Hi! I'm a newbie to the site and I found ya'll 1 day too late! (Really could have used the Melvira Method like 2 days ago!)

I have 1 year of decorating experience from Kroger (1996-1997), but I've been doing cakes sparatically since. I've done 2 real wedding cakes and a ton of b-day and family gathering cakes. I'm about to pour $300 into about $650 worth of cake supplies (pans, pillars, cake plates, tips, etc.) and I'm really nervous. This (cake business) is something that I've wanted to do since I was first asked to decorate at Kroger. I have the same fears as everyone else (Is it lop-sided? Is that red dark enough? Are they lying to me when they say they think it's awesome?). My family is supportive (DH & son love getting scraps), but I have this job...

I work seven 12 hr days, then seven 12 hour nights, then I'm off for 7 days. I LOVE my job and can even bring cakes up here at night to decorate (helps out a LOT!). I want to make a business work but I don't want to tell someone that I can't make them a cake because I have to work, so I end up getting sleep deprived to get a cake out. It's just super hard for me to swing being the bread winner (DH has rhuemetoid arthritis @ 29 so he can't work and he's working on getting SS disability now), plus a full time mom to my little 4 yr old boy and a full time employee.

I guess I just want to know if anyone else is in a similar situation where their 'real' job is holding them back from really doing what they want with a cake business and how they're handling it. Plus, I really want to learn more techniques so I'm not just stuck with BC. I have done 2 cakes w/ fondant, and I don't like it, but then again, I don't have a lot of time to practice.

Advice...anyone? Do I need a shrink or a time manager?

Jen,
i just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I am currently working weekend nights, attend graduate school during the week, and run my kids with any other time i have left. I am new to cake decorating but I'm quickly wishing that I could do more of it. I wish you the best in achieving your goal. Sometimes I think small goals will assist with the greater goal. Some people do better by jumping in all the way and working with the stress. I would like to encourage you to reach your goal and make yourself happy!!! Good Luck!!!!

Julie

After spending all night going through past posts, I realized that I LIVE IN TEXAS!! So, if I'm going to get in the biz, I guess I should get legal and NOT do it out of my house. Of course, that's going to take a while. This site is great! I learned so much looking through everything. I still want to pursue starting a biz, but now I'm just going to have to take a different route. I know now that I'm going to be spending my week off researching Texas laws. Yea!

I know your pain! I have a full-time job, I'm a single mom (thus, the sole bread winner) and I own a small hobby farm...and I have a licensed bakery business on the side. It's crazy! I love my "real" job - I'm a cancer researcher - but there are days when I'd love to ditch the 85-mile a day round-trip commute and stay home to bake and play in the dirt. My job offers great benefits that I really need, like health insurance and tuition reimbursement for my daughter, so quitting isn't an option until she gets her bachelor's degree in 2016! Believe me, you become an expert in multi-tasking and time management when you essentially have two full-time jobs. The extra money is worth it though, so for the next ten years at least I'll be juggling both. Good luck!

It's funny this topic should come up. I've had an exhausting week making 72 halloween cookies, 2 - tiered cakes and 2- smash cakes. I too work 40 hrs a week and help in my husbands business in the evening along with my cake decorating. It's 10pm every evening before I sit down to relax and I'm wondering if it's worth it. I love making and decorating my cakes and being creative with sugar. I would love some day to make enough money to quit my full time job and do doing but cakes but I just turned 57 and wonder if I'm really being realistic at my age. The extra money is nice to have but I turn right around and spend most of it on supplies to start all over again for the next week. The most I've ever been paid for a cake is $55.00. When you think about all the work it's not very much for all your time and effort. Pam from Bama

I hear you. I work full time in accounting and I am also still trying to get my bachelor's degree in addition to (attempting) to plan my wedding. I also would love to do this full time but I'm nervous because if I don't make what I'm making now, my fiance and I wont be able to save for kids or for our future house! I don't really know what to do so I'm not much help, but at least you're not alone!

Jen,

It doesn't cost anything to believe, with faith you can achieve it. When I can't see a way through hard times , I say to myself if it is meant to be, then it is up to me. If it's not worth praying for then it's not worth having. This may sound corny to some but it has worked so far. It's going to be alright. Strap on those boots and go for it one day at a time. You can do it !

