After reading 8 pages, I want to add my thoughts. I am no dummy, I understood the point the OP was making...it's just those labels that are thrown around so freely these day. AllCakedOut, maybe you didn't give that a thought when venting.
Just last night, watching MSNBC, Hardball...I was miffed once again by comments of a contributing journalist...get this, not verbatim...when talking about how a group of people "don't get" Senator Obama..."these people" as described were WAITRESS TYPES...DOWN-SCALE STAY AT HOME WOMEN!!!
These same type labels were thrown around during the primary, less educated, (in other words, dumb) working class, gun toting, pickup truck driving, trailer living blue collar workers, AND older white women....talk about pi$$ed off.
My point, labels offend, you cannot group people under a label, you can say something about an individual and be true, but not everyone who came at you wanting advice was an idiot I am sure.
Yeah, I had my own business, ran for 5 years, it is a LOT of hard work, LONG hours and when I gave it up I swore I would never work for myself again, as I was harder on myself than any employer would be. But, I fulfilled a dream...lol which turned out to be a nightmare.
Last but not least, AllCakedOut, people do get hot with opinions, and in the end everyone comes together and this will soon be forgot and on to something else....Welcome
I have not gone through all the posts so I am posting to the original poster only. Haven't most or even ALL of us started somewhere? We start with the first cake we make, the first class we take, or the first cake we sell.
It is no different from the person who wants to go to college to be a teacher. I am a teacher/school administrator, and I can surely give advice to someone thinking about a career in education. Whether or not they are good at it or qualified is not for me to judge.
I don't know, I just find the original post to be snooty.
If someone came to me with the same question, I would tell them to take some courses and bake many cakes before they think about a business.
A mindless shopping trip...leaning into the chocolate shoppes and coffee huts while DREAMING of fitting into that gooooooooooorgeous dress from BCBG(I thought it read BOGO...I wandered in for an eye opener...shikaka!!! uh...it ain't BOGO to be sure!)....
shoes????
a new tube of lipstick???
anyone?
I notice a couple different kinds of people.. the first (and most prevalent!) is the person - usually a housewife or student - who emails to say that they are an artist and/or big fan of Ace of Cakes, and have decided that Cakes are *THE THING* they were meant to do with their life. They want to open a business, and either need advice ("Where do I start??"), or want to work for free to get experience before going out on their own.
The other is the recent culinary student who usually goes to a crappy school (that they picked off a TV commercial during horrible daytime talk shows, I bet!), then decides they know ABSOLUTELY everything about the biz, and either wants advice / work for free as above.
Well, since I was the first to "be offended" I will just say, after I posted last night I had to shut off the computer. I was just too hurt. I think the OP was attacking a specific group of people. And whether it was directed at me or not, I took offense to it. It really didn't have as much to do with cake decorating for me as it did the demeaning portrayal of a housewife sitting at home watching soap opera and trying to find a better life for herself. I guess I took it too personally. I love my life. I love my husband and I love that I have made the decision to stay home and raise my boys. It was way deeper for me. I guess I should have kept my mouth shut.
I do not feel sorry for the OP. I know she is new. I however, have raised my boys to know that when you hurt someone, even if it was unintentional, you say you are sorry. I haven't once heard her say " I'm really sorry, this wasn't how it was intended." The only time she said she was sorry was sarcastically.
I am sorry for my part in this, although I don't feel as though I attacked anyone, I did fan the flames.
Ps. I have recently been thinking of asking the one cake bakery in town if I could apprentice for her for free... Boy, I'm glad I didn't make that mistake... 
~Mindy
I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean to be attacking anyone if that's what it was viewed as....I just felt like I was inferior being a decorator from home/housewife/mom and not a businesswoman/man with formal training.
I'm all up for shopping! How about shoes first and then chocolate? lol
Well, I started making cake about 12 years ago for my boys for their birthdays, long before Ace of Cakes... I guess I am just that kind of "housewife" I would love to start a business so day. I guess maybe I'm not entitled to that dream since I've only been able to take "Wilton courses". I am deeply hurt, offended and discouraged by this post and now feel like this isn't the warm helpful place I thought it was.
