Hey everyone...I just needed to vent about something so here goes...

I am trying to start my own cake/cookie business and recently went to a local coffee shop to see if they'd be interested in some of my cookies. The owner seemed very interested and asked me if I had a license from the local health department. I told him no. He said to come back when I did and we could discuss it further. As I was talking to him, I noticed some cookies that they were selling were made by a woman I know and I had to hold my tongue. I KNOW that this person does not have a license from the dept. of health. Did she lie to this business owner about it? She doesn't seem like the kinda person that would do this but there is no other explanation! I am mad because I know she has been selling cookies to places like this coffee shop for over a year now and selling custom cakes from her home for over 2 years! Is this the only way to get ahead? Lie? I wanted to tell this man that she didn't have her license but I didn't know how to do it without ruining my chances to later sell to him. Anyways, that's my story. So frustrating!

That is a tricky situation. If it bothers you that bad, you might engage him in casual conversation about her cookies. If it "comes up in conversation" you will find out more about the situation. In cases like these it's good (but hard) not to assume anything. She may indeed be licensed -- you don't know if she's taken that step or not. And whatever you do, remember that evil speaking and gossip will shoot you in the foot, no matter where you are!!! How professionally you deal with this is how professionally you will deal with him and he will be aware of this. Good luck!

I might be the only one to say this but I think you should just let it go get your license when you can and approach the store agian. It would be very childish for you to have a well if i cant do it she cant ethier attitude. im not saying thats what you have but to go in there and tattle on someone else who like all of us is just trying to make a living at her craft would be wrong. It sounds like you did the right thing and that you have a very good chance of selling in his shop's once you are licensed.

I have to agree with Heather. I am not lisc. but know I need to be to sell to the public.

I do know Texas has VERY heafty fines for breaking that law. If you sell to someone like that you should be lisc. just to save yourself a lot of grief and fines if you got caught.

The way I see it is that you have no idea what the situation is with this other baker and the owner....maybe she uses his kitchen to bake the cookies....and if you said something it would only make you look bad. I think when you get your license you should go back and try it again...it sounds like a good opportunity.

There's a lady who owns a local bakery around here who is actually keeping a file on me! I must pose some serious competition for her...

Just the fact that there is any file means I'm a threat to her! I think it's silly myself but there's all kinds in this world. Personally I have nothing to be ashamed of so I really don't care what kind of file she has. I'm content to think of her as "President of my Fan Club!"

To the people that said I don't know what her situation is...I actually do. I have been to her home and know a very close member of her family. I know she does her baking in her home (which you CANNOT do in texas AND have a license) and I was told that she has been fined once. I would not said that I KNOW she doesn't have a license if I did I didn't know it for a fact. All I am saying is that this chain coffee shop sells her cookies and is under the impression that she has a license when IN FACT she does not. I do think that the Texas law about having an off sight kitchen is garbage, but lying isn't the way to go. I am happy that she is having such success but I am annoyed that she had to take this route and wonder if she would have had as much success if she had been honest.

It's true, lying is never profitable. What good is it if you gain the world yet lose yourself in the process?

maybe she is not lying maybe the shop was willing to take her on without a license and even if she is lying it is not your concern its not hurting you and were you not trying to sell to that coffee shop unlicensed as well good for you that you chose not to lie about your situation but let it go theres nothing you can do about it anyway what are you going to do call the shop owner call lincense police that would only ruin your rep I know it sucks but for your own mental state i would just let it go.

I wouldn't really worry so much about her or her situation. Just get licensed and be legal so you can make your business profitable. She's going to eventually get caught anyway, so don't sweat it.

Good luck!
Angie

Ok you all got me interested here, just what do you have to do to get licensed and when you sell to these people do they get some of the profits and if so how much? Thanks all........................I think being honest if tuff in this world but I also believes it pays off. I won't lie for money or nothing my rep is more important to me. Of course that's probably why I'm only working for friends and family. I want to venture out but kinda afraid to. Take care all and happy baking.