Jen,
I feel your pain. I work 80 plus hours a week. I have a full time job along with having a wedding cake company. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who takes care of dinner, vacuming and taking care of my toddler. I just got us out of debit 4 months ago and now I can start planning my leaving the first job. Although is still about 9 months away. Because I am working so much I have given my foot a rare and painful tendenitis ( surgery is coming up on that). I have my up and down days (today is a down day and i'm exusted!) but i've made my bed and now I have to lie in it. Next year will be better and more finacialy stable, since my debt is gone. I know it's worth it you just got to hang in there. This is silly but you have to something that makes you happy. When i'm having a rough day I stop by Starbucks and get my favorite drink. It's a temporary happiness but whatever does the trick, right? Andrea

I can certainly understand. I feel like I'm working about four jobs right now. Actually, I'm a little burned out on my cakes right now, but I keep pressing on because of commitments. I am so thankful that I can relax a little in a few months because my DH is getting a new job and it will take tons of pressure off of me to help bring in the family income. I'm expecting our first baby too, so I think that part of the burned out feeling is wacky hormones.

Right with you! I work in the school system, and my benefits are the reason I stay. You can't beat state benefits. Especially when one child is asthmatic, and another visually impaired. It saves so much $$$. Anyway, not only that, I'm taking my kids to and from school and work at their school, too. I normally work until 3pm, so deliveries are scheduled right after that time. It's nothing for me to be up until midnight or 1am. In fact, that's the norm. I get to bed, and am back up baking at 4am. It's so incredibly tiring, but seeing a satisfied customers' smile and thanks are worth every minute of lost sleep. One day, I hope to do my cakes, cookies, etc., full time, but for now, I'm content...just very, very tired and sleep-deprived. LOL. Good luck!!!

Thank you somerset! Your words are very encouraging. I printed them out and have them on my bulletin board where I can see them everyday! I'm glad right now that the door is not continually knocking with new clients. I know I would get burned out and loose my passion in a hurry. I have been praying and I know that the good Lord is listening. I'm learning to say no to cakes that I don't want to do or don't have time to do and especially cookies that take so much of your time. I think quality is much better than quantity not only for your customers but for your sake as well. Pam from Bama

Full time job and I not only do cakes but also catering. I'm "lucky" that my hours at 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so I have lots of afternoon time (I used to work until 5:00 and not get home until almost 6:00. Those extra hours after work are GREAT!!!!). I meet with 2-3 brides a week and I've had caterings every weekend for over 6 months. So with the samplings, the buying supplies, the planning, the baking, the cooking, and oh my god the CLEAN UP!!!!!!! ......... it gets a little nuts around here.

What helps me get thru it is something I saw on the food channel one day: "If you're starting your own business, don't expect to get any sleep!" So on the days that I'm running on only 4 hours sleep and feel like I just can't take one more step, I remember "Hey! This is normal! You're on track!" and it helps. It really does.

We have a standing joke in our house: "My husband is married to a caterer ..... so OF COURSE we live on fast food!" My son just returned from the Marines and he and my youngest daughter were out running errands and he asked her "What was mom cooking for dinner?" My daughter said, "Oh it may LOOK like mom's cooking dinner, but it's never for us!"

One of my favorite quotes: "People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it" .....George Bernard Shaw

The full time job is done this December. It's cakes and catering full time. Do or die.

I have worked in accounting for ninetten years and started decorating cakes in June. I had always wanted to take the Wilton classes but never got around to it. That was a bad decision on my part. I should have done it along time ago and I would have been long gone by now from my ever so boring job. I love decorating cakes and I plan on making a career change in the next year or so. I am in planning stages right now. My husband and kids are very supportive and so are all of my friends.
Financially we just can't do it yet but I know in the next year I will be saying goodbye to my job and starting a new one that I have passion for. I can't wait. If you have faith and determination you can make it happen!

I cannot help but sympathize with your situation. Your husband has RA @ 29 years old, that's sad. I started developing it about 11 years ago, and was not properly diagnosed until 3 years ago.

My advice to you is to limit the amount of cakes you can do in a certain time period. Your husband's medications are expensive, so if you have good health benefits, I would not be hasty to quit my job for a dream career.

I know many decorators who sell their cakes by appointment only. One friend, who is a famous decorator, just returned from 3 weeks in Italy, so it can be done!

Theresa

I cannot help but sympathize with your situation. Your husband has RA @ 29 years old, that's sad. I started developing it about 11 years ago, and was not properly diagnosed until 3 years ago.

My advice to you is to limit the amount of cakes you can do in a certain time period. Your husband's medications are expensive, so if you have good health benefits, I would not be hasty to quit my job for a dream career.

I know many decorators who sell their cakes by appointment only. One friend, who is a famous decorator, just returned from 3 weeks in Italy, so it can be done!

Theresa