I saw this thread and thought I'm not going to read all these post, I have cake stuff to do 
.
I'm glad I read your response. I know where the writer is coming from. People think this is what they want to do for 15 min.
I started baking when I was 13. Every place I've ever worked has always told me I should own a Bakery. People at my DH's work would pay me to make them a cake. But when it came to BDs they wanted a decorated cake and I didn't know how to do that.
When my DD became pregnant I thought I want to make all his BD cakes and bake for all the schools Bake Sales. I took all the Wilton classes. I could tell that some that were in the class by class 2 or certainly by class 3 they fizzled out. It only made me want to do it all the more.
I couldn't believe how much I loved it. I'm alwasy trying new things. I am sorry to say I have a couple thousand dollars invested in cake toys. But I love it.
Most all of my cakes are done for free for friends and family. Occasionaly I get an order for a Wedding Cake, so far the Cake Police hasn't come to put me in the Cake Prision.
On this site there are a couple of very nasty subjects. Dare I say the "license vs non-license" or the "scratch vs box" or the "Betty Crocker vs. Ducan Hines" for me the most annoying one "trademark infridgement". They seem to always turn ugly. Ocassionally threads have to be locked or deleted.
It was a lot of fun when I first joined and then we got new members that seemed to be thrilled to point a figure and tell others you can't do that and scare the dickens out of new Bakers.
I know there was a time they had to kick members out because they were so mean to other members. I sometimes wonder if they turned around and rejoined other another name. There is nothing that can be done about that.
I guess what I'm trying to say that there are a lot of nice members here. Some of us have different opinions and can voice them without being rude about it. Then the others I don't know what to say about them.
If you enjoy your cake decorating keep doing it, I can give you a 100 reasons to continue. If your dream is to open a Bakery don't lose your dream.
Personally I would do my research on my own. Some are too lazy and it's easier to ask someone that's done it a zillion questions and those are the ones that will never follow through. I'm not saying I may never ask an experience member a question, but it would be unique and not one I could simply google.
Good luck with your dreams.
Anyone wanna go shopping????
LOL I'M IN!!! I need to go swimsuit shopping before I go camping this weekend....FUN FUN FUN!!!!!
Edited to add: OMG! MY SIL JUST CAME IN TO P/U HER KIDS AND SAID BATH AND BODY WAS HAVING A 90%OFF SALE ON SOME OF THEIR STUFF!!! WANNA GO!!!
I'm have a degree in interior design and I work as a kitchen designer. I think the cake business is experiencing what the design business went though thanks to HGTV and shows like Trading Spaces (which is the most HORRIBLE design show ever!).
I have had people basically tell me they can do what I do because they sit on the couch and watch these shows 10 hours a day. Ummm, don't think so but go ahead and try. Just don't call me when you screw it up..no on second though do call me. I charge double to fix screw ups..lol.
This not only applies to the design world. I was in the IT field for 25 years, and when people starting getting computers at home, they felt they were experts at computers. When I was doing desktop support a few years back, I spent most of the day fixing what people screwed up because they thought they knew everything!
I do also have to double about the emails about "Can I come work for you for free". I actually had one person send me a ton of photos and asked me if they could come over and have me show them what to do, and teach them everything I know. I didn't know this person from adam, and I never replied to them.
I agree 1000 percent that 50% of this business is knowing how to market, accounting, buyer research, taxes and licensing. I *WISH* all I had to do all day was decorate cakes! Glamorous? I love a good challenge, and get very excited when I get to do something besides a buttercream cake, with ribbon along the bottom and swiss dots. I love what BWebber says "Never say no" to a design! hahaha!
I hit that sweet 3rd year this year, where business is booming and I now have a five month waiting list! (even with raising my prices..!) But it has been a rough year as my DH was laid off 6 months ago and it is looking more and more like I will probably have to close down the biz and go back to a full time job (Mainly need the benefits) . That is the other thing..you make money doing this, but unfortantly, in these economic times, its not enough!
If someone came to me with the same question, I would tell them to take some courses and bake many cakes before they think about a business.
