy of the work, because most likely, you'd never get rich, or even make a livable wage working in the theatre
I think that most food industry jobs are similar. Do it for the joy, not the money. I think that is a very honest way to approach it.
Although I left out the "How much do you think I should pay myself" part because if one of those little jokers says "for that... about $3 an hour is plenty" I might fertilize my lawn with him.
LOL!!!!
oh....let me tell you.....the times, the times I've thought the very same thing!!!
I would definately let them know that they need to go into it because they love it, not because they expect to be rich or famous. Sometimes I think people like Colette or Duff give the impression (through no fault of their own) that one can just go to school and practice and then have a cool bakery and make lots of money. But for most people that is not the case at all. The kids definately need to go into it with their eyes open.
Be honest with them. I think the biggest downfall is to tell a kid they can be anything they want, and not let them know the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is why half of us changed our majors 12 times in college! I wish someone wouldve just told us the truth! LOL
....I used to teach a careers class to eighth graders and it was all about exploring different paths. ..... then he got serious with the kids and talked about finding manufacturers (needing to understand other cultures), overhead (using math), liability (thinking through decisions), etc. He was fantastic and the kids loved him. He didn't sugarcoat anything - he even brought a pic of his crappy apartment to show the kids that he had to .....
This thread reminds me of a previous experience....
When I worked for the casket mfg co., our local chamber of commerce was giving summer field trips to the TEACHERS to show them what kind of jobs were out there. YOu'd be amazed how many guidance counselors were heard saying, "I had no idea a tool and die guy made that much money! I had no idea these jobs existed in our community!"
I will recall forever what our plant manager told those teachers, when one of them asked "What do you need from us, when we prepare these kids for the working world?". He told them..... "I can teach them everything they need to know to work in my plant, to run my machinery, to make my product. What I need are people who know how to read a ruler, who can add and subtract fractions, who know how to get to work on time, who understand 8 hours work for 8 hours pay."
I also have done a couple of gigs at high schools. What I try to get across is how to apply in the adult world the things they are learning in their teenage world. That working in a kitchen can be a career (Emeril? Duff?). My husband gave me that slant. When he started woodworking, the realization that he was working with geometry was eye opening and he was really ticked that when he was struggling in high school to learn geometry, no one ever told him how it would be applicable in his adult life. He said, "if anyone had ever told me I'd use geometry to create furniture, I might have paid attention!"
I know I digressed a little, but you have a unique opportunity to show them how the learning experience can apply to their adult life. Show them how math class applies to cooking (adding fractions of cups, etc), show them how math also makes or breaks their bottom line profit (sometimes it's NOT cheaper to buy the 25-lb bulk bag!), show them how the color wheel in art class can help in a pastry career, teach them how learning to write proper English will apply when they are writing their business brochures to draw customers to their business.
Above all, have fun with it!! Share your passion!
Oh please tell them the truth and encourage EVERY other person you know who ever does this to do the same. I worked for years (and hope to again) with young college students - mostly first and second year and they have such UNREALISTIC goals! Starting with those who try to major in music and science at the SAME TIME (happens a lot).
Kids are just never TOLD how hard it is period.
Heck, I even remember when I got my first "real" job. Well, I did a lot of grunt work and I remember thinking, "I got my degree to do this? This job needs a degree? Why??"
Well, now I get that the degree doesn't entitle me to some fancy shmancy job and that ALL beginners have to do grunt work in no matter WHAT field and the degree SIMPLY means (for most degrees anyway) that you are fairly intelligent and have to have some work ethics.. that's about it!
Melissa
Oh please tell them the truth and encourage EVERY other person you know who ever does this to do the same. I worked for years (and hope to again) with young college students - mostly first and second year and they have such UNREALISTIC goals! Starting with those who try to major in music and science at the SAME TIME (happens a lot).
Kids are just never TOLD how hard it is period.
Heck, I even remember when I got my first "real" job. Well, I did a lot of grunt work and I remember thinking, "I got my degree to do this? This job needs a degree? Why??"
Well, now I get that the degree doesn't entitle me to some fancy shmancy job and that ALL beginners have to do grunt work in no matter WHAT field and the degree SIMPLY means (for most degrees anyway) that you are fairly intelligent and have to have some work ethics.. that's about it!
Melissa
I agree wholeheartedly.............
We were never told how hard it actually is. Just "go to school, get good grades, do extracurricular activities so your college app looks good, get into college, get a degree and you'll have a great job making tons of cash, and not have to work hard"
And after growing up on a farm, this sounded like a FANTASTIC choice. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. It's a real wake up call when your first job out of college doesn't pay you more than you paid per year in tuition!!!
