Alright, I have the opportunity to go in business here in San Diego. A city a couple of minutes away has a catering company that is willing to rent out time to use their commercial kitchen.

The problem is that they want $800 for Sunday-Thursday 4-12 (midnight). That comes to be $5 per hour.

I COULD NOT AFFORD THAT EVEN IF I SAVED UP MY ALLOWANCE FOR 4 MONTHS!

And I don't need that much time anyway. I have a $160 allowance per month but don't want to invest all of it- it could bring me into ruin.

If I only want Sunday and Thursday, how do I convince them to let me have that for $130 or something like that?

I mean, I have to get clientele first and so how do I start from nothing? It's a risk that I know I'm going to have to take, but what steps should I take to avoid complete failure?

Furthermore, since I'm under 18, do I still have to file taxes for the business etc., or does the business owner do that?

Thank you.

The lady said to me that "That won't even pay the electric bill. . ." So I have to come up w/ a strategy for them to let me have the time.

And when I actually go in, how in the world do I get them to take me seriously? I mean, who would even talk "business" over the phone with me if they knew I was 15?

The lady said, "I hear noise in the back so I assume your a college student? When you give me a call later in the week, be sure to tell me how we can work around your schedule to accommodate you. . ."

When she asked, I said, "Yes, I am at school right now."

I think you need to be more patient. At your age, you can't even enter into a legal contract. It is highly unlikely you can convince them to let you in without a contract.

It would be good for you to practice- flowers, fondant, baking- all the components of decorated cakes. You should also start recipe testing for yourself, unles you plan to base your business on mixes for icing and cake. Everyone has their own favorites, you have to develop yours.

it would also be a good idea to decide what kind of cakes you want for your business.

Single layer tiers, double layers with filling, 3 layers with filling or two layers torted with filling. Choosing a 'style' of cake is something you can do for your future business.

For example, my business plan does not include small birthday cakes or any form of character (especially the licensed ones). I do some birthday cakes, but I have a $25 minimum regardless of size. I also decided that for the most part, I won't do cakes that look like something else- cellphones, robots, that sort of thing. I don't have the skill or desire to do that kind of work. I do have some purse cakes in my gallery. Those are a bit different and fun for me.

While you hone your skills, you can think about all the other details required for a decorating business.

Thanks JoAnnB. I guess I'll just have to wait; I didn't even think about the contract. Oh well, a couple of more years. Stupid CA and their laws. . .

Maybe there are other people, who like you, don't want to dive in for that amount. Could you set up a co-op and share? Can an adult co-sign on the contract for you? Ask. You have nothing to lose, and you might find a solution that works for you.

I was thinking of talking to some other CC members in the area to see if they'd want to. . .but then again it is the internet.

If I work for myself, do I have to follow the law that says that no one under 16 can bake anything at work? Or does that just apply to working for someone else?

And I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. . .

I don't know about the laws and such. But $160 a month for allowance. I best not tell my 16 yr old son your allowance. He doesn't even get one. But I do buy him things he needs. He has a paper route that doesn't even pay that much. He is now able to get a job most people won't hire anyone under the age of 16. So good luck on your endeavor.