I have a post a while back called "How to run a bakery". I see now, that we need to add to the list: "Deal with all the inquiries on how to start up your own cake decorating business"!

Thanks AllCakedOut! Great post. Re-educating the public on their misconceptions is a GREAT amount of effort. Doing that depends on how much time and energy you have when they stop by your booth/shop or give you a call! At the least, they can go back to their TV watching friends and say "hey, I just talked to an actual owner, and she said (this)." It may not discourage them, but in the HTRAB post, people added eye-opening things like "take out the trash!" and other fun monotonous stuff! Thanks.

I am one of those who wasnât born with the âgiftâ for cakes, but I have been trying for 2 years now, and Iâm not even 50% as good as all of you, but I believe I have the right to try, I do cakes just for family and friends. I donât believe I will ever do business
. But I am a florist, a good one, a wile ago, my neighbor appeared on my home door whit a bunch of flowers and staff, and ask me to teach her how to make a floral arrangement, she knew I had a flower shop, so she could call and order it instead, she wanted to learn so she could do it herself and save some money. Well I offer her to go and work for me to the flower shop, that way she learn and I can use the help. She now has a business , and sheâs doing well, and I am glad for her. I fell good that I had something to do whit it. Did, she took advantage of me ? I donât think so, I was given the opportunity to give something to some one. Itâs not a degree, or how much money do you have, or how good of a cake decorator you are what makes you a better person, itâs what you give, the way you take life. Why do we get upset , and waste so much energy on thing that are not important, () let them be, and if itâs in you teach give âthe giftâ of your knowledge when ever you can you will feel much better . I am a very spiritual person, and I believe every thing falls for itâs own weight, if somebody doesnât have what it takes to be in this business, sooner or later that person will find out thatâs itâs own path., what itâs meant for you is meant for you, and nobody can take it away, the more you give the more you receive. Seriously girls, the cc community is better that this, this is a place to teach and learn.

Okay, just want to throw my 2 cents in.

I agree with where allcakedout is coming from that some people see it, think they can do it and want someone to basically "teach them what they need to know for free" and if it happens frequently enough, you just get tired of it. I also know that everyone starts somewhere. Books don't help either. There is a book about easy business' to get started (I don't remember the name) but guess what's listed - cake decorator, along with professional organizer, shopper, etc. Someone found a way to make money - write a book to tell other people easy ways to make money but forget about the "skill" part.

My (I'll try to be quick) story: I always tried to decorate cakes and they looked lousy. My BF's mom and I decided to take the Wilton courses better - no plans to be a decorator. - this was in 1990. I took all of my practice cakes to work and they loved it. Over the next year, I ended up making around 3 cakes a week for co-workers and friends for different events that they had, including 4 weddings. After a year, I was burnt out and didn't ever get to just practice to improve my skill level. Thought about a business but couldn't do that then.

Broke up with BF, started dating my now husband and didn't want to spend every night in the kitchen. Got married, moved, still did a few cakes a year but working 80 hours a week now and no time for cake decorating.

Fast forward to present - great, supportive hubbyand I've missed cake decorating. Starting watching Food Network and my passion was ignited again. This time, I'm learning new skills that I never had time for before and semi-seriously thinking about opening a bakery in a year or 2. But before I do, I want to work in a bakery as a decorator to make sure I'm ready for this. I've had some health issues and need to make sure I'm ready for this. I'm not 25 anymore. I would hope that the person that I work for won't think that I'm 'using' them if I work for them and then later start my own business. I may decide I don't want a business and work for them as a decorator. I'll never be a Bronwen, or Duff, or Collette, but I can make decent cakes that taste good that people will enjoy. Even now, I take a cake somewhere and people are wowed and tell me I should open a business. I know it's not that easy.

I guess I'm one of those ppl that a lot of others don't like. I just recently started doing cakes/cookies for family and friends and have been asked to take them on as a more serious undertaking. My sister runs a nonprofit organization and has basically given me all their business (should I want it) for their functions. I woudl LOVE to have my own business for this stuff. I love baking and cooking and find this to be a wonderful outlet for my creativity. However, I have just now started trying to find out how to go about doing this and yes, ask questions of other bakers. There are not many home businesses in my area (that I am aware of) of this nature, so I've really leaned on the ppl here on cc. I've not taken any classes yet, but hope to soon.