They need the truth, but don't scare them (well, unless you want to. But video tape it and let us watch too!!!) 
...Well, now I get that the degree doesn't entitle me to some fancy shmancy job and that ALL beginners have to do grunt work in no matter WHAT field ....Melissa
reminds me of 2 things.....
1. A cartoon in which a young kid is interviewing for a job and tells the interviewer, "I'd like to get into CEO-ing!"
2. A co-worker (this was her first real job out of college) who expected a $5000 raise after 6 months because she was used to hearing that her daddy got big raises at his job, not factoring in that daddy was a corporate attorney for a big pharmacutical (sp?)company! She was making $20K a year and was ticked because she didn't get a 25% raise and even more ticked when her first raise was the standard 4%. (sometimes it's fun to be the older person who can sit back and be entertained by these kind of co-workers!) 
But I feel sorry for them because they've never been told they have to WORK for a living!
I agree with the others about telling them the truth about what this industry really is. The degree, even an associates degree, tells an employer that they are trainable. Nothing more nothing less. Remind them that only 1/3 of all graduates ever work in the career field they trained in and they will forget 95% of everything they learn in college..
There are stories to tell like how wonderful some things are that you're a special part of someone's day and special event and that each cake has a story to go with it.. How it is a stressful job because you're also dealing with bridezillas who don't understand the logistics of a wedding cake or customers that don't think you are entitled to make a living selling cakes for a rate that you need to in order to stay in business. How being a small business owner doesn't entitle you to the discounts that the big guys get.
Then be realistic about how schools never teach about the reality of dealing with the government in the work place (crisco and trans fats.. how it's impacting the baking industry because we can't just use "trans-fat free" or all butter) and think that business owners are rich and can pay a higher tax rate (yea, right after I finish paying for equipment that has an "NSF" label for 2x the price when I could use this one from Walmart that works better for the particular task). How you work for not even close to what you're worth (which 80 hours you wanted to work this week) when you're dealing with something that literally can make someone sick or kill someone if you mess up with an ingredient (allergy, salmonella, or E. coli outbreaks).. Things to remember the next time they go out to eat that simple things like washing hands, wearing a hat, keeping the fridge/freezer at the proper temps..
Also, explain to them that a minimum wage job is STILL better than no job because they are contributing to their own personal success and destiny even if that's just to make a little money on the side. Working in the service industry (hotels, stock clerk, checker, bakery, restaurant, buildings and grounds, etc.) even if only for 6 months of their life will teach them skills and first hand knowledge that people working those jobs really are doing the jobs that make business go around. The world still needs a ditch digger.. The job also will teach them personal skills on handling customers and handling other store personnel in the future when they have a complaint or issues to deal with. They will realize that the person behind the counter is just doing what they're told, they're not a punching bag for your bad day. It also will teach them the importance of "the simple things" like sweeping up a mess instead of leaving it for someone else and how customers truly do notice!
Encourage them that even if they don't plan on entering the food industry for their lifetime, the average first-time owner of a McDonalds chain worked there for a total of ONLY 7 years. They can do the math from there to know $$$$$$$ just by working in a job that others thought was 
but most people frequent at least once a year..
I have two daughters, they both know the truth about this business.
The oldest Gina and 16 months younger is Stevie.
Our first year in business, 1996, they were 12 and 13 yrs old. We got an order from General Motors, 10,000 S-10 cutout sugar cookies, each was sprinkled and wrapped individually. Gina skipped school to help her parents, Stevie said she couldn't miss school. (I was impressed 
while at the same time thinking she's lazy ) It was not hard work but it was a mass production mini-factory type situation.
Gina new we needed help in the bakery and turned down college, to work for very little money. Of course the fringe benefits are good.
Stevie said I'm using my brain and going to college, she graduated 4 months ago and has already found a job in her field. To my surprise she has turned out to be a hardworker, in fact she works for the Times Gannet and she created the ads for us at these links
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=BOSSIERVOICES
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/classifieds?Category=LIVING05&type=CAT1060
My point is two people saw the good times and the hardships. They made different decisions. Gina is happy with her decision and may go to college if we were to sell the shop.
Stevie said she would never want to work this hard at the bakery! for the pay.