I can understand where you are coming from...and when I receive emails that state "I want to start my own business, do you know where I can go to get information?" I send them the info and web sites, and even some inspection hints. (A few people even on this site can attest to that!) I even had a competitor I met at a bridal show come over one day and I gave her a tour of my bakery. I don't mind helping another fellow hard working SERIOUS baker!
But I dont think that is what we are talking about..at least not me. I am talking about these people who email you, who watch Ace of Cakes or challenges and say "Hey, I can do that" and think they can just come over and watch you and then open their buisness. Its insulting. I worked hard to learn to do what I do, and I am still learning (that is part of the fun) They have this additude that anyone can do it! I like to see how they feel about the business while they are enjoying a nice Saturday afternoon by the pool while I am out deliverying cakes all day?
Bugs me when people do.. especially when they take my time (calling me while I'm working, emailling me, interrupting me at events, etc) and basically insult me in the process.
A quote that I remember seeing at work one day said
" Customers are not an interruption of our work, they are the reason for it".
Maybe these people that are calling, emailing, and interrupting your work with questions, would have been potential customers, or friends of potential customers.
Well, I guess I am one of those idiots you are referring to. I called two of the bakers in my area, I knew worked in fondant, and asked if they would be interested in taking on a intern. They must both be cynical too, because they both turned me down, without even trying to see what my talent might have been. .
I have a question for you: Have you ever written to your mechanic and asked him to teach you to change the oil of your car, so you can do it yourself? (and not pay him for his time or his materials) How about your local Air conditioner company or TV repair guy..Have you ever asked them to show you how to repair your appliances? (again, not pay them for thier time) They know you aren't thinking of going into business, that you just "want to learn" . They would turn you down too. Even if you could change the oil of your car in your sleep. They much rather take on the kid who just finished vocational training and he can just say to him "Go change the oil". He may have to show him where everything is, but he won't have to turn down customers because he is busy showing him how to change the oil. When you own a business, time is money. Every single second of the day. Even 3 am . If you are REALLY serious about learning how to decorate a cake, apply for a paying job, show you are worth the pay, and be a valuable part of that business. I am not being cynical, I am not trying to be mean, and I am not cutting down anyone who wants to be a decorator. I am just trying to point out to you that business is business, and if you want to be treated seriously, you have to present yourself seriously.
Look, you got angry at the woman at the wedding who looked at a cake you had decorated and said "I could do that". She was just saying what she thought.
No that's just tacky and rude. I personally would have shown my very ugly side to this witch with a capital "b". Completely uncalled for! I just really think people don't stop to think these days about courtesy.
Can I also input here that I think a lot less people would get offended if we read posts with a sarcastic silly voice in our heads rather than a mean snobby voice? I constantly try to teach my kids that they should always think the best of people, not the worst.
I love your "sarcastic silly voice" that is usually me.
You are right about being rude and tacky.
But on the other shoe...... I was at a wedding last week of a very good friend. I wanted so much to do her wedding cake but the hall she really wanted said they had to go with their decorator.
As always the first thing I did is go over and look at the Wedding cake. I was horrified. The frosting hadn't been smoothed and they flopped on a rose that looked like it was melting.
Yes, I stood there and said OMG, I could have done better than that. I know I was bad. But then when everyone went up to get their cake sat down and took a bite you should have seen how many pushed it away, it was nasty.
First Wedding I'd ever been to where I had to get up and get my own cake. Things I guess change.
A little of the subject, but...I have to stop and laugh at myself for a second! The 1st time I looked at CC, I saw the "Warning! This site is highly addictive!" message and I thought to myself, oh puleeeze, addictive?!! I would be embarassed to admit how many times I have checked this thread, and others, just today!
Well, I guess I am one of those idiots you are referring to. I called two of the bakers in my area, I knew worked in fondant, and asked if they would be interested in taking on a intern. They must both be cynical too, because they both turned me down, without even trying to see what my talent might have been. .
