Shop in town vs. shop on property Help! - Page 2

Here I am.

Whatever your retail hours are, I'd figure that you will be working twice that number of hours. Seriously if you're the owner of a startup biz and aren't willing to put in 50-60 hours a week with pretty much no employees you're not ready. With advertising, marketing, baking and consulting with brides, I easily put in those kind of hours - at home - many weeks.

I was building a career when my daughter was young. I was late to her grade school graduation, but I made it to see her walk across the stage. That's the level of the decisions you're going to be faced with when it's family vs. business. Was it worth it?

Yes.

Because when all is said and done, I kept a roof over our heads and MOST OF ALL my daughter grew up knowing that strong women can do anything. Anything.

yeah! Thank you leahs!
You articulated my problem perfectly.

I just looked at your site...you have some really awesome stuff!...you won't have any trouble drawing people to your place.

Good Luck!

Isn't it nice when you have peace about a decision. That means it's the right one for you.

I agonized over this same question and finally decided on a shop in town, after a couple of years of contemplation. My kids are bigger now, which changes everything. I wouldn't ever work away from home when they were smaller, but now they're in middle school and much more self-sufficient, and they're used to me always working from home, either doing medical transcription or running my DH's business.

We had decided to go ahead and build on our property this year, and as we were looking into it (my b.i.l. is a realtor, which really helps), a brand-new retail location about 10 minutes from here turned up, ready to build to suit, with really great terms, in a beautiful perfect spot for what I need. The whole thing is falling together perfectly, so I know this is the right decision now, though at first I wasn't ready to consider working 'somewhere else', and I'm still sort of in shock that it's Really Happening...but it's growing on me.

Since DH and I work together running his business already, we have gotten very good at juggling business requirements and stinkin' long hours, and we are good at keeping "work" out of our family time, which can take some doing--you have to be able to work together and still have a marriage that doesn't include a business meeting in every conversation... which we do. He keeps asking me if I know what I'm committing myself to, and I say, "I do....do YOU?" He's used to me always being here managing the entire household and our business, so I have to keep telling him that there will be times when *I* am not available because *I'm* at work...sorta like the 2 and 3 and 4 a.m. cake decorating marathons, only --hopefully-- it won't be as long or as late with the new ovens at the shop. (cross fingers)

You'll love having a place at home to go and work. Keep us posted on your progress, and best of luck!

I opened up 2 1/2 yrs. ago. I had a building on my property, so we upgraded to specifications. Some people thought I'd never get business, since I am in a rural location. WRONG!! Once people tried my food/cakes, they kept coming back & referring others to me. I've enlarged my building once, and am starting a new addition shortly.


Pros:
Having it on my own property, not much overhead, and I can run in & out whenever I want to. Customers are by appointment only. Works wonderfully!

Cons:
Haven't found any!

I agree with marissa, im in the process of putting my sweat and tears into a separate kitchen in our home. I hope to have it done by dec. thats my goal) IM TOO afraid to do it any other way. In my town cakes dond go for all that much and noone sells fondant cakes for over 2 hours away, and the wedding planner said Ill get lots of business but I just dont want the headache of rent and utilities in 2 places and such. I would say go for hme bus. then if it works out go for a shop later, thats what im planning on. good luck