I do secretly growl at all the people who think this would be a FUN job. It is a demanding and stressful job. Most of us who are self-employed mom and pop style just own tuff jobs! But I don't want to work for anyone else, so that is the payoff for me.
mpc
PieceofcakeAZ -
I definitely think you need to tell them the truth. One of the problems with TV airing episodes of bakery shows and challenges is that viewers do not look on the clock in Duff's bakery, like last week, when they were still there at near midnight.
Theresa
I swear/affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
"We have worked 90 out of the last 91 days, between 7-14 hours each day. Our bank account in no way reflects it. We were here last night until 9PM and if we are lucky we will finish tonight by 10 I was here baking at 7AM this morning. I haven't seen any of my friends in 2007 and I will have exactly 2 weekends off this entire year. Since we opened our shop we work almost twice as much as we did at our previous jobs, yet we make $50,000 a year less than we used to. We aren't having children yet because kids need parents to be a around every once in a while and we aren't there just yet"
Wow! I should save this paragraph to read to people when they say to me, "Why don't you sell cakes to make some extra money?" Uh...
I work as a teacher and felt I had to answer your question.
At this stage in their lives the kids just don't care about whether it will impact on their family lives, if they'll earn a lot or not etc. They want to feel that in their future there might be ajob they can enjoy and/or be good at. That could be as a fireman, a doctor, a writer etc. They're just gathering information and ideas.
Do an introduction to what you do, tell a few funny stories called 'diasasters I've had,' and then just answer their questions.
Thanks for all of the great insight guys! I will indeed be completely honest with them, but in own my mildly humorous way.
ie. "Did any of you notice the couch in the lobby area? If you remove the cover, you will notice it's not a couch at all, it's actually a futon... which as you know, folds out into a bed. Anybody want to guess why a wedding cake specialty shop would need to have a bed in it... and if you were going to guess it's for something fun...you'd be wrong."
I'm just glad they aren't coming in this week (12 wedding cakes, 2 open houses, and an anniversary cake)... my wife & I would probably put them to work.
ie. "Did any of you notice the couch in the lobby area? If you remove the cover, you will notice it's not a couch at all, it's actually a futon... which as you know, folds out into a bed. Anybody want to guess why a wedding cake specialty shop would need to have a bed in it... and if you were going to guess it's for something fun...you'd be wrong."
My couch/bed is hidden but I also have 2 reclining comfy chairs in case I just want a quick 2 hour nap, which I did last night. I napped for 2 hours and went back to work til 4:30 this morning. Hmmm what time is it now. Better get in the other room and start work now that I am awake.
mpc
www.mypastrychef.com
ie. "Did any of you notice the couch in the lobby area? If you remove the cover, you will notice it's not a couch at all, it's actually a futon... which as you know, folds out into a bed. Anybody want to guess why a wedding cake specialty shop would need to have a bed in it... and if you were going to guess it's for something fun...you'd be wrong."
My couch/bed is hidden but I also have 2 reclining comfy chairs in case I just want a quick 2 hour nap, which I did last night. I napped for 2 hours and went back to work til 4:30 this morning. Hmmm what time is it now. Better get in the other room and start work now that I am awake.
mpc
www.mypastrychef.com
I know the feeling! I'm thinking of getting DirecTV at the shop since we spend most of our time there. We already keep extra clothes and food there, we might as well move in.
CoutureCake - I agree with your summary of the subject. Regardless of the career choice young adults (teens/college age) choose to persue, it is important to tell them the truth.
You can make this time in front of a class as detailed as you would like about the reality of the Cake world.
As with most teachers and educators, if you can reach just one student who may have a deep seaded passion to enter the food industry, your job is done.
One resounding comment I have read is that kids today need to be realistic in their career choices.
TV glamorizes the end results of successful individuals. What it does not show is the years, months, days, hours of endless, some times degrading, payless, thankless jobs that an individual endured to get where they are today.
I guess that's why documentery/biography shows impress me so much!
Like others in this thread, I wish adults would have told me the truth about real life. Good, Bad or Indiffernt, you have the opportunity to bring light to our industry. Be proud and give yourself a pat on the back.
Share your knowledge and enjoy your time with the young impressionable minds. Who knows, one of them may ask for an internship!
I know the feeling! I'm thinking of getting DirecTV at the shop since we spend most of our time there. We already keep extra clothes and food there, we might as well move in.
I swear I am going to Home Depot to see how much it will cost to put a shower in the bathroom and some nice tile flooring to the extra 600sf. I'll never go home again, I'll just rent out the house!
Seriously I use this forum to vent my pain hahahah
mpc
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