I'm currently a stay at home mom but I am now ready to go back to the workforce. I saw a job posting for a well known pastry place around here and they are looking for a cake decorator to make specialty cakes. I was so excited to see this as this is what I want to do if ever I'll work in a bakery. So, my dilemma is I'm also looking into going legit with my cakes, as a sideline, specializing in wedding cakes. I've already found a commercial kitchen to work in but still have yet to register to get a license. I want to join the bridal show in January. Is it a conflict of interest if I have the job and have my own bussiness in the same field? The bridal show I want to be in is quite huge, so it's very much possible that they might hear of me being there and I'm afraid I might get into trouble. So guys what's your take on this? Do you think it's unethical?

I think you are going to have to make a tough decision here, because I think that would definately be a conflict of interest. You could just work at the bakery for a little while to get some experience and to save money for your venture. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do!

i don't think it would be a good idea to work at a bakery and do your own business on the side. i also don't think the bakery would even let you do that...
so with that i said i would work at the bakery for a couple months to get experiance and then go on my own

I have to agree with the others. I would work in the bakery for a while - you will learn a lot that way - who to buy from, how certain things are done, etc. Then you can take that knowledge and work on your own venture!

I bake cakes from home (not hugely busy, mostly word of mouth and scattered business) and also work (part time) for an upscale caterer that makes wedding cakes.

I was upfront about what I do at home when I interviewed and its actually my photos of the cakes I make at home that helped me get the job. This job is unique also because they let me keep and use photos of the cakes that I personally decorate there as well. However they are mainly a caterer, not a bakery, although they do offer very nice wedding cakes and occasionally a party cake. I have learned alot working there and am much more confident doing wedding cakes now than ever before.

I would say just be upfront. The reason you are even able to possibly get the job is because of your experience and talent from home. They may like that about you and not feel like they are having to compete.

I feel honesty is always the best. If I were you I'd go interview but just tell them how things are and see what they say.

Didi.

I don't think that you COULD do both. Working in a bakery will give you experience, and bring you speed but you will have to do the type of decorating that they tell you to do. The upside is that you will always know your schedule and your paycheck at the end of the month. You may be working long hours on your feet and during the holidays, it's insanity!

Working on your own, you can pick and chose the orders. The paychecks may not be as steady, but you will be your own boss. There is more risk involved here, but you need to do what is best for you right now.

You may want to try working in the bakery for a couple of months and see if this is for you, so you don't go into all the expense of setting yourself up and then finding out you hate this.

Just don't tell them, I know that If I hire someone that I will be training to work for me, and I know they are going to quit in a few months...I wouldn't take the chance to hire them.

I own a bakery and I can honestly say that all of my employees sign a confidentiality agreement and employment agreement that states they will not discuss recipes, techniques, or policies with anyone outside of the bakery, they agree to not be employed by another bakery, caterer, or food establishment (except serving) while employed with me. This includes self employment.

I did this because I do believe it is unethical. Just my 2cents.

i worked in a bakery for 4 years, i learned everything i needed to know on how to construct a wedding cake so i decided to do my cousins wedding cake on my own at home and a sweet table for 300 people...i took my vacation the week before the wedding. my boss knew that this wedding was a big deal and lots of potential customer that would pay for her overly priced cakes, but due to her deciding not to give me a discount for doing it on my own ( i offered to come in to work on my own time to make everything ) i did it myself at home.. i went back to work the following week and fired me.. lol im actually happy it happened coz i took a job right away at another bakery being the only decorator and had the opportunity to do wedding cakes.. my old job she wouldnt let us touch a wedding cake if they were over 2 tiers.. SHE had to decorate them.

I would definitely ask them ahead of time. My husband is a network administrator for a security company and he had to sign a contract that states he wont do any kind of computer work for profit outside of the business nor anything security related or hes in breech of contract and they WILL sue. Most companies Ive worked for were the same exact way. But this place may be different though I doubt it. If they specialize in cakes why in the world would they want their decorators advertising their own home business and not theirs? Doesnt make much sense. But you never know until you ask!

Thanks for the insight guys. Yes, when I thought about this, it somehow didn't feel good and I just need other people's opinions about it and I'm glad that I posted this thing that has been bugging me. I've been trying to find a daycare for my son and I couldn't find one . So I guess going back to work full time is going to be on hold. But at the same time I'm quite happy that I get to spend more time with my baby. It's just there are days that I want to be more productive again in a different sense. And of course the extra money would be great. Another option would be to work in a field totally different from cakes. Although wouldn't it be fun to decorate cakes all day and get paid for it? Sigh...

Magentaa23, I'm sorry to hear you got fired. But I guess it worked for the best. What I don't understand is why fire you for doing your relative's cake? I know they lost some money on it but come on, it's family!