I wasnt going to do it. I'm sick of cake and cake related stress at the moment. I have a Bridezilla who is planning her 6/2007 wedding and isnt even engaged yet- barking out orders left and right. I have the city I live in giving me crap about opening up a brick and mortor store, and I have the usual amount of customers who want a tierd cake for the price of a box of Hostess snack cakes. I dont know why it's gotten to me as much as it has but I've had a sinus infection since Monday and I just dont feel that right now is the best time for me to pursue anything else. So I will finish the orders that I have for the month and my October wedding and I am going to call it quits. I'll work from home and take the orders that come my way, but I'm not going to actively seek work. I'm not going to renew my license after this because I just dont have fun with this at this point.
But I will never, ever GIVE UP MY CAKE CENTRAL! (YOU CANT MAKE ME!)

Ahhh Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time!! Maybe taking a break is the answer.

I am so sorry for the way you are feeling right now. It's very understandable though with what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you for health and peace of mind!

FUN!!!???!!! You mean it's supposed to be FUN!!?? Just kidding. I feel for you, poor thing all that stress and not feeling well to boot. Maybe you are just burned out and need a break. Evil customers will take it out of ya'. Hugs to you and best wishes whatever your next move is.

Sorry to hear that! but you know what's best for you!!

take care, and (((((((((((((((big hugs))))))))))))))))))
I know you won't give up CC!!
We're here to support you!!!

Don't give up! You might just need to take a little break... maybe you were doing too much. I hope you get to feeling better soon too.

Here is a hug for you (())

see this is the reason I never want to sell cakes....I like just making my family happy....I dont want to be bossed around....then its not a hobby...its a job.

Maybe a break is what you need.....and here is hoping your upcoming customers give you no grief.

It's sad when our "passion", becomes our "pain". Taking a break is just what you need.. Even if you take a pause for a year.. This will give you time to get away and come back fresh..
From the looks of things, you just have a plate full. Within time it will get better.. Rest up and enjoy life.. Life is to short to not HAVE FUN!!! I know what you mean when it comes to people not wanting to pay the "correct" amount for a cake.. Anyhow, good luck to you and I hope you get to feeling better soon!!!

I'm sorry to hear that you are not feeling well, and wanting to quit. Maybe you'll feel differently about a break, and once you're feeling well! Sometimes just the stresses of everyday life can be enough to drive you crazy, let alone trying to start up a shop, etc.

I would love to be able to have a shop and do cakes for a living, rather than just a side thing to keep me occupied, but I fear that I won't enjoy it as much if it's my work. But, it would certainly be worth it to try.

Hang in there Little Camper! - we're here to support you!

Taking a break is absolutely what you need to do. I believe that everything happens for a reason and this break will point you in the right direction. I hope you feel better soon!

I don't know much about anything, but I was just reading a how to business book that said there are only 2 types of customers, cheap and cheaper. Maybe if you tell the bridezilla to go pound sand you'll feel better, some people are not worth dealing with. I know you happiness and mental health are the most important thing, but I personally think you are way to talented to give up!! I agree with the others, take a break regroup, get well - that may be just what you need. Whishing you all the best with whatever you decide.

Sue

renew your license. you might regret it otherwise. but do take a break - like evertyhing else, sometimes you need a vacation from all of this to make it fun again.

Thanks so much for your post. Sorry that things are so frustrating for you right now and I do hope that a break will help to change some of the situations that are giving you the most grief. Since I'm newly going into business, I'm learning from you and I thank you for your insight. Even now I'm tempted to say, "Oh, I'll do it for cost"...just to have the business. But I'm determined to stick with my prices and if the customer doesn't like the price, they can move on. My very best wishes to you...and I'm also a nurse, so take care of that sinus infection. Lots of fluids, plenty of rest and if you take antibiotics, take ALL of them!

I'm sorry to hear you are having such a rough time of it...I understand how everything can just tie itself up in knots and not want to let you go....for me I understand all to well I go through many many bouts of anxiety, stress and depression...and when all 3 are on the attack it's very hard....and I hate resorting to my anxiety/depression pills....but I do ...and along with my faith in god(and he is great!), I make it through the rough times....If you are a believer, put it all in his hands...and you will see the light...in his time....

Take your time...give yourself a much needed break....

Keep on baking.....

Cindy
P.S.
If I've offened you in anyway referring to religion...I'm sorry...THINGS WILL GET BETTER....

It does sound like you have alot on your plate right now - take that well deserved break and hopefully you will feel much better ! ((( Hugs )))

....not to get off topic here, but I'm wondering, do you all think that people are cheap or cheaper because they know you are doing cakes from your home and don't have a storefront? I can't imagine someone having the nerve to walk into XYZ Bakery in high-fluting wherever township asking them to lower their prices on their cakes or asking if they can do it for such and such a price. Call me naive, maybe this REALLY does happen? I'm thinking that when I go "pro", it might be a good idea to tell people my "bakery" or my "cake store" is not at my house and maybe they won't try to take advantage of me (just kidding on the fibbing part but I wonder if that's what it would take).

Suzanne

Please don't make any big decisions when you're feeling so bad and so blue. I've been fighting a sinus infection myself and just want to be left alone!!!

Take a break, go to the doctor and get yourself taken care of! Then you can think clearly and be able to deal with the cheapest of clients! They will always exist , but you will be able to laugh at them again when you feel better.

I THINK YOU SHOULD JUST TAKE TIME TO FOCUS ON YOURSELF FOR A WHILE AND WHEN YOU ARE READY THEN YOU CAN COME BACK, BUT ONLY WHEN YOU ARE READY. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE STRESSING
OR LETTING SOMEONE ELSE STRESS YOU. TAKE A VACATION AND COME BACK REFRESHED. SOMETIME WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE THINGS THAT WE LOVE THE MOST FOR A WHILE.

man oh man, do I feel your pain. I was away from sugar for about 5 years!

Yep, burn out is a tough thing to deal with but it's a reality in any business.


I'll bet you have worked NON stop for the time you've been baking, am I right? of course I am!..lol

I have ESPN..hahahah

but, seriously...you NEED, it is required, to take time for yourself!

Renew your lic, as someone said, you may regret it, but you can take a nice little vaca or just hole up in your house for a month...whatever makes you happy!

paint, dance, scream if you have to...

but, you know that once you've been bitten by the sugar bug you stay infected forever! lol

I just opened my shop on Aug 1st, and already planning on taking a small break after the holidays, ...I've never been to the Bahamas...........!

lol

Good for you! It's difficult to make that decision, isn't it?

Just remember that at least once per month, we get a newbie who used to decorate cakes, left it for a while, then came back and found they liked it a whole lot more now.

When the doctors told me I can no longer work due to arthritis, I decided from then on, I wasn't doing anything unless it was fun. So far, I still love it, but I do not deal with clients and bridezillas, etc.

Here's to hoping I get good enough to sell cakes, and sell enough of them to hire a salesperson to do the stress work for me.

Theresa

I agree ... don't let your license go in case you might regret it. Take a break and see when the bug hits you again.

And don't let people talk you down in your pricing. If they dont' want to pay, they don't get your cake. If you don't have price sheets printed up, maybe having them in writing would keep some people from trying to barter. You might feel more rested and less tense if you know you're getting what you should every time you do a cake...

Don't give up. Take a break!