I guess I am unsure of what is meant by "business-minded", but I hope I can figure it out because I would love to do this as a way to contribute to some income (I'm currently a stay at home mom) and still have something that I enjoy.

But why open a business?

That's what I don't get. I just don't get why everyone thinks they need to open their own business to do this.

If *cakes* are a person's passion, I think it makes far more sense to either teach, or to decorate cakes for someone else's business. I don't know about the rest of you, but time I spend on decorating vs time I spend doing "business" stuff... I'm pretty sure the percentages are WAY off from where these people are guessing them to be!

The friends and family, I don't understand either. Why is it always "You should start a business", and not "You should get a job doing this"?

Just ranting!

I read this post last night before bed, and have read all the other comments thus far. I totally understand the need to vent, and I totally understand that there are ppl out there that have no idea what is involved in cake decorating, or many other hobbies/professions. I think, what is difficult for many of us, is that in the OP, "housewives" and "students" were thrown out there pretty generally. When one starts tossing out labels, there is going to be a response...good, bad, and in between! No one likes to see a thread get nasty, and we all obviously love the opportunity we have here on CC to share! Thanks to all who participate!

Ok I read all the post and this is getting interesting. I kind of understand what the op meant. I got a call from a family member asking me if I would make centerpiece cakes for her wedding to go on each table. I said sure. I had to drive to the wedding anyway b/c my dd is in it. She called again and asked could I make cupcakes instead I said sure. Then she said I want mini cakes instead. I said think about it and call me back. I called her and said how do you like them she said they are nice. Then she says how long did it take you to take the wilton classes. I said I dont remember it was 3 years ago. I think three months. She says "I think I'm going to take those classes, I like making things and Im really crafty." I was like ok have fun taking those classes. If she only knew that it takes hours sometimes to do one cake. I've stayed up to 5 am before and then went to deliver the cake by 9. It is hard work.

I've always loved to cook and bake and use to do it growing up. I dreamed of going to culinary school and decided it was too expensive for my mom so I went to business school in stead. Didnt love it so I changed major and took education. My mom owned a daycare and I said to myself I love children I can do that. After working in a daycare for a year I realized I hated parents and some of those kids really pushed my buttons. I got married and started baking again and my husband was floored. I didnt mean to start a business I just couldnt afford to keep making cookies for his job for free bc they loved my baking. I began charging just to cover cost then realized I needed to charge for my gas and electricity by bills were skyrocketing. Two years later I'm still baking. I dont get a lot of business maybe 2 cakes a month. I'm not sure that even constitutes as a business. I'm trying though.

I hope my aunt has fun taking those classes and sees how hard it really is to make cakes. It also takes a natural talent I believe. Did I mention that she opened a daycare b/c my mom had one and said it would be good money and now hates it. She also asked me to make her cookies once and she payed for them I mailed them to her. She says after she gets them that she broght some tins and was going to sell them. I wanted to just laugh. She then asked for my recipe. I gave it to her and her cookies turned out horrible. lol She wants to do everything in life and feels she can. I say do what you are good at and stop trying to be a cake decorator, daycare owner, designer, chef, artist, wedding planner, etc etc. All at once. That's why there is just more than one person on the planet. I want to open a bussiness but Im just not there yet. I know its illegal but I'm not going to invest all this money to open a business and I cant do it. I have to prove my self first. When I can get like 15 cakes in a week then I know Im on the right track. Wish me luck I want this and I want it bad. Sorry its so long

double post

I agree, we are here to help each other. Many times it is to give advice on cake decorating. Sometimes it is just to be here and let our cc friends vent and understand their frustration. I am pleased to read the posts that show we can really "hear" someone's opinion, question, reflect, respond and relate. How great that most posts show interest and try to understand her viewpoint from her experience. We can disagree,question, then reconsider and understand. How can we be better than this? How many of us can not relate to her problem? I am interested in knowing if anyone has a job/career that others haven't told them is sooooo easy-they could do it better, or had a time at work where you felt overworked, under appreciated and under paid?

I understand you have a very good business sense. You have made that clear. But why cakes? You could have decorated for family and friends, and opened another business. You seem to complain about the amount of work that goes into it, and I'm sure you could have found something easier.

Wow, as an career development professional who loves to decorate cakes, this thread is one of the most intriguing posts I've read in a long time. The debates and opinions are all so passionate. And from a professional standpoint, NO ONE IS WRONG!