I have a question for you: Have you ever written to your mechanic and asked him to teach you to change the oil of your car, so you can do it yourself? (and not pay him for his time or his materials) How about your local Air conditioner company or TV repair guy..Have you ever asked them to show you how to repair your appliances? (again, not pay them for thier time) They know you aren't thinking of going into business, that you just "want to learn" . They would turn you down too. Even if you could change the oil of your car in your sleep. They much rather take on the kid who just finished vocational training and he can just say to him "Go change the oil". He may have to show him where everything is, but he won't have to turn down customers because he is busy showing him how to change the oil. When you own a business, time is money. Every single second of the day. Even 3 am . If you are REALLY serious about learning how to decorate a cake, apply for a paying job, show you are worth the pay, and be a valuable part of that business. I am not being cynical, I am not trying to be mean, and I am not cutting down anyone who wants to be a decorator. I am just trying to point out to you that business is business, and if you want to be treated seriously, you have to present yourself seriously.
Thank you Lorie for pointing this out so eloquently.
I wanna go shopping! Now who's got some money I can have?
I haven't read this entire thread (just don' t have time) but I do have to address the well, out and out nastiness that is coming across from both people who are being nasty and those who are perceiving messages as being nasty.
This isn't the only thread like this. I have said this before...what is going on with everyone? I have been on this site for gosh, three years? I have learned more on this site then I did at Wilton classes, culinary classes and even nicholas lodge and cake conventions and all of those things! Things relating to business, to baking, to decorating, to buy supplies. Invaluable! I don't understand why everyone feels they have to be hurtful to others or call others names. People are just stating how they feel, maybe they are venting, maybe they are havng a bad day. But do step back and look around you and remember this is a helpful, fun site. And that we are all the same..we have a deep love for cake decorating. Be it doing it for 500 years, doing it for 5 minutes.
I have said this before...what is going on with everyone?
I've got the answer. Because with 2000 people on this site at any given time and I'm guessing that the majority are women, statistically you will have at least 1/4 of them hormonally up...that's 500 woman, 500 of them hormonally down, 500 of them hormonally handicapped and the rest just grouchy for no good reason at all. And don't forget the pregnant ones who go through all of the above through the course of one day(you really have to watch out for them) 
Now let's go shopping and stop fussing. I've never seen any hormone problem that can't be solved by spending some money!
Because I came at it as entrepreneur first, decorator second
I not someone that is, urm.. shall we say "employable". LOL. Way too Type A
Shocking!
I get it, it's totally ok to take shots at / outright insult me, because I ranted about something in general that people may have ended up seeing in themselves.
I get it, I was wrong, I'm a horrible person, and I totally deserve the personal attacks. Thanks.
I do agree with you here. Personal attacks are not warrented.
I have said this before...what is going on with everyone?
I've got the answer. Because with 2000 people on this site at any given time and I'm guessing that the majority are women, statistically you will have at least 1/4 of them hormonally up...that's 500 woman, 500 of them hormonally down, 500 of them hormonally handicapped and the rest just grouchy for no good reason at all. And don't forget the pregnant ones who go through all of the above through the course of one day(you really have to watch out for them)
Now let's go shopping and stop fussing. I've never seen any hormone problem that can't be solved by spending some money!
hahaha! Don't forget us old ladies, who don't have anymore hormones left. (which I kind of like!)
And I love this idea of shopping, especially if its to Norcross, to Nicholas Lodge's gallery. The man has about 1000 chocolate molds alone. You guys can have your italian shoes...give me some good cutters!
If someone came to me with the same question, I would tell them to take some courses and bake many cakes before they think about a business.
I can understand where you are coming from...and when I receive emails that state "I want to start my own business, do you know where I can go to get information?" I send them the info and web sites, and even some inspection hints. (A few people even on this site can attest to that!) I even had a competitor I met at a bridal show come over one day and I gave her a tour of my bakery. I don't mind helping another fellow hard working SERIOUS baker!
But I dont think that is what we are talking about..at least not me. I am talking about these people who email you, who watch Ace of Cakes or challenges and say "Hey, I can do that" and think they can just come over and watch you and then open their buisness. Its insulting. I worked hard to learn to do what I do, and I am still learning (that is part of the fun) They have this additude that anyone can do it! I like to see how they feel about the business while they are enjoying a nice Saturday afternoon by the pool while I am out deliverying cakes all day?