Take a step back and look at it through someone else's eyes. The business owner with previous business building skills simply wants to protect her previous educational and career investment along with the time and monetary investment of buying and running a business. In addition he/she cherishes their artistic abilities and values their own style and brand of creativity from competition. There is nothing wrong with this.

Intrinsically, it all boils down to territory. Sort of like a bakers' turf war.

Do you have to be formally educated to market and run a successful cake decorating business? NO.

Can you take Wilton Classes and run a successful cake decorating business? YES.

Who will be better or more successful?

Only the customers can decide.

No matter what your experiences are, always remember that your talent will make room for you.

My point is that if you didn't have a passion for cakes you wouldn't have done it, and your passion was bigger than family and friends. I'm sure others feel the same way, and that's why they are calling you to see about having a business themselves.

I totally understand the venting issue. It's so easy for people to "crititque" another person's work when they dont know how to do things.

We all learn from it. Sometimes it comes back to bite you that is not fun!

The last couple of years I have brought cakes to events and parties, last summer a friend of mine called and asked if I would teach he girls some basics.
I did presentations for basic cake decorating to Girl Guides and had lots of fun.
The first thing I told them was.... this is so much fun and it's a lot of work. I have a cake here I will cut/fill/ice and it will only take a few minutes. you have to remember it took a couple of hours to get here. Purchase ingredients.... bake ... make icing... clean up. It's a lot of fun but a lot of work. Once people factor this in, sometimes they rethink it.

My friend came over with her 2 girls and 2 more girls. I had 10 pounds of fondant and gave them the basics. The girls covered a cake and decorated it. It was fun, we all learned a lot and they had a blast. They do this for fun now. They are 9 and 6. Give them a few years and they will be really good.

It was fun and I liked it. I totally agree with the posts about the business work vs the cake work. A business is about 80% business and maybe 10 % cake other is 10% cleanup!

I love cake. I would like to do more and get paid for it but that is not in the cards right now. Everyone says you should do it as a business... I would love to but I have no funds or time .... so when someone wants to give me a loan and the kids are grown I will see.

Good Luck.

I guess I can understand the OP's post on some points, but it does come across as though she is more entitled to success than others just because she was born knowing how to cook or has a business degree. But there are people out there whose businesses have failed even though they've had a degree. A degree isn't EVERYTHING. Not to say it isn't something that helps... But look at Paula Deen - she was agorophobic and depressed and a housewife - now she's on top of the culinary game! A little determination, talent, luck never helps, either!

[quoBut why open a business?

That's what I don't get. I just don't get why everyone thinks they need to open their own business to do this.

If *cakes* are a person's passion, I think it makes far more sense to either teach, or to decorate cakes for someone else's business. I don't know about the rest of you, but time I spend on decorating vs time I spend doing "business" stuff... I'm pretty sure the percentages are WAY off from where these people are guessing them to be!

The friends and family, I don't understand either. Why is it always "You should start a business", and not "You should get a job doing this"?

Just ranting!te]

I would want to start my own business so that I not only have control over when I work and what projects I take on, but it would also allow me to still stay at home with my children versus working hours that someone else chooses for me.

I don't understand why OP cares so much if people want to open a bakery on a whim. What is it to you? Live your life and don't worry about them. Let them find out. Personally, I think it's bad karma what you're saying. You seem really judgmental. I would be afraid to be spouting off so much especially if I was only in business about a year. It's been a year! Who are you to judge?

Sorry, but I don't agree with the OP. This is America, where people have been making their dreams come true for centuries, despite their background or barriers.
I am a housewife. I would watch the Food Network and think, I can do that! I made a cake. It was awesome. I sat down with Bronwen and asked her questions about her business. I contacted other bakeries just like the people who annoy you, and got tons of great info. Made more cakes. I set up a website. Business started pouring in. I'm now successful. Just because I also happen to be a housewife, and just because I had a dream, does not make me into a loser for following that dream.
I get these calls all the time. My thought is, the ones who can't decorate will quickly be weeded out. But it isn't up to me to decide who will and will not make it-housewife, dreamer, whoever.

Oh whatever. Obviously a GOOD chunk of what I'm saying is getting lost here.

"What is it" to me? Hey,I don't care if someone opens on a whim. It just bugs the shit out of me when they insult me and waste my time to do so!! It's judgemental because I don't like getting insulted / having my time wasted??

But whatever, I give up.