As usual, well put Lorie!!!!
hahaha! Don't forget us old ladies, who don't have anymore hormones left. (which I kind of like!)
I didn't forget about you because I am well on my way there myself. (Is it getting hotter in here?) You are the hormonally handicapped!!
The OP has no reason to apologize as stated on page 9, she didn't say anything directly at anyone as some have done to her. I have read every page and post and i can certainly see where the OP is coming from. I am a housewife and I also bake cakes on occasion (long before Ace of Cakes)and maybe one day I would like to open a business. But in no way was I offened by anything she said. I would not ever assume I could call a bakery in my area and ask them how to get started. I have done the research myself as it should be. Same with a mechanic and repair man as stated. I wouldn't dare call them either
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, just as she is. But that is no reason to call names and be so freakin rude, if it offended you, well get over it. I can offend plenty of people on here just by saying something stupid like "dogs are gross". Plenty of people will ASSUME i'm saying they are as well just by owning one. Well you know what happens when you ASSUME, you make an A** out of U and ME.
oh by the way i don't really think dogs are gross, just an example
Look, you got angry at the woman at the wedding who looked at a cake you had decorated and said "I could do that". She was just saying what she thought.
No that's just tacky and rude. I personally would have shown my very ugly side to this witch with a capital "b". Completely uncalled for! I just really think people don't stop to think these days about courtesy.
Can I also input here that I think a lot less people would get offended if we read posts with a sarcastic silly voice in our heads rather than a mean snobby voice? I constantly try to teach my kids that they should always think the best of people, not the worst.
I love your "sarcastic silly voice" that is usually me.
You are right about being rude and tacky.
But on the other shoe...... I was at a wedding last week of a very good friend. I wanted so much to do her wedding cake but the hall she really wanted said they had to go with their decorator.
As always the first thing I did is go over and look at the Wedding cake. I was horrified. The frosting hadn't been smoothed and they flopped on a rose that looked like it was melting.
Yes, I stood there and said OMG, I could have done better than that. I know I was bad. But then when everyone went up to get their cake sat down and took a bite you should have seen how many pushed it away, it was nasty.
First Wedding I'd ever been to where I had to get up and get my own cake. Things I guess change.
Oh honey, I went to one a few months ago, friend of my sil, she took two of her girlfriends as her "dates". Exceptionally expensive wedding. When I saw the cake I almost fell out. I'm convinced any joe blow who watches ace of cakes and decides they want to make cakes could have done it. Hands down the poorest done wedding cake I've ever seen. People know me as "the cake lady" so I try to be careful when observing other's work and will always be as complimentary as I can be. But WOW...and everyone was walking past saying....ohhhh....hmm.
I still would NEVER be so brash as to say "OH I BAKE. I COULD DO THAT EASILY."
I did not personally attack her. I simply stated that I was hurt by what she said. And Yes, I feel that if you hurt someone, then you should apologize, even if it's just to say "I'm sorry that you took it wrong." But, I guess that is just me.
I want to thank all of you wonderful women for have given me so much support and help. I will be leaving the board for a while. I really have had my feeling hurt by this. They are my feeling and I am entitled to feel them. I am even hurt by the last poster saying that I didn't have any reason to feel this way... Maybe my skin is just too thin. I don't have a lot of experience dealing with other people. I'm pretty much a home body. Maybe that's what my problem is.
I have really enjoyed getting to know you all.
~Mindy
You know somethin'? I don't know if I ever thanked loriemoms for her helpful information when I was looking. I was trying to make sure I had everything done legally...and you were in my state and sometimes the sites with all the information can be overwhelming and confusing and I'm one of those readers, that after a couple of paragraphs, fall asleep...doze off...kinda painful when the forehead continuously makes contact with the forehead.
Thank you loriemoms and all the others on here for your helpful information!
As for shopping...I decided to order pizza...getting out and about would mean I'd have to put a leash on the puppies and I'm too relaxed for that now.
I told my girls about the b&bw sale...they screamed thank you!!! so, thanks for that tip too sarahnichole975
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%